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Apparel CAD/CAM system |
CAD stands for Computer Aided Design, meaning design by computer, while CAM stands for Computer Aided Manufacturing, meaning manufacture by computer. Shima Seiki offers apparel CAD systems to process the design of paper patterns, development of sizes, and efficient layouts and the P-CAM® series, a computerized fabric cutting system for processing multi-ply or single-ply fabrics or leather hides. Its products are offered in the integrated context of CAD/CAM in apparel production.
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BtoB |
The letter B implies Business and BtoB implies business-to-business transactions. A contrasting term is BtoC (C implies Consumer), which means transactions between enterprises and consumers. For example, the manufacturers of flat knitting machines can be referred to as they are executing BtoB businesses since they do not sell products to general consumers, but they sell products to manufacturers of knit products. On the other hand, the business styles of on-line shops, etc., that sell products directly to consumers are called BtoC.
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Cell production |
Production method to assemble products by one worker or several workers in general. This method is appropriate for high-mix low-volume production and is characterized by the wide range of processes that one worker must monitor. Shima Seiki has introduced the cell production system for each process of production.
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Chinese and Hong Kong market |
The world's largest knit production base, a core market to Shima Seiki. It changed its supply structure in September 2006 from an indirect selling through agents to a direct selling system in the markets of Hong Kong and Shanghai and has established local subsidiaries there. Shima Seiki has enhanced its capabilities to provide technical support, propose product plans and ideas, and strengthened service functions including the transmission of fashion trend information in order to expand sales.
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Computerized flat knitting machine |
A computerized flat knitting machine is capable of computerized needle strokes, yarn selection and production control based on data stored in a computer, unlike manually operated knitting machines (called manual flat knitting machines) or mechanical knitting machines. Shima Seiki has a largest share in the world's computerized flat knitting machine market. On May 1, 2008, the total number of shipments have reached 100,000 units since the release of SNC, jacquard computerized flat knitting machine, in 1978.
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Consumer market |
This term refers to mature markets in developed countries that are shifting production overseas and undergoing increases in imports. In these markets, suppliers are required to produce high value-added products near consuming regions while delivering quick responses. The term typically refers to Europe, North America and Japan.
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Conventional flat knitting machine |
Conventional flat knitting machines are flat knitting machines other than WHOLEGARMENT® flat knitting machines. Their primary markets are China, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Conventional flat knitting machines require sewing and other works in downstream processes and suit labor-intensive production markets.
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Cut and sewn |
This is a generic term for knitwear and other garments that require higher levels of sewing skills for stitching knitted fabrics cut from paper stencils. This is one of the reasons why the textile industry is referred to as a labor-intensive industry.
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Design centers |
Design-related information outlets set up by Shima Seiki to popularize and promote fashion using WHOLEGARMENT® and other new knitting technologies. In addition to the Total Design Center located in its headquarters, Shima Seiki has two more design centers, Shima Seiki Design Center of Milan in Italy and Shima Seiki Design Center of New York in the U.S.
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Total Design Center (Headquarters) |
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Shima Seiki Design Center of New York |
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Ever Onward |
Corporate motto of Shima Seiki. Under the persistent principles of corporate management, Shima Seiki is continuously working to develop new technologies and take on the challenges of entering uncharted territories.
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Exchange loss |
Losses stemmed from fluctuations in the exchange rates. When accounts receivable are quoted in foreign currencies derived from transaction agreements, valuation losses arise if the exchange rate for the yen rises higher than when the agreements were signed. Therefore, in order to reduce the foreign exchange risk, Shima Seiki is trying to conclude forward exchange contracts or to quote transactions in the yen currency.
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Fine gauge |
Gauges for knitting in finer stitches (12 to 18 Gauge). Also called high gauges. Gauges for knitting in coarser stitches (3 to 5 Gauge) are called coarse or low gauges. Between fine and coarse gauges are called middle gauges (7 to 10 Gauge).
