Shima Seiki launches world’s first PLM for flat knitting industry
Japanese flat knitting machine manufacturer Shima Seiki, has released its new Shima KnitPLM® software, specifically engineered for flat knitting as a powerful implementation of IoT for realizing factory automation. Entire manufacturing process of knitwear from planning to production can be visualized with Shima KnitPLM to support efforts in maximizing production efficiency.
The company has also released the software – SPP, SPC and SPR3 as part of Shima KnitPLM®. Shima Production Planning (SPP) software manages production scheduling and machine assignment based on manufacturing order information managed by the user’s existing ERP system. Also, even users without ERP can input manufacturing order information. Production plans created with SPP can be sent automatically to SPR3, where progress can be managed according to schedule.
Second software, Shima Production Control (SPP), a data distribution system that can automatically send the required production data to individual machines based on scheduling data provided by SPP, thus reducing workload and preventing mistakes.
The final software, Shima Production Report 3 (SPR3) is a production management system and a new and improved version of SPR2. SPR3 can link with existing ERP systems and provide management of machine operators, and — when production stops for some reason — the time and cause of stoppage. Moreover, by using cloud service, factory operating conditions and production status for individual orders can be confirmed remotely at any moment.
