Technology Press Releases
Gerber Technology Extends Commitment To Training And Education With Launch Of Gerber University
Tolland, CT - Gerber Technology, a business unit of Gerber Scientific, Inc., a world leader in automated CAD/CAM and PLM solutions for the apparel and flexible materials industry, introduces Gerber University, an eLearning training option for Gerber customers. This web-based training curriculum is designed for experienced users who are looking to increase their proficiencies or to learn new features and functionalities of updated versions of Gerber's systems and software.
Gerber University allows users to maximize their educational experience while reducing costs, because they select, register, participate and complete the courses at their own convenience and pace. Each course includes a series of tutorials followed by a final exam that users must complete within 90 days.
"In today's workforce, we are facing ongoing budget and resource challenges that can interfere with a customer's ability to travel and participate in off-site training sessions," said Janell Copello, Supervisor, Software Product Services – Americas, for Gerber Technology. "Gerber recognizes the increasing importance of providing a convenient and customized educational resource to ensure our users maintain a competitive edge in the industry."
Gerber University offers a variety of online training courses throughout the year that are self-paced tutorials with multiple lessons that focus on production planning, design, pattern development, costing and marker making.
5/8/08
Textile & Sewn Products Industry Week 2010 Launched with Powerful Co-Location of
Key Established Trade Events
Atlanta, GA (USA) –The organizers of the three key industry trade shows in the Americas – ATME-I/MEGATEX, SPESA Expo, and Techtextil North America – have jointly announced that they have reached a landmark agreement to co-locate and align their trade shows at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA on May 18-20, 2010.
The three shows will take place in adjacent halls during the same dates, providing tremendous value for textile and sewn products industry professionals at all levels of the textile and sewn products manufacturing and application supply chains. This new event will create a truly “must attend” industry event for the Americas in 2010. The co-location and alignment means that attendees will be able to move freely between the individual shows and benefit from the industry-leading educational and networking seminars and special events all in the same venue.
The Textile & Sewn Products Industry Week 2010 events:
Techtextil North America is the premier exhibition for high performance technical textiles and nonwovens in North America. This is the only trade show that assembles all vertical aspects of the technical textile industry. From research and development, through raw materials and production processes, finally ending in conversion, further treatment and recycling. Held in conjunction with the show, the Techtextil North America Symposium offers several sessions, covering various application areas, focusing on the latest in research and emerging technology.
For more information on Techtextil North America (www.techtextilNA.com)
ATME-I/MEGATEX – American Textile Machinery Exhibition – International is the largest show of its kind in the Americas, drawing buyers of textile equipment and services to see the very best textile manufacturing technology in the world. ATME-I is one of the key international events for textile equipment buyers operators and professionals worldwide. The exhibition covers all types of textile equipment and services: dyeing, finishing, spinning, weaving, knitting, non-wovens, processing, making up and much more. It is recognized as the leading exhibition for the textile machinery, equipment, accessories, supplies and services for the yarn and fiber, weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing and finishing and for other nonwoven manufacturing industries. The most recent edition of ATME-I/MEGATEX took place in Atlanta in October 2006.
For more information on ATME-I/MEGATEX 2010 (www.atme-i2010.com)
SPESA Expo is the leading, most comprehensive exhibition and symposium in the Western Hemisphere focused on the full range of equipment, technology, and services for all segments of the global sewn products industry. SPESA Expo is solely owned by SPESA, the Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas. SPESA Expo serves all sectors of the sewn products industry including apparel, leather and footwear, upholstered furniture, technical textiles, home furnishings, and transportation interiors. SPESA Expo serves as the comprehensive global solutions resource by offering a full range of educational programming that supports and expands attendees’ use and knowledge of today’s technologies. For more information on SPESA Expo (www.SPESA.org)
5/8/08
Avery Dennison Launches New Eco-Friendly Heat Transfer Solution
Framingham, Mass.— A new water-based, eco-friendly heat transfer that is suitable for skin contact applications for baby wear and offers excellent wash resistance is now available from Avery Dennison. The new product, called Halo-Free ECO, was developed to meet the ever-increasing need for “tag-free” labelling solutions for the textile apparel industry.
