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Index Printing 2005: A Digital Reality Seated Pose Measurements Available [TC]² Activity Member Profile - Asheboro Elastics Corporation Important Dates A Look Ahead

Printing 2005: A Digital Reality

May 24-26, 2005 at New School University in New York

The New School University, in the heart of Greenwich Village, is the site for the Digital Printing Symposium co-produced by AATCC and [TC]². A program, headed by Brooks Tippett of Pantone, Inc., has been developed which highlights technologies and applications for the digital printing process. Presenters include hardware, ink and software suppliers, printers and designers using the technology, and educators focusing on the collaboration of academia and industry. Jud Early of [TC]² will be presenting “Finishing the Job: Overview of Ink Jet Fixation Equipment.” Optional tours of digital fabric printing sites will be provided on the final day. For more information or to register, visit http:/www.aatcc.org/workshops/Printing2005.cfm .

Seated Pose Measurements from 3D Body Scans Available

[TC]² announces the release of a new 3D body scanning software application for automatically extracting human body measurements from seated pose body scans. The application has been developed under contract to QinetiQ ( www.qinetiq.com ), a leading defense contractor headquartered in the United Kingdom. QinetiQ acquired [TC]² 's model 2T4 full body scanner and standing pose automatic measurement software in 2002. According to Simon Green, 3D body scanning anthropometric specialist in the Centre for Human Sciences Division of QinetiQ, “ The development of the new seated posture software is an exciting acquisition for QinetiQ. Combined with the standing posture software, it will allow us to offer our customers a more flexible anthropometric approach to aid in the ergonomics of cockpit workspaces and future aircrew clothing design.” Graham Turner, Senior Consultant for QinetiQ Anthropometry and Aircrew Equipment Integration, added, "A proposal has been made to conduct an anthropometric survey of up to 1,000 UK military aircrew to investigate growth trends since the previous large scale survey of 1970/71. To use the [TC]² scanner most efficiently, it is a pre-requisite that automated seated measurement extraction is available to gather information on both standing and seated postures for clothing and crew station applications." Turner goes on to say, "QinetiQ has developed a unique method of applying anthropometric data to clothing sizing. The software calculates size rolls using a scientific 'Knowledge Based System' (KBS) methodology and inputs anthropometric dimensions into a 'Computer Aided Design' (CAD) system to produce sizing templates for single garments or layers of garments for complete multi-layered clothing assemblies.  The input uses some seated measurements, so ideally the KBS should input data directly from 3D scans. The KBS will be used to validate size rolls for development flying in the F35 Joint Strike Fighter* program for the UK Ministry of Defense."

David Bruner, [TC]² 's VP of Technology Development, comments, “This is the first commercially available seated pose automatic measurement software application on the market. Our unique partnership with QinetiQ allows us to distribute this new software for applications which do not compete for UK Ministry of Defense contracts. It can be made available for a wide variety of seated pose anthropometric projects around the world.”

* F35 Joint Strike Fighter : http://www.jsf.mil/

“The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is the Department of Defense's focal point for defining affordable next generation strike aircraft weapon systems for the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and our allies. The F-35 is the next generation strike fighter bringing cutting-edge technologies to the battlespace of the future. The JSFs advanced airframe, autonomic logistics, avionics, propulsion systems, stealth, and firepower will ensure that the F-35 is the most affordable, lethal, supportable and survivable aircraft ever to be used by so many warfighters across the globe.”

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[TC]² Activity
Technology Discovery Tour

[TC]²'s Mike Fralix and Jud Early traveled through six countries in Europe from April 11-21, utilizing seven airlines, twelve trains, and numerous taxis and private cars to complete a whirlwind schedule of plant visits and business discussions. And, with all the logistics required for such a trip, all the connections were completed, albeit with only minutes to spare in some instances. A brief summary of their itinerary follows.

Click for larger image

First stop – Amsterdam – to visit Modint, a Dutch Apparel Association, which is part of the International Apparel Federation. Mr. Han Bekke, the general manager, provided an overview of the 800 member organization. With 99% of manufacturing being done off-shore, Modint has broadened its offerings from training and educational programs to include acting as a credit and collection agency to assist its members in collecting outstanding accounts. Many other services and project areas are available to members. Each member is expected to subscribe to a minimum of two services.

A visit to Stork Digital Imaging in Boxmeer, The Netherlands followed, where a tour of the printer development center was provided. Stork focuses on machine optimization, inks, and software for color and printer management, and plans to release a new version soon, which will include advanced color imaging with finer ink droplets and better dithering patterns, as well as enhancements on fabric roll loading and unloading. The printers utilized are mostly Mimaki, either roller fed or with blanket belts. They operate a printing facility in Thailand which runs 24/7.

The Lille, France stopover permitted a trip to Picanol in Belgium, guided by Henry Shaw. Picanol is designing high-tech looms operating at up to 1500 picks per minute. Picanol also builds weaving equipment in China. New models of the Omni 800 were demonstrated to the visitors.

