Leading flat knitting solutions provider
SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Japan has
announced the release of its new subscription-based design software, as well as
two other web services to enhance its user experience.
The new set of products and services is intended
to aid in the digital transformation of the fashion industry for supporting
business in the post-COVID19 era, in which new work styles and methods are
being adopted including teleworking and telecommuting.
At the same time, they
are working to streamline and improve efficiency to achieve sustainability
through reduced waste.
1. APEXFiz
APEXFiz is the latest addition to SHIMA
SEIKI's SDS-ONE APEX series design system lineup, but with an unprecedented
twist. Whereas previous APEX-series design systems were offered as an
all-in-one proprietary hardware/software package, for the first time in its
nearly 40-year history of design system development, SHIMA SEIKI has released
its new APEXFiz as subscription-based design software that can be installed on customers'
individual computers.
Maintaining proven functions that have made
the SDS-ONE APEX series so popular with fashion designers, with APEXFiz those
strengths are now enhanced with the added versatility to adapt to different
work styles and environments of the "new normal."
APEXFiz is
furthermore available in 5 different flavors that can be selected according to
the customer's needs, from APEXFiz Design Pro to APEXFiz Design Jr.
APEXFiz software supports the creative side
of fashion from planning and design to colorway evaluation, realistic fabric
simulation and 3D virtual sampling. Virtual sampling on APEXFiz and other APEX
series is a communication tool that is not only an accurate representation of
the product, but it also digitally bridges the gap between the studio and the
factory.
By sending data to the knit manufacturer it
can be converted to machine programming data, shortening lead times and
allowing the production of items faithful to their design as originally
intended by the designer. That accuracy allows virtual samples by SHIMA SEIKI
to be used effectively as prototypes, replacing sampling and consequently
reducing time, cost and material.
2. yarnbank
yarnbank is the world's first online web
service for searching and viewing the latest yarns, developed with cooperation
from yarn companies from around the world. Registered users have free access to
the yarnbank archive of yarn information and digital yarn data.
Users can also
download yarn data for free, for use in fabric simulation and virtual sampling
on APEXFiz and SDS-ONE APEX4, avoiding the need to scan yarn on their own.
By using yarn that is used in actual
production, knit manufacturers and apparel companies can furthermore rest
assured that the simulations created using yarnbank are not merely realistic
images but accurate representations using yarn that can actually be purchased
and used in production.
yarnbank also serves as a new promotional
platform for yarn companies with the opportunity to present their yarns
directly to their customers. In that respect, yarn companies can reduce their
dependence on traditional sample books as a means to promote their products,
saving time, cost and material and doing their part for sustainability.
yarnbank brings together each player in the
supply chain—spinner, knit manufacturer and apparel company—and connects them
digitally.
3. SHIMANAVI
The SHIMANAVI e-learning system allows APEX
series users to experience online training when and where it is convenient, and
at their own pace, supporting new work styles and environments such as
teleworking and telecommuting. Several courses are available in different
languages to suit the needs of individual customers as well.