Shima Seikis SDS-ONE system

Prof.Dr.S.Kathirrvelu
iOTEX-BDU

The most useful programs

include Knit-paint and Knitdesign.

SDS-ONE system (Shima Seiki)

Shima Seikis SDS-ONE system are as follows:

i) The Colour Number List
ii) Optional Line Function List
iii) Pattern Development Assignment
iv) Reference data for colours used for
WholeGarment (WG) package

 overview and explanation of how these

concepts work together to allow for complex
designs to be programmed and knitted.
Specifically the Section provides an outline of
(1)

basic

programming

procedure,

(2)

package programming and (3) WG package

programming.

Digital knit programming involves a series of

procedural steps to translate the envisaged
design into a computer language or code using
the CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design /
Manufacture) system.
The data is then saved onto a disc (or the
network) and is transferred to the knitting
machine.

For Shima Seiki, the CAD system developed is

known as SDS-ONE. The SDS-ONE system is
a totally integrated knit production system that
allows all phases including planning, design,
evaluation and production

Outline of basic programming

procedure
In order to knit a design using a Shima Seiki
industrial knitting machine, it must be
programmed. The steps involved are:
(1) Design preparation, (2) Programming the
design, (3) Design Processing, and (4) Knitting.

1. Design preparation
Design preparation involves the initial planning
and development of the design ideas. This
includes inputting the design into the CAD
system. The knitting CAD system is specific to
the industrial knitting machine. For Shima
Seiki knitting machines the CAD system is SDSONE.

The Knitpaint
program is
where all
technical knit
programs are
constructed,
processed
and
checked,
through the
knit
simulation
function

 In contrast the Knit-design program is for design work.

Knit-design allows for the design of 2D surface stitch
architectures, yarn and colour selection to be virtually
knitted (simulated), as well as colourways tested. The
design program has a broad file format, allowing for
jpeg, tiff, and bmp files to be imported into the
system. Therefore artwork, for example for a jacquard,
can be scanned into the system, cleaned (through
colour reduction) and prepared.

Within the
Knit-design
program there
is a library of
stitch
architectures,
which can be
accessed
to create
complex
fabric
structures

SDS-ONE knit-design program working page

with knit simulation

2. Programming the design

The design is converted to programming language
and data is inputted and consists of 3 parts;
(1) the structure pattern, (2) the option lines and
(3) the pattern development assignment
(2) The programming is undertaken through Knitpaint.

 Specifically, the structure pattern or design

area (Figure 3.36, 1) is set, based on the stitch
code colour number list (refer to Stitch Code
Summary). Every stitch type or movement of
a stitch is represented by a colour/number.

The option lines inform the knitting machine how

the design is to be knitted. Each option line
represents a different part of the knitting
process, such as the selection of yarn carriers,
and which sections of the design are to be
repeated. The option lines ultimately provide the
knit program with some flexibility, as the inputted
data in the option lines can be changed at the
processing and at the knitting stage.

The pattern development assignment also

provides support information, similar to the
option lines, about the width and placement
of the knitting on the machine.

3. Design Processing
The design is processed and saved to a formatted disc or
network to ensure the knit program can be read by the
knitting machine. In processing, the knit parameters
are set and the machine type to be used is specified.
The knit parameters are based on the option lines and
can include for example economisers (repeat sizes),
digital stitch and takedown values and the selection
of yarn carriers.

Digital Control Simulation of knit program (Shima Seiki)

4. Knitting
The knitting machine is set up. Yarn is selected
and threaded through the tension devices to
the yarn carrier. Then the knit program is
selected, read, and knit parameters set and/or
adjustments made via the machine display
panel. The knit program is then knitted.

Package programming
Package is an extension of basic programming. Through
the use of Package software, the programming of a
design is simplified. Package software uses a system of
registered colours, with each colour (and number)
representing a different knit package or combination
of stitches. Package allows for complex design
outcomes, particularly 3D seamless knitting, to be
more readily visualised and communicated in a
simplified 2D format.

WholeGarment package programming

seamless knitting technology creates a complete
garment with minimal or no cutting and
sewing required, thus eliminating seams.
Seamless knitting is made possible by machine
technology that allows tubular rib transfer.

WholeGarment pattern making guide (Shima Seiki)

 When Package Software is applied to Shima

Seikis WholeGarment technology, three
stages

for

programming

need

to

be

completed before the design can be knitted.

This

is

similar

to

standard

package

programming and includes (1) the Package

base pattern, (2) the Compress pattern and
(3) the Development pattern (Figure 3.44).

1. Package base patterns

Package base patterns are based on the package
library developed by Shima Seiki. In addition,
for more complex designs, the required
package base patterns may need to be self
constructed by the knit programmer.

2. Compressed pattern
The garment design is translated into programming
language. The compressed pattern consists of three
parts; (i) the base pattern, (ii) the front design area
and (iii) back design area. The base pattern provides
the information on the overall garment shape or
structure. This information includes variations with
front and back, such as necklines or variations required
for a cardigan type garment.

3. Developed pattern
The Compress Pattern is expanded to become the
Developed Pattern. The process of expanding the
pattern combines the three parts of the Compressed
Pattern and develops each package. This process is
semi automatic and is achieved by using the processing
procedure of Package development. Developing the
packages converts the program to the standard Shima
Seiki colour code language, where one colour per
square equals one stitch type.

Once expanded, the Developed Pattern can be

processed. Processing is a semi automatic
procedure carried out through the Knit-paint
software
information

and

involves

such

as

inputting
the

yarn

specific
carriers,

economisers and takedown into the program and

converting the program to a .000 file, so that the
program can be read by the knitting machine.

(1) Processing the program and (2) control simulation (Shima Seiki)