Avery Dennison’s Halo-free ECO transfer is made from a proprietary formula of water-based inks – designed to deliver the softest quality label-free solution. Not only do these transfers feel good and look great, withstanding dry cleaning and home laundering to 140°F / 60°C, but high quality single color printing guarantees positive brand recognition and aesthetics that will not fade with wash or wear.
Halo-free ECO sets itself apart by carrying no visible adhesive shadow (Halo) around the motif, creating a crisp, clean image. The eco-friendly transfer has water based inks, no PVC and no harmful substances. The transfer is perfect for skin contact applications, due to its extremely soft and flexible hand. Halo-free ECO has excellent durability and is wash resistant - to match garment life cycle and maintain brand integrity.
Typical applications that the Halo-free ECO can be applied to include: men’s and women’s casual wear; children’s wear; intimate apparel; sportswear (not performance fabrics); and corporate wear.
4/25/08
DigiFab Systems Launches New Evolution Graphics RIP
Los Angeles, Calif. — DigiFab Systems, a manufacturer of pre- and post-press digital-printing equipment, CAD - RIP software, and pre-treated textiles, today announced the new DigiFab Evolution Graphics RIP. The new graphics raster image processor (RIP) from DigiFab Systems boasts smoother continuous tones, support for 12-color printers, and 16-bit processing capabilities.
A RIP allows users to get the maximum output from their medium and wide-format printer, and with the Evolution Graphics RIP, users can better preserve the original depth of color. For graphics and professional-photography applications outputting images from 16-bit RGB, DigiFab Systems has now added 16-bit processing — from source to output — to its Evolution Graphics RIP software. The RIP also improves the neutrality of gray-scale printing by eliminating typical color shifts.
Superior black-and-white printing is ensured through the software’s Gray-Scale option, which improves and enhances black-and-white images via image-patch profiling to adjust color.
Additional features of the Evolution Graphics RIP include newly formatted template options for photo importing, improved continuous and smooth tones via an enhanced use of individual inks, support for a wider range of printer models, and an assortment of textile-design printing functions typically not available from competitive graphic RIP products.
The software is compatible with most graphic programs as well as commercial software like Illustrator®, Photoshop®, and Corel®, and is ready to take care of all digital printing needs for illustrations, photography, fine arts, signage, banners and flags, posters, and more.
The DigiFab Systems Evolution RIP supports most major medium and large-format printers such as Canon, Epson, HP, Mimaki, Roland, and more.
4/25/08
OptiTex Inks Partnership with Luidi While Expanding Its Worldwide Network
Petach Tikva, Israel – OptiTex, a leading CAD/CAM design software manufacturer has announced that it has continued its pattern of successful global expansion with the opening of new offices in Belgium and Bangalore, India, striking a partnership agreement with Luidi of Los Angeles, and inking distribution agreements with Neural Technology S.A.C. of Perú and D&S Associates (Pvt) Ltd of Sri Lanka.
OptiTex’s cutting-edge CAD/CAM software not only increases speed to market, it provides an environmentally friendly, green edge by reducing machine/kilowatt use and manpower hours, beyond the obvious benefits of eliminating fabric waste. It also provides a fully customizable on-screen work environment to facilitate the creative process.
With distributors throughout North America, Europe Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, designers worldwide are already accessing the many benefits of OptiTex’s unique approach to design.
4/25/08
INVISTA Launches New CORDURA® Colorlock Fabric Collection
Wilmington, DE – INVISTA announces the latest addition to the CORDURA® brand portfolio: CORDURA® Colorlock fabrics. With 200 new color options, the fabrics provide excellent stain resistance, colorfastness and long-lasting, durable performance.
A process in which color is permanently built into the fiber eliminates the need to piece-dye fabrics, thus eliminating energy consumption and waste generation of traditional dyeing processes. Additionally, several colors in the CORDURA® Colorlock fabric portfolio are available with 25 percent pre-consumer recycled content.
Products made with CORDURA® Colorlock fabrics look newer longer, even when exposed to intense sunlight or the extreme temperature of industrial laundering. These characteristics make CORDURA® Colorlock fabrics an excellent design and performance option for packs, bags, luggage, upholstery, outdoor apparel and workwear applications.
