INTRODUCTION

TO
ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE

RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN
GARMENT SUPPLY CHAIN
MANAGEMENT

SUBMITTED BY-
AKANKSHA KUMARI (BFT/18/1627)
PRINCE (BFT/18/513)
SNEHA MAHTO (BFT/18/1157)
SOMYA (BFT/18/526)
 CONTENTS

S.NO. TOPICS PAGE NO.

1. Supply chain in textiles 3-6

2. Artificial intelligence to supply chain 7-8

3. Developments in garment supply chain

management

a) SUUCHI GRID 9-12

b) Wearable technology 13-15

c) Blockchain technology 16-19

d) RFID system for inventory & material flow 20-26

e) Automated guided vehicle- Weasel 27-30

f) DEMATIC- garment on hanger system 31-35

g) MUJIN- textile packing robots 36-38

h) Sewbot 39-43

4. References 44
 SUPPLY CHAIN IN TEXTILES
A supply chain is a network between a company and its suppliers to
produce and distribute a specific product to the final buyer. This network
includes different activities, people, entities, information, and resources.
The supply chain also represents the steps it takes to get the product or
service from its original state to the customer.

Companies develop supply chains so they can reduce their costs and
remain competitive in the business landscape.

Supply Chain Best Practices 

In a growing global market, it can be difficult to achieve success. An
optimised, end-to-end connected supply chain can drive the company
forwards in the competitive ecosystem. 
 Real-time supply chain planning - Real-time, connected supply
chain planning can help ensure companies not relying on historical
data when planning. If any unforeseen circumstances cause
disruptions, it can be very difficult to overcome when using historical
data. Scenarios can be dealt with much more efficiently when real-
time planning is in place.
 Identify where technology can improve processes - Highly
automated end-to-end cross-functional processes can significantly
improve efficiency and reduce costs in operations. Automation can
help many companies solve the issues that surround a lack of
visibility in their supply chains. Selecting the correct technologies
and software solutions can improve data reporting and strategic
planning.
 Maintain healthy supplier relationships - Supplier relationships are
crucial to the supply chain. These connections require constant
 maintenance and two-way communication between the buyer and
the seller. There should be a specific, optimised platform in place for
conflict resolution, should anything arise, to ensure the continued
success of customer relationships. 

Supply chain management (SCM) is the oversight of materials,

information, and finances as they move in a process from supplier to
manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer to consumer. Supply chain
management involves coordinating and integrating these flows both
within and among companies. It is said that the ultimate goal of any
effective supply chain management system is to make products
available when needed.

Supply chain management flows can be divided into three main flows:

 The product’s flow

 The information’s flow

 The finances flow

The product flow includes the movement of textiles from a supplier to a

customer, as well as any customer returns or service needs.

The information flow involves transmitting orders and updating the

status of delivery.

The financial flow consists of credit terms, payment schedules, and

consignment arrangements.

Strategy of the supply chain

With comprehending the need of the first changing business

environment in textile, apparel and in the supply of raw materials such
as polyester, cotton, etc, it requires proper business and planning
strategy without which the supply chain management will not be
successful.

The following are the strategies and planning:

 Foresight of the business, i.e., right idea, right supply at right

time.

 Proper market survey for the customers’ requirements, demand

and supply.

 Proper production planning at supply end and that of consumer

end with proper information technology.

 Product consignment to match the demand supply curve.

 Business expansion strategy.

 Marketing and distribution strategy.

 Strategic industry studies.

 Predicting industry trends.

  Market entry strategy.

 Financial planning.

 Market feasibility studies.

 Strategic Alliances.

 Mergers and acquisitions.

 Tap management recruitment/training.

The concept of supply chain management

The concept should be the following for a fruitful supply chain

management:

 Timely delivery at customer’s end.

 Proper quantity to reach at destination.

 Intact material.

 Reasonable cost.

 Customer must not suffer because of non-availabilities of raw

material.

 Even the small quantity must not matter in reaching at customer

end.

