[TC]² Bi-Weekly Technology Communicator
Sewing Machine Updates at this Year’s SPESA Expo
By Kim Anderson, [TC]²
Material World, SPESA Expo and Technology Solutions came together to form one of the most comprehensive exhibitions for textile and apparel professionals. This year’s event, held at the Miami Convention Center on May 8th-10th, showcased the latest developments in machinery and equipment; fabrics and trims; and information technology. Numerous sewing machine vendors displayed their latest updates. The following text details some of this year’s highlights.
CF Italia (Rimoldi Brand)
CF Italia (Rimoldi Brand)is dedicated to research and development. The focus at CF Italia is to enable customers to meet their market requirements in a flexible and quick way. A variety of updates have been introduced to help accomplish this mission.
T-shirt production cycle
The Libra (model #84F-38-2CA-02/L92-80) machine is specifically designed to attach knitted strips to the shoulder and back of the neck on tubular T-shirts. The Libra has a unique ergonomic shape that allows the operator to sit in an upright and comfortable position, resulting in high productivity and quality. The unique shape also gives the operator a clear vision of the sewing area.
The Sirio II (model #6F3-66-3LD-19/556-10) is designed to execute ornamental seams, hemming and topstitching operations on light and medium weight knit fabric constructions. The most important upgrades are a new cover drive mechanism, longer arm for a longer working space and an external drive belt.
Jeans production cycle
The Libra (model # PL84-X64-F3J2) is a 3 needle chain stitch machine suitable for sewing medium and heavy weight jeans. The machine is equipped with an electronically controlled roller feeding system, synchronized with the feeding movement of the machine. There is a pneumatic foot lifter; a vacuum chain cutter; an electronic control device (allows easy crossing of the thickness and is operated by a direct drive); and an electronic motor. The machine is semi-automatic. It is designed for making high quality double lapped seams.
The Vega II (model # F29-00-2MD-89) is a 2 needle safety stitch machine designed to sew medium weight fabrics. The machine has a distinctive seam width. A combination of 10mm over edge and a 5mm seam between the two needles produces a 15mm overall sewn edge.
Underwear production cycle
The Fenix II (model #7F3-34-3MK-02/591-83) is specifically designed to sew underwear. It is a cylinder bed machine that can produce a 3 needle 6mm top and bottom cover stitch. The updates include the combination of stitch condensing and top and bottom thread trimmer and foot lifter. The machine has been designed to be ergonomic and comfortable.
The Sirio II flatbed (model #63F-16-2LR-24/266-00) is a 2 needle 3.5mm gauge machine designed to attach binding to underwear, swimwear and seamless garments. The unit can trim the material before the binding is attached.
Shirt production cycle
The Libra (model #84F-00-2CA-11/257-80) is a 2 needle 4.8mm chain stitch machine that feeds off the arm. It is equipped with a feeding tractor foot. The design of the tractor foot allows it to walk over cross seams, which is important to keep the cross seam aligned and prevent puckering. It is also equipped with a direct drive electronic motor.
Juki®
The goals at Juki® are to attain high output and quality, low cost and quick delivery of orders. The focus of research and development is on designing durable sewing machines that will produce consistency and improved workability.
For Apparel
APW-895: An Automatic Lockstitch Pocket Welting Machine with direct drive and IP-300 one-touch panel programming for sewing single and double welts on suits, jackets and slacks.
MF-7724U10: A High Speed, 4-needle Flat Bed, Universal Type, Top and Bottom Coverstitch Machine for knits and activewear.
LH-4188-7/SC-910A/IP-110: A High Speed, Direct Drive, 2-Needle, Lockstitch, Needle Feed machine with one-touch panel programming, organized split needle bar and semi-dry head for jeans and denim.
DDL-9000A/SC-910A: A High Speed, Direct Drive, 1-Needle, Lockstitch Machine with automatic thread trimming for general single needle sewing.
LH-3528-7: A Direct Drive, 2-Needle Lockstitch Machine with semi-dry head and automatic thread trimming for general double needle sewing.
MB-1377: A 1-Needle, Chainstitch Button Sewing Machine with knot tying mechanism and mechanical lever for U Tack and X Tack.
For Heavy Duty Sewing
AMS-221E2516: A Computer Controlled Cycle Machine with input function and expanded sewing area of 250mm (X) x 160mm (Y) for large size, heavy duty sewing applications.
