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[TC]² Bi-Weekly Technology Communicator
2007 [TC]² Summer Student InternshipBy Karen Davis, [TC]²
Commencing May 29th, the eight week program will include seminars and hands-on training in various subjects including lean manufacturing concepts, pattern development and grading, product costing, seams and stitches classifications, product development, and much more. Projects include designing and producing a digitally printed product, and developing and presenting a product business plan for a new product. Melissa Essenpreis, 2006 Student Intern from Western Kentucky University comments, “Interning at [TC]² has truly helped me to grow personally and professionally. I will never forget all the valuable lessons that I learned, interesting people that I met, or the amazing relationships I have established. Thank you [TC]² for adding an unforgettable chapter to my life!” The selected students will receive paid travel to Cary, NC, housing, and a stipend during the course of the eight-week internship. Final selection will be made by the AAFA Human Resources Leadership Council. Completed applications must be submitted by January 19, 2007. To receive an internship application, click here. [TC]² Activity - MEGATEX 2006
By Kim Anderson and Kerry Maguire King, [TC]² This year, The American Textile Machinery Association-International (ATME-I) and The Industrial Fabrics Association International Expo The ATME-I featured a full range of textile equipment, from opening and blending to fabric formation and finishing. The IFIA showcased a variety of existing and emerging industrial fabric innovations. Some of the highlights of the two shows are detailed in the following text. Glen Raven, a manufacturer of outdoor fabrics, displayed Firesist® HUV (High UV Resistance), an awning fabric constructed with a proprietary polymer that has inherent fire retardant properties. The fabric is backed with a urethane acrylic coating, to give it superior durability and make it water resistant. Fabrics are offered in a variety of rich colors with low luster to give them a natural look. Due to the excellent ultraviolet protection of the Sunbrellaâ brand, Glen Raven has recently received the “Seal of Recommendation” by The Skin Cancer Foundation, an international organization dedicated to the prevention of skin cancer. Braiding machines were set-up and running, bringing to the forefront the attributes of this often forgotten method of fabric formation. Braiding technology has the unique ability to produce an array of products, from small diameter shoelaces, to large industrial ropes. Braided fabrics can also be made in a wide variety of shapes.
Warp and circular knit fabric constructions were represented. These types of constructions are intended for a variety of applications. Narrow width circular knit fabrics constructed with fiberglass, cotton and nylon for medical products were on display. An assortment of warp knit samples was exhibited, emphasizing the versatility of this fabric forming technology. Warp knits are used in numerous applications including medical, automotive and geo-textiles. A continuous process, (from yarn to finished fabric), including warping, weaving, dyeing and finishing of narrow width fabrics was featured. Narrow width fabrics are used for light elastic and rigid tapes as well as elastic and rigid belts. Picanol, Dornier and Staubli, producers of industrial weaving machines and special attachments, were present at this year’s MEGATEX. Some of the latest updates to weaving looms have concentrated on increasing machine speeds, lowering downtimes, producing wider width fabrics and increasing flexibility. A new sueding machine debuted at this year’s MEGATEX. The machine has been designed to produce suede fabrics in tubular form. The machine is equipped with twelve variable speed sueding brushes that can be adjusted to produce more or less brush-to-fabric contact. The brushes are accurately positioned to avoid seam marks that can occur when brushes overlap.