 With proper planning the raw material dispatch should be in such

a way that customer must not suffer because of any delay or
 unforeseen incidences such as road condition, traffic jam, etc.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RELATION

TO THE SUPPLY CHAIN
AI plays several important roles in optimizing the modern supply chain. AI use
cases are growing all the time and promise to deliver real value for supply
chain management (SCM).

Extract Important Data from Customers, Suppliers and Documents

Natural language processing (NLP) is a technology that parses human

language and extracts insight via AI. NLP can scan through supply chain
contracts, purchase orders, chat logs with customers or suppliers and other
documents to identify common themes or issues. This feedback can be used
to optimize SCM as part of continual improvement.
Streamline Supply, Demand and Inventory Management

Machine learning is another aspect of AI that can analyse complex data to

establish current patterns and future trends, then make decisions based on
outcomes. Machine learning helps to manage the flow of goods throughout the
supply chain, ensuring that raw materials and products are in the right place at
the right time.

Forecast Demand Before Products Are Needed

AI can source and process data from many different areas and forecast future
demand based on external factors. This feeds into supply and demand
planning and product development.

Optimize Warehouse Management and Logistics

Warehouses are busy, ever-changing environments. AI can analyse

warehouse processes and optimize the sending, receiving, storing, picking
and management of individual products. It can also analyse fleet performance
and ensure the right distribution channels to get goods to retailers and other
customers in good time.

Automate Vehicles in Distribution Centres and Other Logistics

Operations

Together with optimizing warehouse operations, AI can also power

autonomous vehicles within distribution centres. Larger facilities often use
robotic vehicles and tools to store and pick items, and they use the most
efficient routes thanks to AI. In the longer-term, trucks may even become fully
autonomous, reducing reliance on human drivers.
 SUUCHI GRID, A DIGITAL SUPPLY CHAIN
Suuchi Inc., one of the few remaining apparel manufacturers in the U.S.,
announced a first-of-its-kind digital solution to offer brands private-label,
market-ready products for wholesale purchase.

Suuchi Inc’s next-generation manufacturing solutions already reduce the

time from concept to consumer while cutting costs, labor and waste of
excess inventory.

The one-stop shop utilizes automation and a vertically integrated, end-to-

end supply chain to source, design, manufacture and ship clothing and
accessories for leading apparel fashion brands and companies in as
quickly as five days.

Now, through SuuchiX’s online B2B catalog, brands can choose from
women’s, men’s and children’s wear, shoes and accessories and home
textiles to label with their own brand and offer to customers faster than
ever, thanks to the company’s proprietary Software-as-a-Service
platform, Suuchi GRID.

More than 200 established and emerging fashion brands currently are
using Suuchi GRID to streamline supply chain workflows and production.
Suuchi GRID also will now provide minute-to-minute data to SuuchiX to
help identify and analyze trends.

The women- and minority-owned technology company recently

announced $8 million in growth equity funding from investment firm
Edison Partners and opened new offices in Carlstadt, after previously
being located in North Bergen.

The company plans to hire more than 400 as part of its recent $37.7
million Grow New Jersey state incentive grant and will be adding 130
jobs by the end of this year.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/9E99rVqd04s?feature=oembed
Digitize your supply chain

Brands of all sizes have yet to modernize their supply chain with a
technology stack that creates a seamless workflow through one
interface. As consumer demands continue to change overnight, brands
can no longer operate with profitability with a supply chain based on
spreadsheets and disconnected processes. Learn how we can digitize
the entire process for you and your team.

Collaborate with partners and suppliers

The GRID creates an end-to end view of the entire supply chain which
allows the members of your team — from product development to the
shop floor — to provide real time updates through the approve/reject
features, native chat, and comments. By breaking down the barriers
across the product lifecycle, it allows your team to accurately forecast for
upcoming launches and assign accountability to each team member.

