Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing

Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing have revolutionized the knitting industry. The 1970s saw the introduction of CAD/CAM systems. Designers used the CAD system to create product designs and these were transferred to CAM machines to manufacture the final product. CAD/CAM technology replaced the mechanical patterning and shaping devices on machines with electronic controls. Though manually operated flat and V-bed knitting machines are still used, computerized technology is also preferred. Initially, this system was expensive and only the major companies could afford it. However, in the 1980s and 1990s CAD/CAM fell in price and even the small and medium sized companies invested in this new technology.

Side by side with the CAD/CAM knitting technology, the process of whole garment knitting was introduced. Cutting fabric into shapes and then stitching the pieces together to create garments has been in practice since the 18th century. In the 1970s companies researched more efficient technologies which could produce a complete garment in one process without the need for sewing. Without the loss of fabric associated with cut and sew techniques, garments could be knitted quickly.

Unit 8

Smart clothing

Not only the clothes of tomorrow will fit better, they may be able to change colour at the press of button, monitor your health or even talk to your washing-machine. This is the era of smart clothing, which imaginative applications for conductive fabrics include:

· a shirt that will tell the washing machine how long it should be soaked after it has altered the wearer that it is dirty;

· sleepwear for babies that will sound an alarm if breathing stops;

· jackets for children that will track their movements via a global positioning satellite;

· the infinite dress that changes colour and can be adapted to suit any occasion. Wear it on the beach in the morning and change its colour for shopping trip in the afternoon;

· smart military shelters which will be able to detect and repel chemical attacks or change colour according to the surroundings.

Unit 9

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