CAD/CAM and the textile industry
CAD/CAM is taking the textile industry by storm. The benefits of CAD/CAM
applications are being recognized by the industry, and are gradually gaining
acceptance. This article seeks to study in detail the revolution of CAD/CAM in
the textile industry, briefly tracing its evolution and then dwelling briefly
on current applications and future possibilities. |
|
| |
|
What is CAD/CAM?
The term CAD is an abbreviation for 'Computer-aided design', while CAM stands
for 'Computer-aided manufacturing'. In simple words, the use of computers for
designing purposes is referred to as CAD, while CAM refers to usage of
computers for the purpose of manufacturing products. |
|
| |
CAD/CAM is currently in
use in several industries such as architecture, electronics, mechanical and
production engineering and textiles. There are several kinds of CAD packages
available in the market today, with different kinds of features. Most of the
packages are ready-to-use with a number of graphics, which the user can select
according to his or her requirements. User friendly and requirement-compatible
environments being embedded is a clear merit, enabling easy usage.
With the advent of large-scale computer usage, there increased the demand for
design packages such as CAD for the twin purpose of beating the monotony of
paper-based engineering design and to speed up design and production
timeframes. With miniaturization of computers and electronics and powerful
memory features, CAD/CAM has now attained great heights, as far as industrial
application goes.
|
| |
|
|
|
Application in Fashion
At various stages of fashion design, CAD has come to play a pivotal role.
Starting from the initial design and prototyping stages, where the firm narrows
in to a retailable and feasible design, the array of choices displayed visually
facilitate the job significantly. Proceeding to the manufacturing stage, mass
production that has always posed a challenge to industries has been simplified
to a considerable extent by the automation provided by CAM. Perfect fabrication
to measurements is a natural outcome. Even retailing via advertising to
prospective clients has become a lot easier. Viewing 3-D images is always a
handy tool for customers and manufacturers. Most packages are ready-to-use, and
no special technical training is essential. This enables people on the shop
floor to adapt to automated packages such as these.
|
|
| |
Application in Textile Manufacturing
The textile industry has seen a marked change owing to the mechanization and
computerization of various stages. The handloom sector has been mechanized by
CAD/CAM software that enables less monotony and more productivity. The
powerloom and design sector too has benefited to a great extent. Colour
combinations on fabrics and choice-of-material considerations, coupled with
R&D innovations, leading to novel designs, have been wonderful outcomes.
From knitwear to usual shawl and mat fabrications, software has influenced all
areas of textile design. |
| |
Application in Knitwear
Knitwear is an essentially unexplored area as far as CAD/CAM application goes.
A greater level of sophistication is needed, owing to complex design
parameters, unlike in areas such as architecture, where design would use only
simple geometric shapes. In knitwear design, the complexity of patchwork
manipulation and visualization would involve a greater level of computing
capability. However, this only goes to highlight the prominence that CAD/CAM
could occupy in the days to come. Considerable research on the academic and
industrial fronts is in progress. |
| |
Future Trends
Like all manufacturing and design areas, the textile industry too has profited
a great deal from CAD/CAM. Better efficiency in colour selections and, more
importantly, memory storage for future use are great benefits. It is quite
beyond any doubt that in times to come, several other path-breaking
modifications like better target matching and reduced timeframes would be
achieved by computerized packages.
Technology has only grown over the ages and has sucked in diverse fields into
its fold. Textiles and fashion are no exceptions, and there are lots of
promises still in store.
|
|
|
|
|
|
