Introduced to the world’s textile industry at the ITMA 2019 exhibition in June as a prototype, the 4th generation of its series - SDS­ONE APEX4 - is officially launched with updated hardware and software for improved efficiency as com­ pared to the previous generation SDS­ONE APEX3. Processing speeds for programming and simulation have undergone up to a 6X increase to meet ever­increasing demand for quickly responding to rapidly changing market needs. Comprehensively equipped with dedicated functions specializing in the planning and design of fashion apparel and other textiles, APEX4 features state­of­the­art technology such as the latest AI functions used in image searching for quick and accurate planning and design.

At the core of SHIMA SEIKI’s “Total Fashion System” concept, APEX4 provides comprehensive support of the apparel pro­ duction process from planning, design and production to sales promotion and retail sales through digital communica­ tion. Its capability for virtual sampling is especially effective in streamlining the production process. Super­real simula­ tion so realistic it can be mistaken for the real thing, allows the use of virtual samples to replace actual samples in evalu­ ating design variations, thereby minimizing the tremendous time, cost and material normally required with sample­mak­ ing. Moreover, data for programming flat knitting machines is prepared simultaneously for smooth transition to produc­tion.