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Flat knitting machine |
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Knitted fabrics are either weft-knitted or warp-knitted. A flat knitting machine is a knitting machine used to knit fabrics consisting of chains of weft stitches. |
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Gauge |
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The unit representing the density of knitting machine needles, and the number of knitting needles per inch (approx. 2.54cm). The smaller the figure, the coarser the stitch, and vice versa. |
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7G and 12G stitches |
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Glove knitting machine |
Machines for knitting gloves which Shima Seiki was originally founded. Shima Seiki developed the world's first automatic seamless glove knitting machine. Shima Seiki's glove knitting machines have a wide range of applications, including work gloves, gloves for precision machinery and coated gloves.
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i-DSCS® |
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This improved version of the world's first digital yarn feeding system DSCS®(digital stitch control system) can automatically control yarn feeding and allow knitting with the loop length kept constant. This system is indispensable to knit WHOLEGARMENT® products. |
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IKME |
IKME is the world's largest knitting machinery exhibition held every four years in Milan, Italy.
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Intarsia |
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This knitting technique is used to incorporate inlays that are colored or patterned differently from that of the background into fabrics. This technique does not involve stitching yarns of the background color through the backing fabric and hence is most appropriate for thin knitwear such as summer sweaters. The well-known diamond checkerboard pattern of Scottish origin is called “argyle.” |
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ITMA |
ITMA is a comprehensive textile machinery trade fair held every four years in different cities in Europe. The ITMA trade fair has a 60-year long history and was held in Barcelona, Spain, in September 2011.
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Jacquard |
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This term was originally used to refer to a type of figure loom invented by and named after French inventor Joseph Marie Jacquard. Today, knitting machines incorporating a variable or pattern knitting function are generically called “jacquard knitting machines” and garments knitted using jacquard knitting machines are called “jacquard.” Jacquard knitting machines usually knit more than two colored yarns into various patterns. |
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Kaleido |
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This is an image processing tool of the design system. It is capable of creating unlimited designs by developing part of a photo or illustration, in patterns like a kaleidoscope. Check patterns, stripe patterns, etc., can be created in a moment of time. |
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Knit programming |
It means to create data for knitting products. When knitting products, it is necessary to develop instructions related to patterns and the knitting method so that machines can work correctly. The use of the knit CAD and knit paint software mounted on the SDS®-ONE APEX offered by Shima Seiki will enable equipment users to dramatically simplify complex programs based on a large database.
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Knitting machine |
A knitting machine is used to produce knitted fabrics. The three main types of knitting machine are flat knitting machines, which are the main products of the Company, circular knitting machines, and warp knitting machines.
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Know-how |
It means information or their accumulation such as technologies and expertise needed to develop and manufacture products. In order to sufficiently bring out high performance from products, Shima Seiki has been accumulating different expertise centered on the Total Design Center. Shima Seiki believes its strengths lie in its ability to offer not only hardware and software, but also expertise.
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Knowledge-intensive industry |
The industry is highly reliant on intellectual work in operating business. In order to meet diversifying needs, industrial activities have grown knowledge-intensive in the process of shifting to high-mix low-volume production and have become increasingly more sophisticated as a whole. For knit production, the WHOLEGARMENT® flat knitting machines, which require fewer downstream operation processes, including cutting and sewing, can respond quickly to the high-mix low-volume and high-quality production. The strategy of Shima Seiki to promote marketing of the WHOLEGARMENT® flat knitting machines is helping the knit industry convert from the labor-intensive processes to knowledge-intensive processes.
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Labor-intensive industry |
Such an industry that relies heavily on labor for business. The textile industry is said to be typically labor intensive. For knitted products, labor-intensive production, such as the sewing processes, is conducted in China and other countries, where an abundant labor force is available at low cost.
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LAPIS® |
LAPIS® is a weft and warp knitting machine capable of producing colorful and original knitted garments that are impossible to produce conventionally. Up to 100 colors can be used. The name “LAPIS” comes from LAPIS LAZULI, Italian for “blue-colored gem.”
