Weekly Technology Communicator |
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MAGIC Show
The Women's Wear Daily MAGIC Show was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on August 30th to September 2nd, 2004 with a mission of bringing new seminars, new additions to the show floor, new on-site resources and a myriad of exciting happenings to make the show unforgettable.
[TC]² presented some of the SizeUSA sizing survey results and demonstrated the 3D to 2D pattern unwrapping software on the exhibit floor. The cutting edge software package converts 3D scan data into a flat pattern for slacks and prepares slopers for skirts and blouses.
An in-depth seminar was presented by Tim Curran, Manager, Contract Services, [TC]² in which he provided body measurement statistics from SizeUSA, the national sizing survey, on over 10,000 of the U. S. population divided into gender, six age ranges and four ethnic groups. The survey goal was to enhance the overall understanding of sizes and shapes of the current U.S. Population. The survey answers the question “In what ways has specific groups of American consumers changed?”
Kim Munro, Manager, Product Development Services at [TC]² presented a seminar on 3D to 2D pattern conversion. Direct pattern generation improves pattern integrity and reduces product development cycle time. Kim showed how [TC]²'s research initiatives to automatically generate 2D patterns directly from 3D body scan data can enable earlier fit consensus. Another use of this software is to generate patterns for the average person in the brand owner's target market from the SizeUSA data.
Tim Curran reports, “The show was HUGE; they were expecting 60,000 people and virtually all major retailers and brands were represented.”
SizeUK Press Conference at London College of Fashion
David Bruner, Ph.D., Director of Technology Development at [TC]² , was in London to assist with the installation of the 3D scanner at London College of Fashion and to participate in a press event announcing the results of SizeUK . He reports that the media coverage of the event was outstanding with several different film crews, London newspapers, and radio stations in attendance. The highlight of the event was the [TC]² NX-12 body scanner. The BBC ran live spots at their prime slot in the morning show reserved for their "interest piece". The live piece involved the reporter talking in front of the scanner - looking at scans on the screen - going in the scanner and showing a sequence - including her own scan taken earlier on the screen - and finally interviewing Dr. Philip Treleaven, director of the UK National Sizing Survey (SizeUK) and Pro-Provost and Professor of Computing at the University College London.
A different BBC crew filmed a piece for the after lunch news. Most of the reporters either scanned themselves or had a subject scanned as part of their report. The reports and interviews ran consecutively from 7:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. except during the half-hour formal presentation. Dr. Treleaven attributed the coverage to the scanner being there - as they had all come to film around it.
In his endorsement of the [TC]² scanner, Dr. Treleaven said: "… a US company produces the world's best 3D scanning system for automatically measuring large numbers of people, and a system that has been proven by the highly successful National Sizing Surveys of the United Kingdom and the United States."
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[TC]² Activity
[TC]² Demo Center
In the first issue of the [TC]² Newsletter we highlighted Digital Printing. This issue features the [TC]² Demonstration Center which illustrates the latest in apparel manufacturing technologies and processes in live operation including:
• single ply cutting
• leading Apparel CAD systems
• unit production system and stand-up hand-off production methodologies
• digital print design and production technologies
• leading supply chain software
• simulation tools
• 3D body measurement system and 3D to 2D pattern unwrapping software
• coming soon – RFID demonstration
Since 1989, [TC]² has demonstrated the use of short cycle production, and has taught thousands of plant personnel the benefit of using team-based production in both Unit Production Systems, or in Modular Work Groups. Drawing upon the best practices from around the globe, [TC]² personnel conduct seminars, and coach both management and teams in actual plant situations where production must continue as the transition to short cycle is made. Where lean manufacturing is required, and the investment in equipment cannot be made, [TC]² staff will assess the capability of personnel and systems to adapt to minimal work in process concepts, and will ensure that processes and systems will support the planned change. Thus, it is possible to improve throughput times, decrease inventory of partially finished units and raw materials and still meet delivery commitments without fully changing to modular or unit production systems.
For fifteen years, [TC]² has operated short cycle sewing lines. Visitors to the technology demonstration center are able to interact with the sewing specialists who are skilled in the assembly of sewn products, but who also form a vital teaching capability for those who attend seminars or short courses. In operation daily, and producing product that has strict quality and delivery requirements, this demonstration of short cycle sewing includes cutting and marker production.
Bob Fulenwider, Manager, Demonstration Center, states, "the mission of the [TC]² Demonstration Center is to showcase the latest technology used in the sewn products industry including prototypes and products from [TC]² technology development efforts and our Associate Members."
Member Profile
Leo's Dancewear
 For over 80 years, Leo's Dancewear has proudly been a leader in servicing the dance industry . Leo's is dedicated to superb craftsmanship while utilizing high-performance fabrics and materials to produce a complete line of dance costumes, dancewear, dance shoes and accessories that exceed its customers' expectations year after year.
Founded in Chicago in 1924 by Leo Harris, the company today still operates under its founder's name and is owned and operated by second and third generation descendants of Mr. Harris.
Trained in Europe as shoe designer, Leo Harris brought his artisan skills to the United States and began hand crafting dance shoes for some of the world's most renowned dancers. As shows were created in or came to Chicago, Leo was called upon to design and manufacture custom dance shoes for such dance greats as Eleanor Powell, Alexandra Danilova, Marina Franco, Slavenska, Paul Haakon and Bob Fosse. His shoe designing expertise was even sought after by the well-known “Flying Wallendas” and the infamous Tallulah Bankhead.
Since the beginning, design and innovation have been a hallmark of Leo's Dancewear. Cutting edge shoe and costume designs along with high performance bodywear help every dancer, skater or gymnast reach new levels of performance. Leo's has prided itself in forming lasting relationships with contemporary tap and jazz performers, such as Gus Giordano, Joe Tremaine, Al Gilbert, Marcéa Lane, Lane Alexander and most recently Brenda Bufalino, who helped create signature lines of Leo's shoes to meet the specific needs of dancers in their respective disciplines. In the 1950's Leo's introduced some of the first “ready-made” recital costumes in the dance industry, and continues today to provide high quality, fashion forward designs which inspire dancers to take their performance to a higher level.
The foresight, commitment, and passion for dance that led to the founding of Leo's Dancewear continues in its singular passion to produce the world's finest handcrafted dancewear products available in today's market.
[TC]² is currently working with Leo's Dancewear to make improvements in the plant floor layout and to implement efficiencies in its manufacturing methods.
You are invited to visit www.leosdancewear.com for more company information and to review its product lines.
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Important Dates
For detailed information about industry events, visit www.techexchange.com
A Look Ahead
American Apparel and Footwear Association Board of Director's meeting and a tour of the Capitol Building, Washington, DC on September 8 & 9.
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View previous editions of this newsletter
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