“At the heart of CORDURA® Colorlock fabric technology is the same strength and durability you expect from all CORDURA® fabrics,” says Cindy McNaull, global brand manager for INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand. “Our fabrics’ inherent durability, coupled with solution-dyed technology that eliminates the dyeing step is testament to our commitment to provide customers and consumers with alternative, innovative fabric and design solutions.”
4/25/08
Manufacturing Excellence Workshops at Textile Technology Center
Belmont, NC – The Textile Technology Center at Gaston College, Belmont, NC presents a series of one-day seminars May 14-16, 2008. The programs focus on major short spinning systems, including Open End, Ring and Compact Spinning, and MJS and MVS.
To review the program agendas or to register, visit http://textilecenter.gaston.edu.
4/25/08
[TC]² Elects New Board Members
Cary, NC – At its Annual Meeting of Members and Board of Directors on March 18, 2008, [TC]² elected new members to its Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The newly elected Board members are: Keith Burchett of JCPenney Company; Diana Leonard, Jockey International; Philip Looby, Fechheimer Brothers; and Laura Rowen, Brooks Brothers.
Other members of the Board of Directors include: Bernard Leventhal, (Chairman Emeritus, [TC]²) ; Lennart Bjorklund, Hartmarx Corporation; Susan Black, Apparel Magazine, Edgell Communications; Frank Childers, Nordstrom; Keith Crisco, Asheboro Elastics Corporation; Brian Francois, Pulchra Chemicals LLC; Jeff Frye, Gap, Inc.; Dr. Blanton Godfrey, North Carolina State University; Kevin Hall, Hanes Brands, Inc.; Kat Heffron, Limited Brands, Inc.; Susan Jessup, Wachovia Bank N.A.; Mackey McDonald, VF Corporation; David Moody, Milliken and Company; Chuck Nesbit, Jr., Chico’s FAS, Inc.; Becky Rose, Invista; William Royal, Royal Park Uniforms, Inc.; Susan Sisk, Sears Holding Co.; Ed Thomas, Fruit of the Loom; Charles E. Whalen, Jr., Warren Featherbone Foundation; and J. Berrye Worsham, Cotton Incorporated.
Executive Committee members include: Lennart Bjorklund, Susan Black, Frank Childers, Dr. Blanton Godfrey, Kevin Hall, Diana Leonard, Bernard Leventhal, Mackey McDonald, David Moody, Chuck Nesbit, Jr., Laura Rowen, Charles Whalen, Jr., and J. Berrye Worsham, in addition to [TC]²’s Peter Butenhoff and Dr. Michael Fralix.
Honorary Board members include: Dr. Frederick Abernathy, Harvard Center for Textiles & Apparel Research; James Bennett, U.S. Dept. of Commerce; Kevin Burke, AAFA; and Burton Ruby, Trans-Apparel Group.
[TC]² is a recognized provider of solutions for the soft goods industry specializing in technology development and supply chain improvement. The company has recently relocated its offices to 5651 Dillard Drive, Cary, NC 27518.
Visit www.tc2.com for more company information.
4/25/08
Eton Celebrates 40 Years of Manufacturing Excellence with Launch of Next-Generation System at JIAM 2008
Forty years after inventing the Unit Production System (UPS), Eton Systems will mark its participation in the JIAM 2008 event in Singapore on May 13-16 by introducing its all-new Eton 5000 manufacturing and management solution. This 5th generation system features the fully integrated ETON 5000 syncro™ material handling system, ETON select ™ shop floor and management software, and extended ETON Training & Support Services tailored specifically to address the manufacturing imperatives of today’s apparel and sewn-products companies.
“Today’s apparel and textile manufacturers are challenged to produce greater product variety in even faster delivery cycles”, stated Eton Vice President Mikael Davidson. “Not only do high levels of manual handling and excess work-in-process increase costs, they add process time and create barriers to the flexibility and speed these industries need to compete.”