PLC-1760L: A Single Needle, Lockstich, Post Bed Machine with long pitch for handling thick thread for heavy duty sewing applications.
LU-2212N-7: A 1-Needle, Unison Feed Machine with Large Vertical-Axis Hook, 2-stitch lengths and automatic thread trimming for heavy duty sewing applications.
Seiko
Seiko Sewing Machine Co., Ltd. manufactures heavy industrial sewing machines for shoes, bags, tents, car seats and other products made with heavy materials. Its products are used by Toyota, Nissan and Honda, a variety of U.S. shoe manufacturers, as well as bag manufacturers, Ecco and Achilles. Seiko’s motto is to always develop and supply new models in order to satisfy the requirements of the market.
The 2 needle JW series features:
• A long and wide working space suitable for sewing large products such as tents and sail clothes.
• Extra large vertical axis hook
• Compound feed and walking foot mechanism to insure even feeding of the material
• Automatic hook lubrication
• Reverse feed operated by foot petal
• Push button stitch regulator
• Built-in bobbin winder
• Front handwheel for ease of positioning of the needle
The JW-28BLA-20-2 has been designed to accommodate thread thickness up to 1.4mm in diameter. The JW-28BL-20-2 machine utilizes a bearing on the shaft instead of a bushing. The benefit the bearing is to reduce frictional resistance. Double tension is also used.
SKZ-2B is a single needle machine that produces a zig-zag lockstitch. The machine is capable of producing an extra wide zig-zag stitch. It is designed to sew medium to heavy weight materials such as leather, canvas and vinyl.
Seiko also has a patent pending on the LSWN-48BL (&46BLR). The machine’s features are:
• Four needles
• High speed
• Large vertical axis hook
• Reverse stitch
• Compound feed and walking foot
Apparel Conference of the Americas
July 31 – August 2
The 5th Annual Apparel Conference of the Americas (ACA) will be held at the Casa Santo Domingo in Antigua, Guatemala July 31 to August 2. With an ambitious agenda to discuss the opportunities and challenges of today’s dynamic global sourcing landscape, the conference will feature well-known speakers on topics such as: CAFTA/China - A Direct, Objective Comparison; A Report Card on the Region; 'Green' Energy in the Region; Sourcing Strategies; a panel discussion on Market Opportunities; and more. To register for this event or to view full program descriptions, visit www.aapnetwork.net.
[TC]² along with AAFA, CCAA, NCTO and SPESA have endorsed this event, which is being coordinated by AAPN. For those of you that are doing business in the region, this is a conference that you will not want to miss.
[TC]² Activity
Student Intern Program Review
By Leanne Thornton, Mississippi State University
The last two weeks have been filled with a myriad of tours, presentations, and an abundance of new opportunities for the student interns! On July 3, we professionally presented our digitally printed bags to the company. We compiled Powerpoint presentations which included our inspiration, target market, mood boards, and various colorways of our repeat patterns. It was very invigorating to professionally present this information to everybody! They all seemed genuinely interested in our product, and it was wonderful experience to “pitch” our designs and get reactions from professionals in the industry.
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Dave and Benton Gardner from SPESA (Sewn Products Equipment and Suppliers of the Americas) visited and talked to about their company. They assigned us a project that has kept us diligently busy for the past few days. We were asked to provide recommendations on sourcing from Colombia as if we were the Board of Directors for an apparel manufacturing company. Pending information regarding the Andean Bill was the basis of our research. The hardest part, in my opinion, was to forfeit my personal beliefs and complete the assignment with a business mindset.
Field trips always prove to be very rewarding and educational. Over the past two weeks, we have visited Cotton Incorporated, Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Deaf and Blind, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Royal Park Uniforms, and Freudenberg Nonwovens. It is very intriguing to see how these companies work on a daily basis. There are many aspects of the apparel business that I never thought of before, but now I see that every small part in the fashion pipeline makes a huge difference in the end product.
These two weeks ended with the lean manufacturing seminar. The six interns were learning alongside five industry professionals about the processes in lean manufacturing. We participated in a fun activity, Penville, in which we assumed roles of people on the production staff while making ink pens. We did this activity numerous times and each time, there was a different way to set up production and different rules. This was demonstrated so one could see how lean manufacturing is much better in particular manufacturing environments. We learned that it is especially useful for getting special orders out quickly and reducing the amount of work in process.
