CAD in the “Real World”CAD in the “Real World”Experiences from Textile/Garment IndustryExperiences from Textile/Garment Industry

Jimmy K.C. LamJimmy K.C. LamThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Ref: CAD in the real world. Using CAD Clothing/Textile System in IndustryRef: CAD in the real world. Using CAD Clothing/Textile System in Industry by Roz Davies , Coutaulds Lesiurewear, U.K.by Roz Davies , Coutaulds Lesiurewear, U.K.

AgendaAgenda

IntroductionIntroduction Design, quality, delivery and priceDesign, quality, delivery and price

Total CAD offers in Textile/Garment IndustryTotal CAD offers in Textile/Garment Industry CAD Application in Garment businessCAD Application in Garment business Investment in CAD for garment businessInvestment in CAD for garment business Examples :Methods of working, evaluation Examples :Methods of working, evaluation

and quick response to garment supply chainand quick response to garment supply chain

IntroductionIntroductionCAD in real worldCAD in real world

CAD in the “real world” emphasizes the day to day CAD in the “real world” emphasizes the day to day productivity requirements to cope with in an ever productivity requirements to cope with in an ever demanding industrial environment.demanding industrial environment.

This is an excitement and frustration in taking theory This is an excitement and frustration in taking theory into practice and continually improving processes of into practice and continually improving processes of design and product development.design and product development.

The CAD process is viewed from the mass production The CAD process is viewed from the mass production on a large retain chain store of garment business in on a large retain chain store of garment business in terms of design, quality, delviery and price.terms of design, quality, delviery and price.

What CAD can offer?What CAD can offer?Product Design Activities in Garment Product Design Activities in Garment

Activities in Garment Product Design Activities are:Activities in Garment Product Design Activities are:– 1) Design1) Design

– 2) Illustration2) Illustration

– 3) Pattern Design3) Pattern Design

– 4) Product Cost4) Product Cost

– 5) Sample Cutting5) Sample Cutting

– 6) Sample Making6) Sample Making

– 7) Product Specification7) Product Specification

– 8) Marker Making8) Marker Making

Product Design ActivitiesProduct Design Activitiesin Garment (2)in Garment (2)

Amongst all activities (eight) mentioned above, Amongst all activities (eight) mentioned above, which one cannot be done by modern CAD which one cannot be done by modern CAD technology? And why?technology? And why?

Activity OneActivity One2D Graphic Design2D Graphic Design

A computer tool with graphic capabilities A computer tool with graphic capabilities allows user to scan in or create on screen many allows user to scan in or create on screen many types of images and manipulate them.types of images and manipulate them.

The quality, capability and prices vary The quality, capability and prices vary enormously in this technology.enormously in this technology.

Important issues are cost, colour, high image Important issues are cost, colour, high image resolution, sensitivity to designer and links in resolution, sensitivity to designer and links in the supply chainthe supply chain

Activity TwoActivity TwoPattern DesignPattern Design

A computer tool allows user to scan, digitise in or A computer tool allows user to scan, digitise in or create pattern blocks on screen, apply grades and create pattern blocks on screen, apply grades and redesign pattern pieces where necessary.redesign pattern pieces where necessary.

Important issues are ease of use, speed of use and Important issues are ease of use, speed of use and communication.communication.

Examples on pattern design are :Prima Design System, Examples on pattern design are :Prima Design System, Shima Design System (Industry-specified).Shima Design System (Industry-specified).

Examples on 2D Graphic design are: Illustrator, Coral Examples on 2D Graphic design are: Illustrator, Coral Draw, Photoshop (General-purpose design system)Draw, Photoshop (General-purpose design system)

Activity ThreeActivity ThreeCosting SystemsCosting Systems

A computer tool allows quick and easy access to standard A computer tool allows quick and easy access to standard minute, trim and fabric databases for the calculation of a full minute, trim and fabric databases for the calculation of a full product cost.product cost.

As business grows, the need for accurate product costing and As business grows, the need for accurate product costing and the monitoring of cost fluctuations become paramount.the monitoring of cost fluctuations become paramount.

Important issues are accurate data collection, maintenance, ease Important issues are accurate data collection, maintenance, ease of use and interpretation into the design environment.of use and interpretation into the design environment.

Example: General Sewing Data (GSD), Activity Based Costing Example: General Sewing Data (GSD), Activity Based Costing (ABC).(ABC).