Scale your brand

With open APIs to integrate onto any existing systems, the GRID tracks
data at each stage of development for your brand. It aggregates data
and provides analytic reporting, which includes: WIP, PSR, and time to-
make. Your business is able to leverage this data for smarter decision-
making to ensure brand growth, longevity, and profitability.
 WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY IN THE
SUPPLY CHAIN
Wearables are very self-explanatory. Wearables refers to devices that
are connected to an internet source and allow workers to perform supply
chain tasks without the need of taking up space or additional resources,
asserts Supply Chain 24/7. Essentially, wearables are the “new type of
tablet on the wrist, face, head, or other body part.”

How Do Wearables Improve the Supply Chain?

In the past, the use of wearables was impractical. Workers could not
logically carry around a tablet strapped to their chest and enter data
manually while still performing the critical processes of the supply chain.

But nowadays, modern wearables, such as the Apple watch, Samsung’s

Smart Watch, Fitbit, and Google Glasses, enable workers to perform
critical tasks, and at the same time, wearable devices along with the
Internet of Things (IoT) are continually providing data to the
organization’s ERP, and if integrated to other systems, within the cloud
through low-energy Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi, or radio frequency
identification (RFID).

The sole purposes of wearables are data capture and accuracy, but
wearables actually give rise to several significant benefits for the supply
chain.

Speed and Accuracy

The key benefit of wearable technology in the supply chain revolves
around speed and accuracy. If the wearable technology automatically
provides the worker with information, the worker is no longer required to
review paperwork and figure out his or her tasks. For example,
wearables may be used to tell a worker exactly where a product is
located in a warehouse, according to Supply Management magazine.
Since that piece of technology is connected to the Internet, which is
currently tracking the inventory levels of the given supply chain entity,
workers can automatically know if a product is in its proper location and
ready for picking.

Once the product has been picked, the information can then be
transmitted back to the ERP through automatic data capture of the
wearable piece of technology, eliminating the need for the worker to
manually input what products were picked and improving accuracy.
 https://www.youtube.com/embed/p__owIjJkd4?feature=oembed

Identification of Inefficiencies
The best predictive analytics systems in the world are only as good as
the data the process. Unfortunately, most predictive analytics systems
rely on manual and automated data capture. As explained by Nye
Longman of Supply Chain Digital, the lowering cost of wearable
technologies will help the supply chain become better able to capture
more information, which can then be used by the company’s ERP to
identify inefficiencies. This could be as simple as rerouting workers when
a product bin runs empty or “telling” workers that walking from Point A to
Point B by Path C will save 45 minutes due to freight loading issues on
Path B.

Improved Safety and Quality

As a supply chain entity or warehouse manager could automatically
recognize when an employee’s heart rate reaches a dangerous
threshold and recommend that worker take a break. Although this seems
counterproductive, it could actually save the supply chain money by
reducing the chance of having a work-related injury or event take place.
Furthermore, workers who are in a pleasant environment are more
satisfied with their jobs, and these workers will be more likely to pay
attention to what they are doing. In other words, products will be placed
in a bin appropriately and not tossed aside like yesterday’s garbage. This
directly leads to better quality control of the products and environment
and reduced down time from unnecessary health events.

BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
Blockchain is a modern mix of existing technologies used to record
transactional information, originally created for cryptocurrency transactions.

Traditionally, a record of all transactions is kept in a central location such as

a bank for financial transactions. Blockchain, however, records them in a
distributed ledger. It links transactions or blocks in an encrypted ledger or
chain, stored on many computers in a peer-to-peer network. The larger the
network, the more difficult to corrupt.
Blockchain technology has the unique ability of creating a physical-digital
link between goods and their digital identities on a blockchain. This kind of
link opens opportunities for a more transparent supply chain. With
blockchain, you can create a digital history of information or an audit chain
of the total value chain, with timestamps, for each product. Since this data
is immutable, meaning it cannot be modified unilaterally, blockchain places
an extra layer of security to validate the information companies provide
about their products and processes.

How can blockchain benefit the apparel industry?

