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shimaseiki.com
What it is
SDS-ONE APEX4 is SHIMA SEIKI’s all-in-one design system, combining dedicated hardware and software for textile, apparel, and industrial product development. It provides planning, design, colorway creation, realistic fabric simulation, and high-definition 3D virtual sampling. Textile tools cover flat knitting, circular knitting, printing, and weaving. Pattern CAD supports knitwear, apparel, and industrial designs, while knitting-machine programming includes shaping and WHOLEGARMENT production. The system can scan and simulate real yarn, and virtual samples can reduce the need for physical sample-making. An Auto-suggest function generates colorways and designs automatically. SHIMA SEIKI describes links across planning, design, production, and sales promotion among yarn spinners, brands, and manufacturers. Listed industries include fashion, sports and outdoors, healthcare, footwear and accessories, home furnishings, automotive, aeronautical, and industrial materials. APEX4 runs on Windows, including Windows 11. For units numbered 60001 or higher, updating to Windows 11 version 24H2 may deactivate Windows licensing.
Spec sheet
- Product
- SDS-ONE APEX4 is an all-in-one 3D design system with integrated hardware and software.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Support
- SHIMA SEIKI says its user support includes maintenance, customer-specific training, and long-term supply of genuine parts.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Headquarters
- Wakayama, JapanRead 28 Sep 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Founded
- 1962Read 28 Sep 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Company
- SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. was established on February 4, 1962, and lists its headquarters at 85 Sakata, Wakayama 641-8511, Japan.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- CAD and machine programming
- The all-in-one system includes pattern CAD functions and knitting machine programming.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Certification
- SHIMA SEIKI states that it holds ISO 9001 certification for the design and manufacturing of design systems.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Colorway generation
- An auto-suggest function automatically generates colorways and designs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Design and sampling
- The SDS-ONE APEX series supports planning, design, colorways, realistic fabric simulation, and 3D virtual sampling.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Design and simulation
- The system includes textile design and simulation for flat knitting, circular knitting, printing, and weaving.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Design automation
- Its Auto-suggest function automatically generates colorways and designs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Industries
- The manufacturer lists fashion, sports and outdoors, healthcare, shoes and accessories, home furnishings, automotive, aeronautical, and industrial materials as industries served.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Knitting programming
- The system supports knitting-machine programming, including shaping and WHOLEGARMENT production.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Pattern CAD
- Pattern-making functions are available for knitwear, apparel, and industrial designs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Pattern making
- The pattern-making function can be used for industrial designs as well as knitwear and apparel products.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Pricing
- The opened manufacturer product pages direct prospective customers to inquire about tailored solutions and do not state a price.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Product type
- SDS-ONE APEX4 is an all-in-one design system with integrated hardware and software.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Security and compliance
- SHIMA SEIKI states that it holds ISO 9001 certification for the design and manufacture of design systems.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Simulation
- SHIMA SEIKI says the system can scan and simulate real yarn and minimize physical sample-making.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Supply chain
- SHIMA SEIKI describes the system as connecting planning, production, and sales processes for apparel manufacturing.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Supply-chain use
- The maker says the system connects yarn spinners, apparel brands, and manufacturers digitally across planning, design, production, and sales promotion.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Textile capabilities
- The system includes textile design and simulation software for flat knitting, circular knitting, printing, and weaving.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Training
- SHIMANAVI provides self-paced e-learning courses for the SDS-ONE APEX series.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Virtual sampling
- Its high-definition virtual samples support product development and can reduce the need for physical sample-making.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Windows 11 24H2 limitation
- The maker reports that updating APEX4 units numbered 60001 or higher to Windows 11 version 24H2 may deactivate Windows licensing and advises users to follow its repair instructions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
- Windows compatibility
- The maker confirmed APEX4 operation on Windows 11, while noting that upgrade methods depend on the machine number and should be checked with a local distributor or agent.Read 9 Oct 2026 · shimaseiki.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Combines hardware and software in one system
- Supports 3D garment simulation and virtual sampling
- Includes textile tools for four methods
- Provides pattern CAD and knitting programming
- Offers maintenance and customer-specific training
Limits
- Pricing is available only on request
- Runs on Windows only
- Windows 11 24H2 can affect some units
- Upgrade methods depend on machine number
Who it suits
It suits textile, apparel, and industrial design teams needing integrated simulation, pattern CAD, colorway, and knitting-programming tools. It also fits organizations connecting design and production workflows across multiple product industries.
Verdict
APEX4 combines textile design, simulation, pattern development, and machine programming in one Windows system. Buyers should confirm upgrade requirements with a distributor, especially for units numbered 60001 or higher before a Windows 11 24H2 update.
Where Specifiction places it
- Fashion Design Software#20 of 307.1
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