[TC]² Bi-Weekly Technology Communicator
3D Scanning Applications Seminar
April 17-18, 2007
By Karen Davis, [TC]²
[TC]² is offering a custom seminar on 3D body scanning technologies for Apparel Product Development and Sizing Research. In this two day program, April 17-18, 2007, [TC]² will share its learnings and methodologies for conducting sizing surveys using 3D body scanning technology, survey data analysis for apparel applications, and technologies for 3D product development. Included will be one-half day on
[TC]²’s automatic shape and measurement extraction software for 3D body scans.
The small class size guarantees individualized attention, resolution to questions, and student interaction. Classroom exercises will be conducted using [TC]²’s measurement extraction software. Computers will be provided for each student to maximize learning opportunities.
For more details, or to register, use the contact form.
Doing Good and Doing Well: The Triple Bottom Line
By Kim Anderson, [TC]²
Two decades ago there was the quality movement—a transformation that vastly improved efficiencies within companies. Today, a new strategy is emerging—the triple bottom line. It’s the idea that managers can and should look beyond the financial bottom line and attend to their companies’ performance as measured against two other bottom lines—the social and environmental. Although it is still in the formative stages the concept is taking hold and corporations that embrace the vision are claiming impressive results.
The concept of the triple bottom line, or 3BL, was introduced in 1994 by sustainability guru John Elkington. The fundamental premise behind the strategy is sustainability: A corporation’s way of addressing business concerns about the environment, workers’ rights, consumer protection, corporate governance and broader social issues and the relationship of these to profit. The short and simple definition is the organization’s societal, environmental and economic contribution.
Companies that have tapped into this new strategy are reaping the benefits. Take for instance Starbucks—where the 3BL strategy permeates throughout the organization. Starbucks has had tremendous economic success and passes it along to its employees, the environment and society. The company not only actively supports educational, health and social services but also takes care of its growers by paying premium prices to those using traditional farming methods to preserve the tropical forests.
Unifi Inc., a leading producer of polyester and nylon yarn, might not consciously be pursuing a 3BL strategy but they’re an excellent example of a company that is concerned with more than a single bottom line—Unifi also has a unique environmental and social sensibility. Unifi produces a line of environmentally friendly yarns, has their own recycling center, uses returnable packaging and donates bio-solids to local farmers for fertilizers.
Believing that community involvement is essential to being a responsible corporate citizen, Unifi celebrates Earth Day with local schools by mentoring and educating kids about the environment. The company also looks after their employees by making sure their work environment has proper ventilation, optimal lighting, minimal noise and emergency preparedness. They offer wellness and educational programs through the Unifi University. In addition to making generous contributions to local service organizations, Unifi sponsors events and encourages their employees to join in.
A critique of the 3BL strategy is how to quantify social and environmental performance in a meaningful, consistent and comparable way. Regardless, the 3BL is gaining momentum and companies such as Wal-Mart and Herman Miller are embracing it. Whether it is a conscious decision or not—the 3BL strategy has some benefits, not only for the company but for everyone that occupies the earth.
References
Phillips, Patti, Ph.D. “Learning’s Contribution to the Triple Bottom Line.” Business Intelligence, October, 2006
Cool Zone Profile
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Companies Partner to Produce Cool Zone Garments for SPESA Expo 2007
Hot Technologies Transforming the Industry
By Karen Davis, [TC]²
Can you imagine ordering a customized garment and watching it being printed, cut, and sewn? SPESA Expo attendees will be able to view garments being created in a team sewing environment in the Cool Zone, Booth 670. Three companies are providing the equipment and findings to make the demonstration possible.
American & Efird is the thread supplier for the Cool Zone. A&E manufactures and distributes premium industrial and embroidery threads on a global basis, and uses only the finest grades of cotton, synthetic staple fibers and filaments for its products. Finished thread is tested repeatedly to assess its strength and sewability. A&E thread and yarn is used for apparel, automotive, upholstered furniture, home furnishings, footwear, bedding and mattresses, and other sewn products. In addition to thread and yarn, A&E produces a line of knitted elastics and distributes various sewing supplies
Since its inception in the 1890's, A&E has greatly expanded its facilities and has maintained pace with technological improvements. A&E was the first textile company in North Carolina to match colors by digital computer, automate the doffing system on spinning frames, computerize their dye machines, and build a mercerizing plant.