“The requirement for shorter production series and greater flexibility lead us to develop the ETON 5000 System. With the support of our customers, we have taken flexibility and modularity to a new level. This system enables apparel and sewn-products companies to increase productivity, improve quality and deliver quicker than ever before; even as they produce smaller order sizes and shorter cycles.”
4/7/08
Zweave launches Zdesign Desktop™, the first Managed Desktop Hosting Service for the Fashion Industry
Zweave, Inc., a leading Solutions Company for Collaborative Product Lifecycle Management based in New York City is launching the lat¬est product in its Solutions suite called “Zdesign Desktop™” on April 7th at Material World In Miami Beach. With the introduction of Zdesign DesktopTM, Fashion companies will now have available to them all the benefits of a professionally managed computer desktop. The Zdesign managed desktop solution provides a cost-effective, outsourced alternative for business applications, and Design applications through a seamless browser based in¬terface.
“Zdesign Desktop™ can manage the a suite of desktop applications and selected applica¬tions necessary to keep the workforce of product development focused organizations pro¬ductive and connected to their most important product information”, according to Laura McCann-Ramsey, CEO. “Small and medium size organizations require desktop support to manage software maintenance and upgrades, networking, server and file share manage¬ment, data back up and day to day technical and administrative support.”
4/7/08
Lectra Launches the Latest Version of Optiplan
Paris – Lectra, a world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to the soft goods industries, announces the new version of Optiplan, a powerful and comprehensive cut-order planning and optimizing software.
Thanks to Optiplan’s new features, manufacturers in the fashion and furniture markets can successfully combine extraordinarily powerful, algorithm-based software with the most up-to-date process methodologies to significantly optimize production processes and material utilization from the planning stage through to the production floor.
Optiplan fully integrates the cutting room’s “islands of technology” into one unique process, incorporating ERP, plotting, CAD and CAM systems to accelerate planning, costing and cutting processes. When combined with a fabric management system, Optiplan’s algorithm-based automatic planning feature allows the definition of marker lists according to the availability of material from stock. Manufacturers can easily enter, edit and view fabric roll information in order to improve the efficiency of material usage.
“Optiplan allows us to do our costing and our control of the yield to have the leading edge over those who are not using it as a tool. It is definitely a tool to be used in every cutting room,” said Andrew Sia, Chairman and CEO, ACE Style Group, one of Asia’s largest manufacturers of intimate apparel.
2/18/08
New Tharo PA2000t Label Printer/Applicator by Tharo Systems, Inc.
Brunswick, OH -- The new Tharo PA2000t Label Printer/Applicator is a cost-effective accessory for the Tharo H-400/H-600 Series of thermal/thermal transfer bar code label printers. The Tharo PA2000t Label Printer/Applicator is easy to use, with minimal adjustments necessary, quick setup and changeover for applying labels to the top or side of varying height or width products.
The PA2000t features a smaller footprint, 15” wide x 32” tall x 30” long, than other Printer/Applicators, with a remote front panel for easy access, regardless of the orientation of the applicator. It has an all-metal cabinet and is made to last with time-tested components. The heavy-duty cylinder will withstand high stress in side labeling, with minimal deflection, when using a conveyor.
2/12/08
Lectra Increases the Vector Product Range to Expand its Market
Paris – Lectra, a world leader in integrated technological solutions dedicated to industries that use soft materials, announces the launch of two new Vector lines: The VectorM88 and the VectorM55 lines – at the entry level of the Lectra range – as well as a new VectorLingerie, the VectorLingerieFX, dedicated to top of the range lingerie.
Designed for the fashion, automotive, technical textiles and furniture industries who produce in large runs and need to be highly productive to maintain their competitive edge, the VectorM88 line — available as VectorFashionM88, VectorAutoM88, VectorTexTechM88 and VectorFurnitureM88 — and the VectorM55 line — comprising the VectorFashionM55, VectorAutoM55 and VectorTexTechM55 — are adapted to each production type and the particular constraints of each business (fabric, market-related constraints).
The VectorM88 and VectorM55 lines can handle very long spreads, with optimum precision. Markers can therefore be produced with pieces nested at a tangent, offering significant material savings. With its 8cm operational cutting height, the VectorM88 line is specifically designed for thick, compressible materials such as jersey (fashion) or foam-backed (automotive). The VectorM55 line, with an operational cutting height of 5cm, is the ideal solution for compact materials, such as woven and coated materials or vinyl.