How can you calculate product cost in sewing industry? Time measurement? Piece rate?

Activity FourActivity FourSample cuttingSample cutting

The process of cutting and making sample is very The process of cutting and making sample is very expensive.expensive.

If so, why it is necessary? A computer cutting system (eg Gerber System) A computer cutting system (eg Gerber System)

which is driven by pattern design system, has the which is driven by pattern design system, has the ability to cut sample faster with greater accuracy.ability to cut sample faster with greater accuracy.

It can minimize the valuable man power time and It can minimize the valuable man power time and skill.skill.

Is it true??

Activity FiveActivity FiveProduction SpecificationProduction Specification

A computer allows a graphic image to be displayed A computer allows a graphic image to be displayed with a product description and a specification of with a product description and a specification of make-up in one facility.make-up in one facility.– E.g Cotton knit, 24 gauge, single jersey with size L and E.g Cotton knit, 24 gauge, single jersey with size L and

XL.XL. As the manufacturing facility is normally spanned As the manufacturing facility is normally spanned

across the global, product specification is needed to across the global, product specification is needed to link with others production system.link with others production system.

Activity SixActivity SixMarker MakingMarker Making

This is the greatest CAD application in garment industry.

A computer enables pattern pieces to be placed on to a fabric lay.

It is cut and optimized to reduce fabric wastages. Important issues are ease of use, cheap

maintenance, speed and connectivity

Investment in CAD (1)Investment in CAD (1)

The world of product design is often seen as being The world of product design is often seen as being artistic, emotive, unpredictable and uncontrollable.artistic, emotive, unpredictable and uncontrollable.

This view can be due to historical and traditional This view can be due to historical and traditional behaviour patterns.behaviour patterns.

The introduction of CAD technology needs to consider The introduction of CAD technology needs to consider the costs of product design while maintaining an the costs of product design while maintaining an atmosphere of creativity and innovation.atmosphere of creativity and innovation.

Key issues on CAD investment are:1) Education; 2) Key issues on CAD investment are:1) Education; 2) Cost and 3) PaybackCost and 3) Payback

Investment in CAD (2)Investment in CAD (2)Hard BenefitsHard Benefits

SpeedSpeed– Offering the customer a change in print design or pattern Offering the customer a change in print design or pattern

construction in minutes rather than daysconstruction in minutes rather than days AccuracyAccuracy ProductivityProductivity

– Provides a tool to increase productivity by 100%Provides a tool to increase productivity by 100% CommunicationCommunication

– For quick response and eliminate of repeated workFor quick response and eliminate of repeated work InformationInformation

– Thread calcualtionThread calcualtion

Investment in CAD (3)Investment in CAD (3)Soft BenefitsSoft Benefits

Quality design serviceQuality design service Informed sales serviceInformed sales service

– Keep customers (both retailer and fabric suppliers) Keep customers (both retailer and fabric suppliers) informed of any changes in design requirementinformed of any changes in design requirement

Quality product designQuality product design CAD design elements are included in production CAD design elements are included in production

process.process. Manufacturing flexibilityManufacturing flexibility

Color Management Product Description with Picture

Print design, colour separation and half tone

ExamplesExamplesQuick Response by CAD systemQuick Response by CAD system

Clothing manufactures need to respond directly to final Clothing manufactures need to respond directly to final customer and use this information to drive business.customer and use this information to drive business.

The CAD technology in the garment process can be The CAD technology in the garment process can be linked with other processes in the whole textile and linked with other processes in the whole textile and apparel supply chain.apparel supply chain.

The CAD technology can be used for design The CAD technology can be used for design (illustration), patterning (cutting and grading) and (illustration), patterning (cutting and grading) and production cost (piece rate and time rate of each production cost (piece rate and time rate of each garment) and links to fabric suppliers and retailers.garment) and links to fabric suppliers and retailers.

Any changes from the market (says colour or size Any changes from the market (says colour or size change) can be reflected back to CAD system directlychange) can be reflected back to CAD system directly

QuestionsQuestions

What are the “real world” of CAD system in garment What are the “real world” of CAD system in garment industry?industry?

What activities of CAD systems can be used in What activities of CAD systems can be used in garment business ?garment business ?

How to justify CAD investment in garment industry?How to justify CAD investment in garment industry? How can CAD system be applied to textile and apparel How can CAD system be applied to textile and apparel

supply chain to achieve the quick response target?supply chain to achieve the quick response target?