The use of blockchain technology is already changing the apparel industry,
offering new ways of implementing transparency in a supply chain. Using
blockchain, a chip or a tag added to a product can be used to store all the
relevant data about that product, including:

 which farm supplied the cotton;

 who made the yarn;
 what was used to dye it;
 who manufactured the product;
 how it was shipped;
 what costs were involved in each step.

All of these ‘blocks’ of data can be stored on that product’s tag, which can
then be accessed and verified by any number of computer users
participating in the chain.

The data can then be stored and read with the use of chips, tags and
scanning, using for example quick response (QR) codes. Later in the life of
the product, during production, distribution, sale and even disposal, nobody
can change the information without making it visible that it was tampered.
Future applications of block chain technology in the
apparel industry include:

 preventing the sale of counterfeit goods;

 preventing ‘double spending’ of certifications, for example, of
organic cotton;
 replacing letters of credit;
 use of cryptocurrencies, which can offer alternative forms of
funding and payments for small businesses;
 Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on garments and
inventory for instant traceability, improved inventory management
and automated recycling.

Here are some of the benefits that can be offered by

Blockchain Apparel Supply Chain Platform
Cost Reduction

Product’s real-time tracking with the Blockchain apparel supply chain

solution can help to reduce the overall cost. Smart Contracts built in the
blockchain can automatically speed up the administrative process,
deduct the extra cost and offer the security of transactions. The
eradication of intermediaries in the supply chain can reduce the frauds
and product duplicity.

Payments can be processed between stakeholders automatically

through smart contracts using cryptocurrencies. Also, with accurate
record keeping, the efficiency can be enhanced while reducing the risk of
lost products.
Provenance Tracking

In the blockchain based system, provenance tracking and records

keeping are easy as the information of the product can be retrieved
through the QR code. The product’s entire history from its origin to its
current destination can be traced back using the blockchain enabled
supply management platform.

Data interoperable

The blockchain allows the data to be more interoperable. Because, it

becomes easier for organizations to exchange details and information
with various manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors worldwide.
Identify issues faster

The appealing feature of the blockchain, transparency can help to

reduce delays, disputes and prevent orders from getting stuck in the
supply chain. The chances of lost or misplacements of the products are
rare as they can be tracked in the real-time.

The apparel and the blockchain technology build a smart environment

with transparency and trust for all stakeholders in the supply chain.
 RFID SYSTEMS FOR INVENTORY &
MATERIAL FLOW
Technology of RFID System
Radio frequency identification is an automatic identification method
consisting of several components such as tags, tag readers, edge
servers, middleware, and application software. Among these the three
important components are RFID tag (also known as transponder), RFID
reader (also known as transceiver or interrogator) and software for data
processing.

An RFID tag is a small object that can be attached to or embedded into a

product, animal, or person. It consists of a tiny chip where the data is
stored and an antenna to enable it to receive and respond to radio-
frequency queries from an RFID transceiver.

The tags contain electronic product code (EPC) and the information
related to the product like the name of the company, batch and year of
manufacturing, price etc.
Working of an RFID systems
A collection of wired and wireless network constitutes the communication
infrastructure that carries out a series of information transfer actions to
deliver the data stored in a tag to the reader. Readers are just like the
barcode sensors, which broadcast a radio signal through the antenna to
the tag. The tag then responds to the radio wave, and the data can be
read from the chip of the tag. The tags can consist of read only memory
(ROM), volatile read/write random access memory (RAM) or write
once/read many memory (WORM) for data storage. ROM is used to
store security data, whereas RAM is used for storing the data during
transponder interrogation and response. The data consists of: (a) a
unique identifier, (b) an operating system, (c) data storage (volatile/non-
volatile), and (d) an EPC.

Simultaneously data from multiple tags can be studied. Readers also

decode the signal provided by the tags and transmit to the CPU. Suitable
Software receives and interprets the information collected form the tags
and stores it. Simultaneously multiple data can be collected and stored
with much accuracy as compared to the existing barcode systems.
Applications of RFID in fashion industry
In the field of Textile and Apparel the RFID is used in manufacturing,
inventory control, warehousing, distribution, logistics, automatic object
tracking and supply chain management.

