Sewn Products Technology Development

The Apparel Technology Development team at [TC]² develops products and technology components for the US Apparel Industry under a U.S. Department of Commerce grant to fulfill a mission to directly or indirectly benefit the apparel industry. The direction for these developments is provided by a technical advisory group that is made up of key industry leaders and also by the [TC]² Board of Directors. Additionally, the Technology Development team conducts privately funded contract development of private and proprietary products and services.

3D Body Scanning TEchnology used to develop a better fit on apparel 3D Body Scanning Technology used to develop a better fit on apparel
A 3D body scan in process
[TC]² Technology Development Lab [TC]² Technology Development Lab

View steps in the process of custom pattern unwrapping.

Examples of past and current publicly funded projects include:

  • The world's leading 3D body scanner system for automatic measurement of human bodies (as competitively measured by SizeUK now in use around the world)

  • Software applications for the automatic extraction of valuable data (measurements, volume, areas, body shapes, garment patterns) from 3D scans

  • SizeUSA, the first statistically significant sizing survey of the US population using 3D body scan technology

  • Examples of private and proprietary contract products and services include:

    • Web-based apparel customization, order entry, and fabric inventory control software

    • Proprietary body measurement surveys using 3D body scanning

    • Fit model scanning and data processing services for fit assessment, custom dress forms, and virtual dressing simulation

    • Software automation tools used in conjunction with commercially available industry software

    • Simulation of complex systems and products using finite element technology and 3D body scanning

The team in Technology Development at [TC]² includes a professional staff of engineers with expertise and capabilities in: electrical engineering, software engineering, mechanical engineering, textile engineering, computer science, optics, physics, textile design and apparel design.