Country: Japan

Gunze Ltd, a Japan-based underwear maker, in collaboration with NEC Corp, has developed an innovative line of underwear that can measure not only the wearer’s heart rate, but also the calories consumed by the person. The metallic fabric used in the underwear can even detect whether the wearer’s back is straight or not.

The underwear will be showcased in the upcoming trade fair in Tokyo at the Wearable Expo to be held from January 13 to 15.

According to the two firms developing the underwear, the metallic textiles serve as sensors for the health data, with the degree of stoop being quantified. These data will be automatically sent to a smartphone via wireless communication. The garment can, of course, be washed as the device for data sending is detachable. The machine-washable garment is supposed to render many services, including one in which a gym instructor can offer advice to customers based on their posture and other health information.

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Currently, the firms are also developing an app for users of the underwear to browse data on their smartphone, so that the service for gym users can be launched by the end of March 2017.

Gunze has projected generation of 2.5 billion yen (approximately US $21 million) in sales from its wearable device in the fiscal 2020 through March 2021.

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Smart Textile represents the next generation of textiles anticipated for use in several fashion, furnishing and technical textiles. The introduction of smart materials and computing technology in textile structures offers an opportunity to develop textiles with a new type of behaviour and functionality. In this regard there have been many significant developments in the area and medical textiles market is expected to have tremendous growth.

SHIMA SEIKI will exhibit at A+A 2015 at Work International Trade Fair in Düsseldorf, Germany. On display will be a compact version of SHIMA SEIKI’s original computerized WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine in ultrafine 18 gauge which is perfect for knitting gloves that provide optimum fit and bare-hand sensitivity for precision work, while addressing issues in safety protection with the capacity to perform knitting with variety of new technical yarns. At A+A we will demonstrate its use in knitting gloves with compression features, for sports and medical applications. The SWG041N2 machine is also capable of knitting various other items from knit caps, balaclavas and lining for protective headgear, to various joint supports, leggings and footwear. Its applications now extend to sports, medical and healthcare as well as other technical textile applications. Because WHOLEGARMENT® knitwear is produced in one entire piece without the need for sewing afterward, all such applications are available without seams for added comfort and reduced chance of skin irritation in hypoallergenic applications as well.

Also on display will be an updated version of SHIMA SEIKI’s SDS-ONE APEX3 3D design system demonstrating its role in WHOLEGARMENT® production through comprehensive support from planning and design to production and sales promotion, as well as its capability for Virtual Sampling. Ultra-realistic simulation capability allows Virtual Sampling to minimize the sample-making process.

Introduced at ITMA 1995, Shima Seiki’s WHOLEGARMENT technology has completed 20 years and the company will put on display WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines at the 2015 edition as well.

The manufacturer will propose several novel ways to produce WHOLEGARMENT knitwear even more efficiently by exploiting 3D shaping and tubular knitting characteristics. Other exhibits include new versions of the SRY-LP series with special loop presser beds that debuted at ITMA Barcelona four years ago and led to the development of hybrid knit-weave fabrics.

At ITMA, Shima Seiki will also be showcasing the P-CAM NC cutting machine, to demonstrate its comprehensive strength and commitment to the textile industry as a whole.

Demonstrations will be performed on an updated version of its SDS-ONE APEX3 3D design system that provides comprehensive support for the entire knit supply chain from planning and design to production and sales promotion.

Teijin Group’s fibre-products converting company, Teijin Frontier will debut at Première Vision Paris, which will take place in Paris next week, with its next-generation polyester fabric which integrates physicality, functionality, and quality to a high degree. It is also said to offer ultraviolet protection, anti-transparency, as well as snag resistance due to its dense, flat-knit surface, making it an ideal material for use by sports apparel manufacturers. Teijin will also showcase its Solotex fibre, which is exceptionally soft, highly stretchable, shape-retaining and durable, and produces deep, vivid colours. 

Konica Minolta is set to unveil two new scan-type high-and medium-speed inkjet textile printers –Nassenger 8 and Nassenger 10, at ITMA 2015 (Milan, Italy) in November this year.

With a print speed of 580 sq. m. per hour, this Nassenger 10 can substitute a conventional flat screen printing machine; moreover, it produces high-volume printing as well as higher-quality reproduction of images. And, Nassenger 8 is best suited to customers who require medium-volume printing. With a print speed of 240 sq. m. per hour, Nassenger 8 ensures high productivity.

Both the models are equipped with newly-developed inkjet printheads. The models ship with 8 colours (CMYK + 2 special colours + 2 light colours), with another colour offered as an option, and use Konica Minolta’s own colourful disperse dye ink and GOTS certified reactive ink.

Japan Sewing Machinery Manufactures Association (JASMA) has announced that 80 per cent of the exhibition space of the Japan International Apparel Machinery & Textile Industry Trade Fair, ‘JIAM 2016 OSAKA,’ scheduled to be held from April 6-9, 2016 under the theme of ‘Innovative Solutions and Advanced Processing Technologies’, at INTEX OSAKA , has already been booked.

With eight months to go for the show, it is likely that the coming 11th edition will increase its exhibition size to accommodate more exhibitors.

The total exhibition size has grown by 11.7 per cent. The show will welcome overseas exhibitors from 10 countries/regions indicating the relevance of the show as an international business platform.