Changing Technology (1 Viewer)

[ahgachakachenga]

CHANGING TECHNOLOGY

In the textiles industry access to new technology is almost indispensable.​

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

CAD programs allow:
- The designing of woven and knitted fabrics
- Viewing the designs on a monitor
- Changing the colours
- Modifying the fabric structure
- Printing the design
Garments can be viewed in three dimensions and changes to the design can be made rapidly, effectively and economically. This saves time, fabric and labour. The final garment can be viewed in both style and colour prior to production.
It is also used for grading and marker-making in garment manufacture.

Computerised Control

The many and varied stages of textile and clothing manufacture can now be effectively controlled by computerised systems in areas such as:
· Stock control
· Delivery schedules
· Keeping track of production flow
· Adapting ‘just in time’ principles – less storage space needed

Control systems can be applied to manufacturing processes. They monitor adjustments to ensure that a particular process remains within set limits.
· Temperature control of dyeing and finishing operations
· Control of concentration of chemicals in processes
· Control of tension and yarn breakages during spinning, knitting and weaving

Computer-controlled Manufacturing Work Cells and Controllers

Work cells – are two or more machines which work together to produce a garment in a sequence of operations. The garment is transferred between or within a machine by robot-type devices.

Controllers – are the software systems or the computer programs, which enable the interfacing of work cells with CAD production planning and control, to make improvements in the economies of production.

Systems Technology

Refers to the software systems that use specialised computer programs. They provide some control and add flexibility to the manufacturing process as follows:
- An operator can send information through an interface to several processes
- A program controls a single unit of production or an entire series of machines.
- Monitors a process to ensure quality control
- Creates and maintains a data base for stock information, design details, costing etc

Machine Technology

Allows more effective control and monitoring of each stage of the process.
Improvements due to changing technology have been applied to spinning and weaving. These improvements have reduced the number of workers required to maintain and operate the same number of machines.

Robotics

Used to perform many of the repetitive operations. Such as materials-handling.

Communications Technology

The ability to communicate rapidly is now a reality with the development of modems, satellites and e-mail. Communication is now quick and effective.