[TC]² Technology Communicator

International Conference on 3D Body Scanning Technologies 2010

By Dr. David Bruner, [TC]²

This October, [TC]² is taking part in the International Conference on 3D Body Scanning Technologies 2010. I will be presenting [TC]²’s latest 3D body scanning hardware and software applications for Apparel, Health/Fitness, Medical, Entertainment and Gaming. In addition, the market leading NX-16 3D body scanner will be on display courtesy of [TC]²’s European distributor, ShapeAnalysis.

Numerous users of [TC]² body scanning technologies will also be presenting at the conference including University College of London; NECTEC, SizeThailand; Select Research; London College of Fashion; and Cornell University.

[TC]² will be demonstrating its upcoming Version 7.0 Body Measurement System software with significant updates in several areas including:

- Integrated Virtual Fashion - 3D body scan avatars and avatar animation - Body to garment gap analysis - Open Source redistributable 3D Avatars - Face texturing from Photos - Health/Fitness/Weight loss applications

Garment sample from Arthur Caliman of Brazil

The conference will take place in Lugano, Switzerland, October 19–20, 2010.

Visit the conference website http://www.3dbodyscanning.org/2010/home.html to learn more.

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Garment Seams: Stitched, Stitchless, or Seamless?

By J. Michael Quante
Reprinted from the August 3rd AATCC Newsletter

Garment makers spend much time and effort on seam engineering depending on the garment: thread properties and how much to use, type of stitch, thread abrasion properties, and so forth.

Although stitching is a relatively fast, low cost, and simple operation with modern sewing machines, there are definite drawbacks. Cutting and sewing is labor-intensive, fabric can be damaged by needles, stitched seams can leak and add stress to garments, and a large amount of fabric waste is generated in the process. Seam failure early in a garment's life can be the kiss of death to a manufacturer.

With all of the issues surrounding stitched garment seams, what alternatives are available?

Read the entire article here...

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[TC]² Activity
Haiti Apparel Training Center Opens

By Karen Davis, [TC]²

Working through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and CHF International, [TC]² has developed the first initiative for the training center in Port au Prince with the Sewing Operator Training School. Thirteen Sewing Operator Trainers were trained and two classes of new operators had graduated and been deployed into the work force when the earthquake struck in January, and training was halted. The center was temporarily used for emergency aid relief, but the building has been restored and the opening ceremonies were conducted on August 11th. Sewing Operator Training classes will start back in September.

[TC]² President Dr. Michael Fralix speaks at Haiti Apparel Center Opening Ceremony (pictured with translator).	The HAC has been set up with 150 brand new sewing machines including single needle, cover stitch, lockstitch and overlock machines.

US Ambassador to Haiti Kenneth H. Merten shakes hands with Haitian Minister of Trade Josseline C. Féthière while CHF Haiti Director Alberto Wilde and the President of the Association of Haitian Industries Georges Sassine look on.

The 30,000 square-foot center will be a training center for sewn product workers and will elevate the skills of the Haitian workforce. This project was made possible with the CTMO-HOPE Commission, ADIH and the technical expertise of [TC]². The center will be able to train over 2,400 sewing machine operators yearly.

The center will not only instruct sewing machine operators, but will encompass in its teaching almost every level of worker in a sewn products factory, from the factory floor to executives. In addition to the operator training program, there will be a mechanics training course to develop technical capabilities, a middle management and supervisor development program to develop core competencies, and an executive seminar series that will focus on world-class business processes, technologies, and future industry direction. The first executive seminar was conducted by [TC]²’s President, Dr. Michael Fralix, following the center’s opening ceremonies .

Will Duncan of [TC]² comments, “It is official! The ribbon has been cut and the Haiti Apparel Center is now a reality. The inauguration went very well, with about 180 in attendance. Over 50 individuals attended the first Executive seminar.

Now that we have this wonderful center, the real work begins to finish developing and delivering training that will transform not just an industry, but a nation.”

To read the complete USAID press release, go to: http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2010/pr100811_1.html.

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Member Profile - Pulcra Chemicals

By Karen Davis, [TC]²

Pulcra Chemicals is a supplier of innovative specialty chemicals for the fiber, textile, and leather industries. The company’s global focus is on the prevailing trends relating to health and safety, environmental sustainability, and comfort. The company develops and markets innovative and market leading finishes for functional textiles.

Within the fiber and textile segments, Pulcra Chemicals offers products and technical support covering all stages of textile production. Its portfolio ranges from process auxiliaries for the manufacturing of man-made fibers, yarn production in secondary spinning, weaving, pretreatment, dyeing and printing, and finishes adding desired performance and needed functionality in the final fabric or garments.

For the leather sector, the company offers a complete range of specialties designed to ensure that materials can be efficiently processed, dyed, and finished to the highest standards for leather goods, from shoes to garments to automobile upholstery.

Headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, Pulcra Chemicals operates production facilities, service centers and sales offices in fourteen countries. The company’s affiliate in the United States, Pulcra Chemicals LLC, is located in Charlotte, NC. More information about Pulcra can be found at www.pulcra-chemicals.com.

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MindWorks Celebrates Ten Years as an Independent Business

By Jud Early, [TC]²

[TC]² celebrates the tenth anniversary of MindWorks Multimedia as an independent company. This month marks ten years since MindWorks left the [TC]² fold to fly with its own wings. Originally known by the less glamorous designation MTB, the Media Technology Branch produced cutting edge multimedia systems pioneered by the team of videographers, editors,  instructional design specialists, programmers and technical staff who served the sewn products industry for more than ten years. 

As manufacturing jobs left the U.S., the need to train technical staff in domestic apparel plants declined. Working through a series of alternatives, from textile equipment, to cigarette manufacturing and nuclear fuel rod production, it became clear that the newly renamed MindWorks did not fit within the parent company’s mission to serve the apparel industry.

In the year 2000, a deal was struck by Greg Rowland to purchase the assets of MindWorks, and to take with him a small core of experts to form a for-profit corporation. Accepting the debt that accompanied the purchase, the MindWorks team found a new home in an old television studio in South Durham and set about the creation of a new image and a new client base.

Over the years MindWorks has recreated itself and is now recognized as a major force in the multimedia business. It has grown its offerings to include planning the launch of new products, event planning and management, team building for multiple clients and, of course, the core business - multimedia, video and visual communication. 

The team is not only dedicated to growth of the business, which has thrived even during the recent economic downturn, but also to being good corporate stewards, with a commitment to donate, at a minimum, ten percent of the company’s profits to civic and community causes. The Triangle Business Journal listed MindWorks among the eighteen top triangle corporations for philanthropy. We take pride in the work that Greg Rowland and his team of professionals has done, and like a proud parent, want to share their story with all of our associates.  Well done, team!

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Responsible Manufacturing:
Global Best Practices in Sustainability, CSR and More

By Karen Davis, [TC]²

Progress on labor and environmental issues over the past 15 years in facilities producing consumer goods for export has, by most accounts, been nothing short of impressive. More progress needs to be made, but as WRAP celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the organization is facilitating a meeting of the best minds and leaders from around the world to share their progress for the benefit of all.

The event will take place in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on November 18-19, where senior executives who are running businesses – executives who have invested in leading-edge programs and technologies that have directly improved their business processes and profitability – and have demonstrated their commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices will take part in information-sharing sessions. You will hear how investing in programs ranging from waste treatment to day care centers, chemical management programs, alternative energy, health care, education and training and even local sports have improved their operations and contributed to the improved well-being of the community.

For more details, go to www.wrapapparel.org.

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Important Dates

September

October

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.

View previous editions of this newsletter

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