Following the success of the VectorLingerieMX specifically designed for very high volume lingerie production, Lectra is today launching the VectorLingerieFX designed to meet the most stringent requirements of luxury lingerie producers, who are looking for a particularly flexible and reactive tool for just-in-time production of small to medium quantities of highly-sophisticated pieces.
2/12/08
Wasatch Computer Technology LLC Releases Wasatch SoftRIP Version 6.3
Salt Lake City, UT - Wasatch Computer Technology has released Version 6.3 of Wasatch SoftRIP, its RIP and Print Management software. New features include a powerful Template Creator that defines layout image place holders for repeatable placement and sizing; Database Tools to import industry-standard or user-defined spot color matching tables; Two new Halftoning Innovations; and a RIP-to-TIF generic printer driver. Also included are new printer drivers for devices from Mutoh and US Sublimation. Wasatch will be demonstrating Version 6.3 at the upcoming ISA, FESPA, and DRUPA trade shows.
1/30/08
Tharo Systems’ RFID Wizard for Easylabel® Labeling Software
Brunswick, OH -- EASYLABEL®’s RFID Wizard allows you to easily create EPC (Electronic Product Code) and DoD (Department of Defense) smart labels. The RFID Wizard prompts for the necessary information and EASYLABEL will do the rest. RFID projects that do not require the EPC or DoD RFID code can use EASYLABEL to directly program HF (High Frequency) or UHF (Ultra High Frequency) smart labels in a hexadecimal or ASCII format.
EASYLABEL provides the option to import parts or all RFID data from sources such as: databases, serial files, user input, existing bar code or text fields, and external text files. Users may also choose to print the RFID data, encoded in the RFID tags, on smart labels as a text or bar code field.
An additional EASYLABEL RFID feature is the ability to write and print a report that includes the data used to program your printed smart labels. This report can then be used as part of an ASN (Advanced Shipping Notice) or to keep a record of labeled items.1/15/08
New Wasatch COLORIP Upgrade
Salt Lake City, UT— Wasatch Computer Technology has released the Wasatch COLORIP Upgrade, offering additional capabilities and compatibility to thousands of Roland owners around the world. With it, COLORIP users gain support of the latest file formats and operating systems, third party media profiles, and premium features including 16-bit color, direct to layout workflows, and pre-RIP nesting.
"Roland devices are well known for quality and durability," says Wasatch Vice President Jay Griffin. "The COLORIP Upgrade breathes new life into existing PRO II devices so users can continue to profit with their existing hardware investment."
1/15/08
Jesta I.S. Announces new Functionality in Vision Merchandising 10.0
New York, NY – Jesta I.S., a leading supplier of business solutions for the soft goods and specialty markets, announced today its latest release of Vision Merchandising. Vision Merchandising 10.0 contains new modules for Assortment Planning and Allocation, improved functionality and security around purchase order creation. It also features a more flexible inventory control module, further enhanced ease-of-use, and various other improvements to processes and performance.
“The Assortment Planning and Allocation modules make Vision Merchandising an even more appealing and logical choice for SMB retailers. Since Vision Planning is a module of Vision Merchandising, no integration is required. We believe this aligns well with the growing demand by the SMB market to reduce the number of software integration points,” stated Leslie Belcher, President of Jesta I.S.
“With the addition of these two modules, Jesta I.S.’ retail customers can benefit from the newest tools and best practices within their familiar Vision platform. Assortment Planning and Allocation are particularly well suited to our specialty customers and also equally beneficial to all retail customers,” commented Nicholas Cherney, Director of Product Marketing for Jesta I.S.
1/14/08
The “Cool Zone” Goes to “Coolombia”
Raleigh, NC USA - Following its very successful debut at SPESA Expo in Miami Beach in May 2007, [TC]² and SPESA are partnering to set up and coordinate another “Cool Zone” at Colombiatex de las Americas in Medellín, Colombia on January 22-24, 2008. Just as Miami Beach became a very cool place to be last May, Colombiatex will become “Coolombiatex” by the time the 100 square meter Cool Zone exhibit is set up.