For example, the finished garments, different pattern pieces and

accessories can be traced and the progress of the production process
can be monitored. In processing and weaving, the fabric lots can be
traced easily. In spinning mills, the bales of cotton and the yarns can be
traced easily. The mixing of different yarn lots which is a major problem
in spinning mills can be avoided.

Fashion industry can be divided into four sectors such as manufacturing,

overseas transportation, distribution and retailing:

 In manufacturing RFID can be used to avoid product and

component mixing, and mixing of different accessories.
 In overseas transportation RFID can be used to track and trace the
consignment before and after Free on Board, if product is
outsourced. RFID primarily can solve the issue of sorting and
tracking the product very quickly, thus reducing the lead time
during distribution.
 In majority of the retail shops, the space is a constraint, which
needs to be used efficiently. RFID is used to manage the stock to
identify the item quickly and correctly so as to avoid “search
regret”.
Major departments required of RFID tags:

 Inventory management
 Production control
 Retail management
 Missing Items/Theft
 Fitting room

Inventory management
The use of RFID system assists in better inventory management and enhances
customer shopping experience. The RFID system can indicate the type of
clothing selling faster or slower, which provide customized advertisement on
picked clothes according to the RFID tags.

The RFID use also helps in reducing labour. For example, American Apparel
applied RFID system in eight of their stores, which saved about 60–80 h per week
in labor and reduced out-of-stock products owing to unawareness. Similarly, the
Japanese apparel manufacturer ‘Sankei’ is using a RFID system in manufacturing
to track clothes during the manufacturing process in addition to the online sales.

RFID can also be used in warehousing to track the goods and assist in cross
docking operation as the goods received are not segregated in the warehouse but
stored as they are received from the manufacturer.

In the distribution center’s receivable area RFID readers can be implemented to

track the goods as they come in. The received goods are registered and the data
stored on RFID transponders can be read for each good though received in
pallets or individual fashion item on hanger. In this the task of counting hangers,
items and pallets can be eliminated and quantity can be controlled up to 100%
satisfaction level.
Production control
Inside the stores of the production department the stock level can be quickly
monitored which helps in a real-time and efficient inventory management. The
location and movement of the components, semi-finished and the finished
products can be detected by the RFID system, which helps in production
monitoring and control. The performance of departments and the individuals can
be evaluated by the rate of movement of the garment components from the
departments or individuals. This helps in improving the productivity and the
quality.

In the packing floor the mixing of different styles and sizes can be avoided by
RFID tags. Also, the number of pieces in packed cartons can be counted without
opening, which saves the time and labour.

Retail management
It can be used in retail to monitor and control the floor level out-of-stocks
(OOS). It is mostly required where there is high product display density,
low staffing level and chances of mishandling is very high. The stock
level of the items is properly maintained and the items can be grouped
according to their demand.

Similarly, while receiving the goods at the store the accuracy of the
deliveries can be ensured quickly with less labour. This can improve the
inventory accuracy and automatic replenishment of stock. Mostly the
retailers verify the accuracy and integrity of the shipment by open-box
audit prior to stocking or storing of goods. But now it is possible to read
all the items packed inside the carton without opening, which saves time
and labour cost.

After successfully implementation and use of RFID by Walmart, other big

retailers like Marks and Spencer and Tesco in UK are adopting it, Coles
group in Australia have given a thought of embracing this technology.
Fashion industry is always regarded as the late adopter of new
technology than others, but in adopting RFID it is not lagging behind.

Missing Items/Theft
The theft of garments from the fitting room can be prevented by
mounting a small reader at the entry point of the room. The tag
information of the garment is captured when the customer takes the
garment to the fitting room. The items that are taken to the fitting room
but not come out are reported as potential loss items. So, the RFID can
be used to identify the missing merchandise and prosecution of the
shoplifters.