[TC]² Student Intern Sponsor Profile - Shapely Shadow
By Karen Davis, [TC]²
[TC]² is pleased to recognize Shapely Shadow as a Gold Sponsor of the 2007 Student Internship Program.
Shapely Shadow, Inc. provides solutions for the apparel industry to improve Fit throughout the world. As a pioneer of the commercial utilization of 3D data, Shapely Shadow produces three types of forms: traditional linen forms for global quality control of outerwear; RealForms™, which are pin-able and washable with soap and water; and RealFlesh™ forms, the softest of the form products, designed to show pressure (bra underwire) for the lingerie and swimsuit industry. The company has recently created Powered by SizeUSA dress forms, which utilize the SizeUSA data to develop forms of the US population from analysis of sizing information.
A new Shapely Shadow venture launched in 2007 is FastFit™, a program which captures movement and views a garment in 360o for on-line fit approvals. Users can also record live video or import existing video into a computer using a digital video camera. The video camera can then be connected to a computer to download the video to create rotating images of garments in a matter of seconds.
Shapely Shadow’s manufacturing facility is located in Los Angeles, California. Company office locations include Los Angeles and New York with agent offices in Montreal, London and Hong Kong. Additionally, Shapely Shadow products can be viewed at [TC]²’s Cary, NC Demonstration Center.
At the recent SPESA Expo event in Miami, FL, Shapely Shadow participated in the Cool Zone pavilion coordinated by [TC]², an exhibit of multiple suppliers showcasing current and future technologies in support of a totally digital supply chain.
[TC]² and the 2007 student interns gratefully acknowledge Shapely Shadow, Inc. as a Gold Level Sponsor and wish to thank the company for its support of the intern program.
Textile Fundamentals Course
Textile Technology Center – Gaston College East Campus
August 15, 2007 – 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
The Textile Technology Center at Gaston College, Belmont, NC, in partnership with The Southern Textile Association, is offering a half-day overview program on textiles. The free seminar is designed for professionals working in the textile industry who do not have a formal textile background.
The course includes information on fibers, yarn and fabric formation, textile printing and dyeing, and fundamentals of cutting and assembly of consumer products. Materials are presented in an informal, interactive, hands-on learning environment at the well-equipped Textile Center pilot facility.
To register, complete the registration form. For more information, contact John Anderson at 704.825.3737, ext. 254.
Material World New York
From design to delivery, Material World is the major semi-annual full package, sourcing, IT, fabric, trim and trend trade event for the sewn products industry. As an official event of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the September 25-27, 2007 event will feature the most comprehensive presentation of US domestic and regional providers from throughout the Americas and the Caribbean as well as a strong international exhibitor base of garment manufacturers, fabric and trimming suppliers from around the globe. New for 2007, Material World New York will put special focus on five key growth areas including Eco-Friendly, Performance, Product Lifecycle Management, Design & Merchandising Solutions and Home Furnishings Fabrics. In addition, Material World also features a comprehensive roster of educational programs, networking events, product packaging and trend pavilions. For more information, visit www.material-world.com.
Important Dates
July
27 |
[TC]² Student Intern Graduation at [TC]² |
31-Aug 2 |
Apparel Conference of the Americas – 2007 Casa Santo Domingo Antigua, Guatemala. |
August
15 |
Textile Fundamentals, Gaston College East Campus, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. |
22 |
Quality & Systems Improvement – Six Sigma for the Sewing Industry; Seminar at [TC]². For more details, click here. |
28 |
Developing Digitally Printed Products; Seminar at [TC]². For more details, click here. |
28 |
Apparel’s Sourcing Summit, presented at Sourcing at Magic, Las Vegas Convention Center |
September
13 |
Seams & Stitches – The Technical Details; Seminar at [TC]². For more details, click here. |
17-21 |
Intro to Apparel Manufacturing; Seminar at [TC]². For more details, click here. |
21-22 |
SEAMS Fall Meeting at [TC]². For details, visit www.seams.org. |
25-27 |
Material World, Jacob Javits Center, New York. For more details visit www.material-world.com. |
For detailed information about industry events, visit www.techexchange.com
Thanks to the techexchange site sponsors
Apparel Magazine, Gerber Technology, Lawson, Lectra, Methods Workshop and Reach Technologies.
A Look Ahead in the Newsletter
Material World
SEAMS Fall Meeting
View previous editions of this newsletter
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