Julius Heywinkel Gmbh showcased a shade cloth designed to mimic the light cast by a large tree. A warp knit construction is used to produce a geometric pattern. The fabric is heavily coated with PVC. When light shines through the geometric pattern of the cloth, light and shade fields are created on the ground. The fields move constantly due to the earth’s rotation, preventing heat accumulation. Machines capable of transfer printing by means of dye sublimation were on display. This relatively simple method of printing fabrics constructed with synthetic yarns such as polyester, nylon and acrylic produces photographic detail that is ideal for banners and signs. In addition to the exhibitions, educational seminars were held by AATCC. There were also seminars held on a variety of subjects including medical, automotive and outdoor fabrics. One of the highlights of the AATCC C2C track was a presentation by Carol Revels, of Gap Inc. titled, ‘Describing Color Differences: How Good Are Your Color Comments?’ This presentation provided an overview of an internal research project that addressed the ability of trained personal to provide accurate descriptions of color differences between a color standard and submit within the visual color assessment environment. The results of the research showed that while expert staffers are readily able to identify color difference, accurately describing how to correct color is significantly more challenging; e.g., is the submit too red or too yellow? Too dark or too dull? This project was if interest as it provides tremendous support to the notion that efficiency within the supply chain is greatly enhanced by the use of state-of-the-art instruments and software to objectively assess color and communicate the data via digital means to supply chain partners. The ultimate goal in this scenario is to provide mills with accurate color information and reduce the number of iterations required to obtain the correct color and speed the right product to market. Also of note within the C2C track were presentations on 3D to 2D garment pattern generation (Cindy Istook, NCSU), Color Management for Textile Designers (Sam Hill, Springs Global), and Color and Trends for Home 2008 (Dana Poor, Cotton Incorporated). Camara Nacional de la Industria del Vestido
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1) By 2009, all the quotas levied on China by the Mexican government will be eliminated. |
TRENDEX, a company that conducts consumer purchase tracking studies for apparel and footwear, estimates that future trends for the Mexican apparel market are:
• Increase in specialty stores (i.e., GAP, ZARA)
• Reduction in the tianguis and independent store sectors
• Increase in imports
In ten years, 40% of Mexican apparel manufacturers will disappear. The companies that survive will have to uphold the credo of “speed to market.” The best resource for survival is excellent service.
The meeting closed with the following conclusions:
a) China after 2007 presents a series of challenges to the Mexican apparel sector; a joint strategy (CANAIVE - government) should be adopted. |
By Karen Davis, [TC]²
YKK was founded by Tadao Yoshida in Japan as a zipper manufacturing company in 1934. In the early years, Mr. Yoshida's company carried his name; it was called Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha--or "YKK" for short. Over the years, the letters "YKK" were stamped onto the zippers' pull tabs, and thus YKK became the company's trademark.
The Fastening Products Group meets continually changing market needs with three product business divisions - the Slide Fastener Division, the Textile and Plastic Products Division, and the Snap Fastener and Button Division. The YKK group currently does business in about 70 countries/regions worldwide. Its geographical management structure is divided into six blocks: 1) North and Central America; 2) South America; 3) Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); 4) East Asia; 5) ASEAN countries, South Asia, and Oceania (ASAO); and 6) Japan. This regional approach enables the company to adapt to the characteristics of each region to further expand its businesses.
YKK USA, headquartered in Marietta, GA, manufactures more than 1,500 zipper styles in more than 427 standard colors, and in as many special colors as can be imagined. The company also offers unique, value-added zippers--such as its Conceal® brand invisible zip with the teardrop pull-tab. YKK produces other zippers that are used in the luggage and sporting goods industries as well. Ratcheting sliders that slip down under pressure rather than breaking were developed for jeans and workwear. Vislon® is an injection-molded zipper with memory. It holds up through temperature extremes and adds fashion to a product. YKK even makes zippers for zipping up artificial grass football fields like the one at the Georgia Dome.
The YKK brand of woven hook and loop fastening tape is Cosmolon® SmartTouch®. Available in a wide range of styles and colors, it features an army of tiny nylon hooks designed to grab loops faster and hold tighter than similar products. Depending on the need, YKK's Cosmolon PowerHook® brand extruded hook is formed in four hook styles from nylon, polyester, polypropylene, high density polyethylene or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate); so it can be ultra thin, ultra strong, ultra competitive, and ultra versatile.
YKK's innovative line of plastic buckles and notions includes the tough-looking, easy-to-open YKK 3-way buckle brand of side-release buckles, an array of snap hooks, and a selection of tri-bars and D-rings to complement its clients’ webbing needs.
The YKK group includes an architectural products division, making entrance and window systems; a machinery and engineering division; and a research and development division. Current projects include the development of effective eco-friendly recycling technologies and other next-generation core technologies.
Using the "Cycle of Goodness" concept (no one prospers unless he renders benefit to others) as its compass, YKK is constantly seeking new ways to serve the changing needs of its diverse customers.
For more information on the YKK Group, go to www.ykk.com.
December
1-2 |
SEAMS Fall Networking Conference, Asheboro, NC. Visit www.seams.org for details. |
January 2007
23-25 |
Colombiatex 2007, Medellin, Colombia. For details, visit www.colombiatex.com. |
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 Fall Meeting
Apparel Tech Conference
View previous editions of this newsletter
[TC]²
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[TC]²’s highly acclaimed student internship study program for rising U.S. university seniors in apparel specific programs for management, engineering, or design/development is now accepting applicants for 2007. 