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Lead time |
Time required from order receipt to delivery of finished products. In production, the period of time required from receipt of orders until completion of the manufacture of ordered products. It not only includes the time taken for processing but also the addition of time for waiting and transport.
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MACH2®X |
The state-of-art model of the WHOLEGARMENT® flat knitting machines launched in July 2008. Drive parts, needles and supply devices of threads have been newly developed at the highest knitting speed of 1.6 meters per second. The equipment caused a dramatic improvement in productivity by compounding various functions, and this model made it possible to produce higher quality knitwear products compared to the conventional model.
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Market-in |
A market-in approach is either a user-oriented approach for providing products and services that suit market needs or a customer-oriented approach taken by enterprises to business development from a customer's point of view. The antonym of “market-in” is “product-out.”
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MQC activities |
Shima Seiki is pushing for quality improvement. The production division is taking the leadership in addressing this issue by applying the market-in (offerings driven by market needs) concept to both aspects of quality and cost.
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Okochi Memorial Grand Production Prize |
The Okochi Memorial Foundation presents awards for outstanding achievements in the field of industrial engineering and production technology. Among the awards from the Okochi Memorial Foundation, the most authoritative is the Okochi Memorial Grand Production Prize presented to the business organization that has made outstanding industrial achievements developed on its own. Shima Seiki was awarded the 53rd Okochi Memorial Grand Production Prize by the Okochi Memorial Foundation in March 2007.
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Pantone |
This is the color sample book offered by Pantone, Inc., based in the United States. Pantone color books are used for choosing or designating colors in various business fields including printing, design, and fashion and are disseminated throughout the world. Our design system incorporates the Pantone Color Guides, thereby enabling smooth color communications.
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Pattern |
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This is used at the time of cutting the material and is referred to as the pattern created by plotting the shape of the required material. Generally, a pattern is used for a textile (woven fabric) in the fashion industry, but Shima Seiki applied it to the field of knit products. With our design system, the pattern for flat knitting can be created. Patternmaking plays an important role for high quality shaping and WHOLEGARMENT® knitting. Our SDS®-ONE APEX is capable of not only creating high precision pattern, but also easily executing complicated knit programming since the knitting data can be converted from the pattern. The created pattern can be checked and edited through 3D simulations and the system is also utilized in the industrial material industry in addition to the fashion industry. |
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Polarization |
Polarization refers to the current global restructuring of the knitwear/apparel industry. While production and export of volume-zone products have been increasing primarily in Asia, consuming regions in Europe, North America and Japan are making shifts toward production of high value-added products for differentiation from import products.
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Printing system |
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Systems capable of quick and easy full-color printing on knitted or woven garment surfaces. These systems are indispensable for deployment of varied WHOLEGARMENT® products. |
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Production market |
A production market is one with cheap labor for labor-intensive mass production and export. Typical markets of this type include Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
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Quick response |
This term refers to corporate activities made to reduce product lead time and respond quickly to market needs. It also covers efforts made to facilitate such activities. A quick response allows sequential deployment of strong sellers into the market as needed and provides advantages in preventing lost sales due to lack of inventory, stock reductions, and logistics losses caused by returns.
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Quota-free |
European and North American countries were allowed to impose import quotas on textile products made in China and other developing countries for a 10-year transitional period based on the 1995 WTO agreement. The import quotas were completely lifted on January 1, 2005 upon the termination of the transitional period.
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ROE |
ROE stands for Return On Equity (ratio of net income earned on shareholders' equity during the current period). This is one of the indicators used to measure the profit earned by utilizing capital entrusted to Shima Seiki by shareholders using the following formula: Net income for the period÷{(Beginning equity+Ending equity)E}×100. Shima Seiki looks on ROE as a significantly important management indicator by aiming to achieve more than 10% continuously.
