The latest technology, applications, and advancements in the sewn products industry will be presented by experts and leaders from around the world during the Texprocess Americas Symposium being held May 13-15, 2014 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
The 2014 Symposium has been developed by industry experts to address the needs of the sewn products industry. The Symposium will once again be a structured program allowing time for presenters to interact with symposium attendees during and after each session and, as always, the program will allow for plenty of time to spend on the exhibition floor where companies from all aspects of the industry will be showcasing their latest innovative products and developments from around the world.
Held concurrently with the exhibition, the symposium will contain ten sessions with more than 60 presentations in a variety of formats that will cover a wide range of topics from fit, sizing and virtual try-on technologies, smart garment and e-textiles, enterprise software, design and product development, automation and robotics in apparel manufacturing, welding and stitch free, selecting needles, threads and construction strategies, and re-shoring, near-shoring and startup manufacturing options.
Re-Shoring, Near-Shoring, and Startup Manufacturing Strategies
Re-shoring and near-shoring initiatives - even start-up initiatives - are currently taking place and are important trends impacting the Americas - North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Basin. Historically notable apparel companies did not consider all of the costs involved in sending their manufacturing offshore, such as inventory carrying costs, traveling costs to check on suppliers, intellectual property risks, and opportunity costs from product pipelines being too long. Today they are looking at new opportunities for re-shoring and near-shoring.
Advancements in Non-Apparel Sewn Products Manufacturing Technologies
Manufacturers of non-apparel sewn products - technical, industrial, furniture, bagging, bedding, automotive, aviation, military, marine, recreation, - are continually challenged to stay up-to-date on new developments in technology and cost effective methods of manufacturing custom-designed products. Advancements in labor saving devices and attachments, programmable equipment, and fully automatic equipment from light duty to extra heavy duty are explored - ideal for manufacturers whose specialties are geared to high end production requiring very high quality construction and expertise.
Synchronizing the Cutting Room through Cut Order Planning
Technology has raised the bar on the cutting room floor, turning it into a real source of productivity, efficiency, and cost savings. The integration of software, advanced production systems, and real-time support from CAD, cut plan, fabric allocation, roll management, table management, and related processes (spreading, labeling, cutting) can deliver a sustainable competitive advantage. Cut Order Planning (COP) software bridges the gap between ERP and CAD systems and automatically generates an optimal cut plan by mixing products, styles, and sizes based on actual orders and fabric inventory.
Welding and Stitch-Free Seam Technologies
Stitch-free seam technology - welded or bonded - are two different concepts. Welding is the process of joining pieces of synthetic fabrics with various methods: hot air, hot wedge, RF, ultra sonic, plunge, laser, and impact. Bonding, on the other hand, can be performed on two pieces of fabric by placing a heat activated material (adhesive) between them. Stitch-free seaming technologies are extensively used in performance apparel, sportswear, and fitted active wear. Technical outerwear is becoming less bulky and more form-fitting while retaining the latest advances in waterproof and breathable capability.
Automation, Smart Machines, and Robotics in Apparel Manufacturing
Automation and robotics are used in the manufacture of sewn products to reduce cost, improve quality, enhance productivity, and de-skill operations for sewn products manufacturers. Today technicians who are specializing in robotics are creating an entirely automated process that will replace the need for seamstresses in factories and make the United States competitive in the garment industry again and at costs less than today's offshore costs.
Design and Product Development Technologies
Fashion design and product development taken as a whole is an integrated process whose function is to market a continuous stream of new products at a profit. Product development can become a strategic differentiator for a company when it's carried out quickly, accurately, and thoroughly communicated with the team. Software tools such as digital sketching, pattern and grading, PLM, and PDM enable faster creation and conveyance of product ideas all the way from concept creation to manufacturing or sourcing finished products.
Needles, Threads, and Garment Construction Strategies
It's a fact that any sewing production goes through the eye of a needle with sewing thread, a component of the sewing process that's seldom taken seriously. Needle and sewing thread greatly impact stitch formation, seam appearance, and the finished product. The right selections can lower overhead and increase profitability without adding additional labor while at the same time reducing the carbon footprint and allowing a company to become a more sustainable manufacturer.
Enterprise Software: From PLM to ERP
Clothing companies are increasingly turning to Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software tools that allow them to manage vast amounts of complex data from design to distribution. Increased compatibility, cloud-based systems, and data mining are among the most significant trends. PLMmanages the entire lifecycle of a product from conception, through design and manufacture, and on to service and delivery. ERP tracks business resources and supports basic internal business processes giving companies an integrated real-time view of their core business.
Smart Garment and E-Textile Technologies
While most common selling points for apparel used to be that that they would keep wearers warm (or cool) - and look good at the same time - rapid advancements in technology are creating a whole new industry of 'smart' garments, which can offer all sorts of intelligent, functional, fashionable, and comfortable properties to the wearer. Smart clothing and wearable technology involve the merging of electronics with textiles (e-textiles).
Fit, Sizing, and Virtual Try-On Technologies
Body scanning, fit, sizing, sampling, and 3D virtual try-on technologiescontinue to pave the way as fashion and apparel supply chains become more digital and require more customization. These technologies improve profitability through superior products that are designed using the latest market data, are tested in virtual space, andare brought to market very quickly. Color and styling selectionsbecome part of these technologies.
