SHIMA SEIKI to Showcase WHOLEGARMENT® Knitting and Digital Solutions at Pitti Filati 99
Japanese knitting technology specialist to present WHOLEGARMENT® machinery, 3D design software and digital services at Pitti Immagine Filati 99 in Florence.
Leading Japanese computerized knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD., along with SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., will exhibit at Pitti Immagine Filati 99 in Florence, Italy. The company will once again participate in the CustomEasy section, which highlights customization through textile machinery and design software.
At its booth, SHIMA SEIKI will showcase its WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology, design and knit software, and a range of digital web services.
WHOLEGARMENT® Knitting Technology
The exhibition will feature the MACH2®XS173 WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine in 8L, equipped with four needle beds and SHIMA SEIKI's SlideNeedle™ technology.
The machine is capable of producing complete knitwear in a single piece without linking or sewing. While finer gauges continue to be widely used, the company will demonstrate renewed interest in coarser gauges by knitting a Norwegian sweater on the machine.
APEXFiz® 3D Design Software
SHIMA SEIKI will also present APEXFiz®, its subscription-based design software supporting fashion development from planning and design to colourway evaluation, realistic fabric simulation and 3D virtual sampling.
The software enables digital sample creation that can replace physical prototypes, helping reduce sample production time, costs and material usage while supporting sustainability and digital transformation across the fashion supply chain.
SDS® KnitPaint-Online
The company will exhibit SDS® KnitPaint-Online, a standalone knit programming software developed from the KnitPaint functions previously available within the SDS®-ONE APEX design system.
The software provides knitting data creation for SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting machines while incorporating basic planning and design functions.
Digital Services Platform
SHIMA SEIKI will also introduce several services available through the SHIMA SEIKI Online Services (SHIMA online) platform, including:
- yarnbank® – Digital yarn sourcing web service offering downloadable yarn data from yarn manufacturers worldwide for virtual sampling.
- SHIMA Datamall™ – Digital content platform providing data for fashion planning and production.
- SHIMANAVI® – E-learning system supporting user education and training.
Industry and Education Collaboration
The booth will also feature companies exhibiting alongside SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA, including specialty yarn and fabric manufacturers.
Under the theme "The New Generation," SHIMA SEIKI will showcase knitwear samples created by students from educational institutions collaborating with SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA, highlighting cooperation between industry and fashion education.
Exhibition Details
- Event: Pitti Immagine Filati 99
- Dates: Wednesday, 24th – Friday, 26th June 2026
- Opening Hours: 9:00AM – 6:00PM (Final day: 5:00PM)
- Venue: Fortezza da Basso, Viale Filippo Strozzi, 1, Florence, Italy
- Organizer: Pitti Immagine S.r.l.
- Booth: Padiglione Centrale, Piano Inferiore, CustomEasy Section, C/1
Technologies on Display
- MACH2®XS173 8L WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine
- APEXFiz® 3D design software
- SDS® KnitPaint-Online knit software
- SHIMA SEIKI Online Services
- yarnbank® digital yarn sourcing service
- SHIMA Datamall™ digital content platform
- SHIMANAVI® e-learning system
- WHOLEGARMENT® and other knitwear samples