[TC]² Bi-Weekly Technology Communicator
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Intro to Apparel Manufacturing
[TC]² - April 23-27
Register Now!
This popular program offers an overview of the entire manufacturing process. Topics covered include: textile fundamentals, fiber formation and fabric design, fabric characteristics, material utilization, spreading and cutting theories, and much more. Key apparel terms and concepts are featured, along with standard terminology for seam and stitch formations.
Grading for Fit – March 28-30 – The class still has room for more participants. This 3-day course provides basic principles of fit and grading. Hands-on projects include deriving grade rules and manual grading of basic garments.
To register or for more information, visit http://www.tc2.com/what/seminars.html.
[TC]² Announces 2007 Summer Student Interns
Selected by members of the Human Resources Leadership Council of the American Apparel and Footwear Association, the 2007 student interns are: Jessie Hill, Baylor University; Amy Lehan, University of Wisconsin-Stout; Heather McCready, Iowa State University; Allison Osteen, Oklahoma State University; April Taylor, East Carolina University; and Leanne Thornton, Mississippi State University.
Commencing on May 29th, the eight-week program includes an in-depth study of the latest product development technologies, industry supply chain issues, and business planning concepts. It is delivered in a hands-on learning environment which allows students to take what they learn back to their respective classrooms.
Comments Jim Lovejoy, Director of Industry Programs at [TC]², “We continually update our program and will be presenting content in keeping with today’s sewn products industry that students will encounter upon graduation.”
Selecting the Right Fiber for the Right Product
By Kim Anderson, [TC]²
One of the most important aspects of a textile product is the fabric. There are a number of criteria upon which the fabric selection is based. In the world of fashion, color, texture and pattern are paramount. However, less apparent but equally important is fiber type. Fibers have specific properties that can influence the performance and comfort of a garment. In order to produce a product with the desired characteristics, the appropriate fiber must be selected.
Visit the techechange library to read the entire article.
[TC]² Activity
Appetite For Knowledge
By Jud Early, [TC]²
Hilton Head Island was again the venue for the 2007 National Textile Center Forum. A substantial number of educators, graduate students, and industry members gathered to review progress of the past year in sixty-eight different projects, and to hear graduate student speakers from the eight universities which form the core of the NTC.
It is interesting to note, that of the eight students selected to represent their individual universities, the undergraduate degree of each student was granted by a non-US university. Five were originally from China, two from India, and one from Turkey. Each competed for a top prize of $1,000, while the third place and lower award was for $300. In my view, all were top presenters. This group of young people brilliantly showed what dedication to one’s research and studies can achieve. These awards are named after Joe Cunning, the first and long-serving, now retired, Director of the NTC. It must be rewarding to see the quality of student this program has attracted, and of even greater satisfaction to be the namesake for such an award.
These presentations are not lightweight or superficial. In one of particular interest, Ruilan Guo demonstrated her approaches for the measurement of the space between molecules in a molecular chain. It is fascinating to see how such research and high level thought come so easily to these students.
Poster sessions were open for parts of two days, with awards also presented to schools having the best poster in each competency and an overall winner - best of the best. The major competencies are Chemical, Fabrication, Materials and Systems. Within each competency are a number of projects that are funded by NTC with the dual purpose of advancing science and preparing today’s graduate student for entry into tomorrow’s world of business and science.
Each year the NTC director selects noted speakers to present interesting topics. Known as “Corner Speakers,” the presentations take place in open areas adjacent the poster displays, and usually draw participants from the poster displays to listen to such subjects as “Self-assembled Nano-Scale Machines Which Do Important Things In Textile Fibers,” presented by Darrell Reneker, Ph.D., of University of Akron. A particularly interesting report by Fritz Vollrath, Ph.D., a professor from Oxford University, told of the evolution of spider webs from around two hundred million years ago, and how they are stronger than steel for a given denier. He also showed photos of spiders in stock-like holders, extruding web material from one of several nozzles, while a winding device took up the spider silk, sometimes for as long as eight hours. Thecla Schiphost, Ph.D., from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, explained how her research into “Wearable Fashion & Fantasy- Integrating Garments,” research into the integration of electronics into clothing, pillows and other soft items, and how research subjects interact with such instrumented and wirelessly connected toys. David Bransby, Ph.D., an Auburn University professor, spoke on “Bio-energy- Possibilities for the Textile Industry.” I found myself making lengthy notes, items for further study and research to enlighten myself. I plan to cover his talk in a future column of the Techexchange newsletter. It was eye-opening and a possible means to re-balance the energy equation for this country. Contemplating the possibilities is very exciting. He was one of a handful of invitees to the White House just the previous Friday, for a meeting with the President on energy alternatives. His thoughts will surprise you. Stay tuned.
And last, but not least, [TC]²’s own Mike Fralix opened the Forum on Sunday afternoon with a keynote address that informed the attendees with regard to future process integration and the near-term “Cool-Zone” to be presented at SPESA Expo in May. Fralix was a big hit, with several people commenting on the stimulating concepts, and the ability to visualize the potential. There also are some challenges in the vision, and the body of university researchers did not fail to see that there is substantial research remaining to realize the conversion of garments from digital to physical. It remains to be seen if anyone will take up the challenge. There is no better place to share the concepts involved, and to bring new potential research to an organization whose core mission is to perform research to benefit the textile sector.
I would rate the NTC Forum 2007 as among the best, both from the standpoint of project progress, interesting content and the networking among research teams.
Oh, and did I mention the delicious squash and coconut milk soup?