Taking the Chunnel train to Heathrow and flying to Belfast, the travelers next met with John Haycock with the Clothing Training Authority. This organization has been transformed into a training and consultancy agency which includes First Aid training and certifications. Its programs extend into Sri Lanka, Turkey, South Africa, and beyond. Not much apparel manufacturing is being done in Ireland currently; rather, they are sourcing through Eastern Bloc countries and the Ukraine. Linda Jamison and Adrian Gundy of the Center for Competitiveness are working with organizations to provide training for creativity, innovation, productivity, and quality excellence. While at the Center for Competitiveness, Jud and Mike also met with Bob Barker, who is marketing a process in which Lycra is recycled from waste and converted to different forms. Some potential uses are to ruggedize cell phones against damage from being dropped.

Traveling back to London, visits were made to [TC]² scanner sites at Selfridges Department Store and the London College of Fashion. The Selfridges operation is run by Bodymetrics, who are offering custom jeans in ten fabrics with three rises and three leg styles. These jeans are delivered in six weeks, with a 90% first-time satisfaction. The London College of Fashion has purchased the new NX 12 3D body scanning system for research projects.

An appointment at Printos, in Huntingdon, England, where a Netherlands company is developing print heads and engines for digital printing was next on the itinerary, followed by a meeting with Ken Watson of the Industry Forum, to discuss mutual training program projects.

The travelers moved on to Stuttgart for a visit at Hohenstein Institute. There they met with Dr. Stefan Mecheels, President and CEO and Martin Rupp, Head of the clothing technology department. This organization is predominantly doing textile testing for pilling and other characteristics. It has gone from 100% government support to 10% with 90% income from industry projects. The business model has shifted from an educational facility to service projects for fees. Its staff is consulting on strategies and product serviceability. The Institute is doing work on 3D body scanning and visualization projects using the Tech Math scanner.

This technology discovery trip was to view technologies under development, reinforce [TC]² relationships, and make new connections throughout Europe. The above is not all-inclusive; many other conversations and meetings provided greater insight into the European perspective of the global soft goods industry. A final report covering emerging technologies and other current topics, such as RFID, will be presented at the Apparel Tech Conference in New York on November 10th. For more information on the conference, visit www.apparelmag.com .

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Member Profile

The Customer Connection

Headquartered in Asheboro, NC, Asheboro Elastics Corporation has emerged as a leader in elastic technology. With customers like Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, Lee Jeans, Sara Lee Knit Products, Jockey International, and Liz Claiborne, AEC employs state-of-the art knitting machines to create different elastics for thousands of uses. It is able to respond to orders for large quantities, and can process shipments quickly. A variety of technologies are used to serve diversified markets.

Asheboro Elastics works with its customers to develop elastic to meet product development needs for special features. The customer's vision is incorporated into the product design, with Asheboro's trademark quality. Elastics that wear cooler, sew easily, dry quickly, and retain shape after home laundering are important factors to its customers. Reliability makes a customer connection from manufacturing, right through retail satisfaction, attainable. “We pledge to you a product - a quality product - that is delivered on time and we pledge to conduct our business in a very professional manner and to be customer-focused. Thank you most sincerely for your business and the trust you have placed in us,” Keith Crisco, President, proclaims about the important and well-understood customer satisfaction factor in making and delivering a quality product.

As one of INC magazine's fastest growing privately held companies in the United States, Asheboro Elastics proudly emphasizes four factors that contribute to its growth – Quality, Value, Service, and Timely Delivery. Highly skilled employees devote time to carefully guide every phase of production – to guarantee quality in all elastic fabrics.

One of their newest processes is the patented Ravlok™ technology designed to re-create the benefits of woven knitted elastic. Knitted elastics can be created without top-edge raveling. Combined with an “Intertexture” concept developed by Beech Island Knitting, it is possible to have a similar hand and thickness to woven elastics. These attributes make a perfect solution for waistbands in men's and boys' briefs – or any product in which knitted elastic is used. With lower costs and a longer product life, these desirable products add to the long list of AEC's offerings. EZCord™ is another patented breakthrough technology in corded elastics. Continued hard work by its Research and Development team and the addition of a second manufacturing plant in the Caribbean contribute to AEC's advancement in the elastics industry.

All Asheboro Elastics products and services are accessible internationally with its distribution through the Dominican Republic and warehouse distribution centers in Miami, Florida, Brownsville, Texas, and Mexico.

Asheboro Elastics recently supported [TC]²'s 25th Anniversary Open House as an event sponsor.

To learn more about AEC, visit www.asheboroelastics.com .

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Important Dates

May

June

For detailed information about industry events, visit www.techexchange.com

Thanks to the techexchange site sponsors Apparel Magazine, Gerber Technology, Intentia, Lectra and Methods Workshop.

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A Look Ahead

AAFA Enterprise Competitiveness and Supply Chain Committees Meet

AATCC/[TC]² Symposium - Printing 2005: A Digital Reality

View previous editions of this newsletter

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