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SDS®-ONE APEX |
SDS®-ONE APEX is a design system offered by Shima Seiki with the functions of patterning, designing, and programming built into one unit under the development concept “All in One.” This system makes it possible to carry out 3D loop simulation and virtual sampling precisely. The applicability of this series is not limited to the knitting field but extends to textiles, embroidery, prints, and other fields.
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ShanghaiTex |
International Exhibition on Textile Industry, the largest textile machinery exhibition in China. ShanghaiTex, which has continued since 1984, is held once every two years in Shanghai, China. The next ShanghaiTex is scheduled for June 2013.
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SlideNeedle |
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This is one of the knitting machine needles developed by Shima Seiki. This needle is of a design completely different from the conventional latch needles used for 150 years and is indispensable for four-bed WHOLEGARMENT® flat knitting machines. SlideNeedle added six knitting techniques to the six conventional techniques and made it possible to produce knitted fabrics that are impossible to produce conventionally. |
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Latch needle (Top) and SlideNeedle (Bottom) |
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SWG®041N/061N/091N (WHOLEGARMENT®-mini) |
This is a WHOLEGARMENT® flat knitting machine with a short knitting width of 40, 60 or 90cm with the nickname of “WHOLEGARMENT®-mini.” Equipped with a SlideNeedle, this model allows maximum use of WHOLEGARMENT® features, primarily for knitting small garments such as gloves, socks, hats, mufflers and supporters.
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Textile |
It means fabrics and also means the overall textile products in broad terms. Textiles have warps and wefts that regularly cross over and are able to retain certain shapes with less shrinkage. Textiles have the features of mass production and high durability.
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3D (three-dimensional) simulation |
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With our design system SDS®-ONE APEX, it is possible to set up the dimensions of human bodies, the color of the skin and hair, shapes thereof, etc., to create original 3D models. By fixing patterns in three dimensions on the model, considering the characteristics of the material and synthesizing the materials on it, real finished images, including the silhouette of the product, etc. can be examined by rotating the image 360 degrees. |
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Total Knitting System / Total Fashion System |
Shima Seiki provides a lineup of products as Total Knitting System that supports the process starting from planning to production and sales promotion of knit products with our core design system SDS®-ONE APEX. In addition, we call the system whose applications are expanded throughout the apparel and fashion industries, in addition to the knitting industry, Total Fashion System. By disseminating such systems that achieve market-in, small-lot multiple-variety production and quick response and enable production of commercial products that respond to customer needs, we contribute to the vitalization of the fashion industry.
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Universal design |
It means the design of the products or information that many people can utilize, regardless of differences in culture, nationality, age, or whether they are disabled or not. It was advocated by the late Mr. Ronald Mace at North Carolina University in the 1980s.
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Virtual sample |
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Virtual samples are those generated by computers in virtual space with realistic images with visual textures that compare with those of final knitted products. Samples other than actual samples produced using knitting machines are all virtual samples. Samples printed on paper are also virtual samples. Conventionally, actual samples were prepared at product planning and investigation stages. Shima Seiki's SDS®-ONE APEX allows online simulation of finished products and contributes to remarkable reduction in investigation time and in costs. |
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Virtual samples (on screen) and actual sample (front) |
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Volume zone |
This term is used to refer either to the most active and influential consumer segment in a market or to the price range of hottest sellers.
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Warm Biz |
This is a neologism coined by the combination of warmth and business as the autumn-winter version of the Ministry of the Environment's Cool Biz campaign catch phrase. Reminding people that they go back to the starting point of “wearing one more layer rather than turning up the heat ” Warm Biz led society to favor worker-friendly, warm, stylish business attire over the excessive use of heat.
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WHOLEGARMENT® |
Seam-free knitwear knitted three-dimensionally without the involvement of sewing together knitted fabrics cut from paper stencils or sewing together body parts and sleeves knitted separately.
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Cut and sewn |
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WHOLEGARMENT® |
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