Cool Zone Profile - Lectra
Lectra and The “Cool Zone” at SPESA Expo 2007
Hot Technologies Transforming the Industry
By Karen Davis, [TC]²
Can you imagine being able to collaborate seamlessly with all those involved in the life cycle of a product—creation, development, sourcing, manufacturing, and marketing of fashion product lines? SPESA Expo attendees in Miami May 8-10 will be able to learn how by viewing a demonstration of Lectra’s new Fashion Product Lifecycle Management solution in the Cool Zone in Pavilion 670.
Delivering a collection, complete, and on time, while maintaining quality and respecting costs, is increasingly difficult to achieve in the current global business environment. The integration of business applications and collections and management software enables action to be taken in key areas that lead to improved performance: capacity for innovation, brand identity, frequency
and time to market, quality assurance, control of development costs for products and materials, management and synchronization of multiple processes, and decision-making about collection content. Lectra’s PLM offering is linked to the company’s various applications for design, pattern making and prototyping, permitting the optimization of collections development processes.
With 17,000 customers and 1,500 employees worldwide, Lectra is a world leader in software, CAD/CAM equipment and related services dedicated to large-scale users of textiles, leather and industrial fabrics. Lectra addresses a broad array of major global markets, including fashion (apparel, accessories, footwear), automotive, aeronautical, marine and furniture.
At a recent product launch event at its headquarters in Bordeaux, Lectra unveiled its new generation of Vector automated multi-ply cutting systems, including some designed specifically for leather and denim cutting. Lectra also introduced its new software offerings including Fashion PLM, Kaledo’s new Design offering, Modaris 3D Fit, its 3D virtual prototyping solution, and Easy Grading, its automated grading application, part of the new release of its pattern-design solution.
In addition to participating in the Cool Zone, Lectra will be located at Booth 614 in the Convention Center.
Lectra will also be demonstrating Modaris 3D Fit, a unique, state-of-the-art solution that enables pattern makers, designers, product developers, and marketing and sales teams to control fit, validate style and collections, as part of the 4,000 sq. ft. pavilion that [TC]² is coordinating. The Cool Zone is the largest exhibit combining multiple suppliers, and will showcase leading edge technologies that are in support of a totally digital supply chain. The space will be divided into four areas of concentration: Product Development, Merchandising/Sales, Product Conversion, and Distribution.
In addition to the exhibits by more than ten different companies, there will be live presentations during show hours, describing the various technologies and pavilion activities in depth.
Plan to visit the Cool Zone, Pavilion 670, at SPESA Expo 2007, May 8-10, at the Miami Beach Convention Center to view these products firsthand. For a free registration or more information, go to www.spesaexpo.com.
Cool Zone Profile - TUKATECH
TUKATECH and The “Cool Zone” at SPESA Expo 2007
Hot Technologies Transforming the Industry
By Karen Davis, [TC]²
Can you imagine designing a product without ever making a physical sample?
TUKATECH will demonstrate the attributes of its e-fit Simulator, which provides the ability to view a model in a draped garment in 3D, and simulate movement for fit and comfort. And, not just walking motions; other capabilities include the model exercising, playing basketball, soccer, even riding a bike. The image can be viewed frame by frame for fit approval. A large UK retailer and a Sri Lanka based manufacturer, the names to be revealed at the show, now have a clothing line that is 100% designed and approved electronically without samples being made, reducing the approval cycle to days, instead of weeks.
Using 3D draping, the digital pattern is wrapped onto the model, and an appropriate movement is applied to test the fit. Any fit issues are immediately apparent. The pattern can be adjusted, and the garment re-draped to view in the e-fit Simulator and sent to approvers for an e-fit session.
TUKATECH was formed in 1997 by Ram Sareen, an industry veteran. The company has continually added other business units, including TUKAweb and TUKAcenters, to provide production and development services over the internet to apparel businesses of all sizes. TUKAforms, which will be shown in the Cool Zone, are soft and life-like duplicates of fit models to achieve a better fit, with pinnable and chalkable surfaces.
Comments Ram Sareen: “2007 is the year I believe 3D will be accepted on a broader scale in the apparel industry. We are excited to participate in the Cool Zone with the e-fit Simulator tool.” TUKATECH will be also located in Booth 1510 in the Technology Solutions section of the Convention Center.
In addition to its 3D simulation tool in the Cool Zone, TUKATECH will be demonstrating its RFID tracking software, TUKAtrack, which is designed for shop floor control.
For a free registration or more information, go to www.spesaexpo.com.
Important Dates
March
13 |
Annual Meeting of Members and the Board of Directors at [TC]² |
28-30 |
Grading for Fit Seminar at [TC]², for information or to register click here. |
29 |
Quality & Systems Improvement for Sewn Products, Seminar at [TC]². For details, click here. |
April
13-14 |
SEAMS Spring Meeting, Myrtle Beach, for more information, www.seams.org. |
17-19 |
Apparel Sourcing Show, Guatemala. For details, visit www.apparelexpo.com. |
18-20 |
Pattern Development Seminar at [TC]², for information or to register click here. |
23-24 |
Two Fast Fashion Workshops, Mexico City, for more information click here. |
23-27 |
Intro to Apparel Manufacturing Seminar, at [TC]² , for information or to register click here |
26-29 |
AAFA Supply Chain and Enterprise Competitiveness Committees, Key Largo, for more information www.apparelandfootwear.org. |
May
8-10 |
Material World/SPESA Expo, Miami Beach, for more information, click here. |
For detailed information about industry events, visit www.techexchange.com
Thanks to the techexchange site sponsors
Apparel Magazine, Gerber Technology, Intentia, Lectra, Methods Workshop and Reach Technologies.
A Look Ahead in the Newsletter
SEAMS Spring Meeting
SPESA Expo 2007
[TC]² Annual Meeting of Members and Board
View previous editions of this newsletter
[TC]²
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