A&E’s full product line will be located in Booth 762.
CF Rimoldi, supplier of the Vega automatic back latch and high speed over lock sewing machines for the Cool Zone, is part of the CF Italia Group, located in Gallarate near Milan, which produces industrial sewing machines. Special sewing machines, the result of years of design experimentation, are recognized internationally as quality products with solutions for any problem regarding feasibility, productivity and quality.
Rimoldi will also demonstrate its Digiflex RFID solutions, which are ideal for textile/garment manufacturers who make several products on a single production line, or manufacture complex or customized products. Assembly line personnel can use an RFID reader to verify which processes have been completed, to determine which inspections or tests are required and to automatically update the central production database. And, production planners and inventory control personnel can use the Digiflex RFID tags to automatically update the customer database and finished goods inventory, using an RFID reader and PC, rather than manually creating data entry sheets, which could introduce errors into the system.
The Rimoldi of America branch in Miami location houses a multilingual staff, with sales and technical offices. CF Rimoldi will showcase its product offerings in Booth 944.
Schmetz is supplying sewing needles for the Cool Zone product line. Utilizing its two centuries of experience, working relationships with research institutions around the world, and the latest measuring instruments, Ferd. Schmetz GmbH strives to offer every customer the best needle with the best service on the most economical terms. Its Application Team assists in identifying the best needle product to meet specifications, and will develop custom-made products or modify existing needles to meet requirements.
With company headquarters in Germany, Schmetz maintains branch offices and dealers worldwide for support and rapid availability of its product line. Visit Booth 978 to view the complete line of Schmetz needles.
Cool Zone Profile
i-Fashion and The “Cool Zone” at SPESA Expo 2007
Hot Technologies Transforming the Industry
By Karen Davis, [TC]²
Can you imagine having your very own private tailor, making made-to-measure clothes that fit your specific taste and styles, then looking into the mirror to see how these form-fitting clothes will look on you? That dream is one step closer to reality for attendees of the SPESA Expo in Miami, Florida being held on May 8-10.
i-Fashion’s exhibit, Mass Customization, will feature [TC]²’s NX-16 3D body scanner, which will create a virtual model of the customer. This virtual model will be used with i-Fashion’s “Magic Mirror” which will allow the customer to try-on virtually any combination of sizes and styles of clothes.
i-Fashion will be demonstrating “Mass Customization,” a new concept of purchasing tailor-made clothing in a virtual way. Consumers can pick any type of clothing and can coordinate the details (necklines, waistlines, sleeves, buttons, pockets, prints, textile, etc.) to his/her own tastes by virtually draping the garments onto an avatar procured from a body scanner. Consumers can then look into the Magic Mirror to see what their tailor-made garments will look like.
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The i-Fashion Technology Center, based in Seoul, Korea, was founded in 2006. It was funded by the Korean Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to conduct governmental projects for the next 5 years collaboratively with academia and several hi-tech companies domestically and abroad. This coalition was created to form a new fashion industry paradigm that is both service and consumer oriented.
Prof. Chang-Kyu Park, director for the i-Fashion Technology Center commented, “At SPESA Expo 2007, i-Fashion will introduce its solutions to the West. Existing shopping trends will become more complex and efficient; that is to say, anyone will be able to shop anywhere through multiple distribution channels such as online, through mobile devices, and television based on the ubiquitous nature of evolving services. Besides actual clothing, virtual clothing will also add value. In the future some clothing will be digitally popularized with enhanced high-quality services and customization in addition to the more traditional values such as brand, design, and material.”
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 the SPESA Expo, May 8-10, at the Miami Convention Center to view these products firsthand. For more information on SPESA Expo 2007, visit www.spesaexpo.com.
Important Dates
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
View previous editions of this newsletter
[TC]²
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