Shima Seiki’s advanced flat knitting technology is helping researchers and students at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) explore new opportunities. The university’s Advanced Fabrication Research Lab (AFRL) uses Shima Seiki’s SWG-XR WHOLEGARMENT flat knitting machine and SDS-ONE APEX4 design system to support research, education and industry collaboration.

AFRL works with advanced digital manufacturing technologies, including 3D knitting, robotics and 3D printing. Its research extends beyond fashion and textiles into areas such as architecture, product design, engineering, healthcare and sustainability.

According to Shima Seiki, AFRL chose its technology because of the benefits of WHOLEGARMENT knitting, the compatibility between the SWG-XR machine and APEX4 design system, and the company’s experience in the textile industry.

One important development is Knit3D, a software system designed to convert 3D design data into knitting instructions for production on WHOLEGARMENT flat knitting machines. The software development project, led by Associate Professor David Pigram from the UTS School of Architecture and the AFRL team, secured first place in the 2024 UTS Research Translation Competition.

Knit3D links 3D modelling processes with APEX4 knitting data, giving designers greater creative freedom and expanding the possible uses of WHOLEGARMENT technology, particularly for complex three-dimensional shapes.