Such companies as American & Efird (www.amefird.com), Audaces (www.audaces.com.br), Lectra (www.lectra.com), Shapely Shadow (www.shapelyshadow.com), Schmetz (www.schmetz.com), Tukatech (www.tukatech.com), OptiTex (www.optitex.com) and WRAP (www.wrapapparel.org) have already committed their support. The anchor exhibitor of the Cool Zone is Shapely Shadow, a Los Angeles-based company that will showcase its FastFit™ application. FastFit™ is a 3D imaging technology that facilitates a cost effective way of communicating product information throughout the supply chain. Rotating 3D samples can be attached to an email. Visitors to the Cool Zone can experience the product and will be given their own personal FastFit™ computer file.
Tukatech will show its e-fit Simulator. The e-fit Simulator is a 3D system with a built-in motion simulator for fit development and fit verification. It also has color tension mapping, X-Ray vision and other features that allow results that are identical to traditional fit sessions, but without the need to create physical samples. In addition, Tukatech will show how e-fit Simulator can send files to an iPhone™ for viewing.
Lectra’s Kaledo 3D Trend product will demonstrate how animated storyboards can be created in 3D. This technology allows designers to create and animate trend boards by composing a collection environment in three dimensions and adjusting styles and designs with other multimedia components such as sound or video.
[TC]² will demonstrate how personal avatars become truly personal when they are created using 3D body scanning technology. Avatars can also be used by brands and retailers to predict consumer acceptance to styles that are launched in virtual communities, such as Second Life (www.secondlife.com), prior to launching them in the real world. These avatars will also integrate with the technologies showcased by Tukatech and Lectra.
For more details, or to register to attend, go to www.colombiatex.com.
1/8/08
Browzwear Develops New Software Features, Promoting Better Collaboration in the Fashion Industry
Tel Aviv, Israel –Browzwear International, a leader in 3D fashion design and communication software, today unveils V-Stitcher™ 4.2, the newest version of its 3D fashion design application. By improving fabric simulation and adding new features, including 3D notes and custom camera angles, Browzwear delivers superior creative freedom and better collaboration capabilities.
Browzwear's software is unique in its ability to simulate real-life fabric draping in real time. The new intuitive collaboration features empower designers, pattern makers, retailers, brands and manufacturers, promoting better communication throughout the entire design process. V-Stitcher 4.2 also delivers faster and more lifelike simulation than ever before, introducing a smocking effect for loose fitting garments, new hairstyles, a new anatomically accurate baby avatar and big-size woman avatar.
"The increasing demands of the fashion and textile industries for solutions that would bridge the communication gap have challenged us, at Browzwear, to create new collaboration tools," says Aviela Sherbu-Cohen, Browzwear's CEO. "Browzwear is committed to the advancement of 3D fashion design and communication technology for the 160 industry-leading clients already enjoying this competitive edge, and for those still to come."
1/8/08
Eton Expands Coverage in Bedding and Other Key North American Market Segments
Alpharetta, GA - Eton Systems, a leading provider of automated production and materials handling systems for the sewn-product industries, has expanded its North American operations to meet fast-growing demand in the bedding and other commercial and industrial textile market segments. Key elements in the expansion are a new marketing alliance and refocusing of internal business development teams and activities.
Eton has formed a marketing alliance with Galkin Automated Products, a developer and marketer of automated workstations and production equipment to the mattress and other sewn-products manufacturers. Under the new agreement, Galkin will promote Eton’s line of computerized conveyor and shop floor data collection solutions in the North American mattress manufacturing market.
In addition to alliances, Eton has realigned its internal sales and marketing efforts to address growth markets. Since being named to the top North American post earlier this year, Per Bringle has refocused the company’s business development efforts on fast-growing and high-potential market segments where Eton has experienced success on a global basis. “While our apparel and fashion customer list continues to grow, we have restructured our business to generate and meet demand from more commercial and industrial textile markets”, noted Bringle. “Specific examples are bedding, which has now become our fastest growing segment; and draperies and window coverings, with a number of new installations in recent months.”
1/2/08