RFID used in fitting room

Automatic suggestions are provided to people buying clothes in the store
when they go to a dressing room to try a suit. A ‘smart mirror’ informs
them what kind of suit or accessories will be appropriate. An RFID
reader on the smart mirror in the fitting room determines which clothing
has been brought into the room from the RFID tag attached to the
apparel. The appropriate accessories are then displayed on a suitable
interface. This system is used in combination with ‘smart shelves’, which
can read what merchandise is currently in stock, so that customers can
be shown various styles and sizes that are available.
 AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE – WEASEL
(Weasel® - Innovative, Creative, Connective)

The Weasel from SSI Schäfer was designed as an automated guided

vehicle (AGV) for internal goods transport. Its high flexibility, scalability
and accessibility allow for easy integration into in-house transport
processes. From cartons and hanging goods to miscellaneous products
in a wide range of sizes, Weasel handles practically any transport
requirement.
Technical Specifications
 The System Weasel is an automated conveyor vehicle for almost all
transport requirements up to 35 kg.
 Despite its small dimensions, Weasel transports goods and loading aids of
varying sizes in all temperature ranges between 5°C and 50°C. Weasel can
be loaded and unloaded both manually and automatically.
 It is available with standardized structures, optimized for different
applications (e.g. cartons, bins or hanging garments).
 The structures are variable in height ensuring an ergonomic handling.
 Maintenance-free battery packs supply the power for the Weasels to run for
up to 18 hours. These can be replaced manually or loaded fully
automatically.

The Principle Weasel gets straight to the work stations via an optical guiding
line. Speeds of up to 1 m/s on routes with an incline of up to 20 percent can be
achieved. The Weasel is requested or sent to its destination manually by
operating buttons or fully automated. The determined route controls the
Weasel via predetermined waypoints. The goods are transported safely and
securely.

The easy integration into existing processes and systems is another

advantage. Be it a fixed or needs based integration for handling peaks in
output, the Weasel is flexible in terms of system customizations and
extensions. Both manual and automated connections can be quickly
established to the internal goods flows.

The Control Software

The standardized control software enables fast integration of entire Weasel
fleets without time-consuming IT installations and adaptations. It also can
easily be integrated into existing in-house material flows. A fleet controller
administers the jobs automatically through ERP system or manually and
allocates these to the respective vehicles once they have been approved.

Due to its high flexibility, its scalability and its accessibility Weasel can
be integrated easily into existing transport operations. As mentioned, the
AGV gets straight to the work stations via an optical guiding line. This
can be installed in a rapid and flexible manner and may be adapted.
Changing customer requirements and fluctuations in demand can be
managed at any time, both cost-effectively and at short notice. In these
times of Industry 4.0 a major advantage as the Weasels connect any
operation areas and support all processes in the entire logistics
environment.
 DEMATIC - GARMENT ON HANGER
SYSTEM
SORT, TRANSPORT, ACCUMULATE, AND SHIP GARMENTS ON
HANGERS FAST

Every manufactures/retailer want to satisfy their e-Commerce customers

with fast delivery and their stores with aisle ready shipments; their
business is growing but they have no room to expand; they cannot find
good labor.

The Dematic Garment on Hanger (GOH) overhead system can help.

With the GOH system they can

 Get orders out the door fast

 Grow in your existing space
 Reduce labor costs
GET ORDERS OUT THE DOOR FAST
Get items into DC inventory and available for sale faster by using the
GOH to transfer items from supplier racks to DC racks.

Keep garments in pristine condition while they are in the warehouse with
Dematic pressure-free buffering.

Dynamically and quickly store, sort, and sequence orders on hangers

rather than relying on a sortation system requiring dedicated, static
diverts for each ship-to location.

Extend your order cut-off time and still ship on time for delivery to
hundreds of ship-to locations.
GROW IN YOUR EXISTING SPACE
Expand up, not out. The GOH is an overhead system that requires
minimal floor space, which means minimal footprint.

Use the empty space below your ceiling for the GOH and reserve your
floor space for activities more valuable than storage.

Combine storage, transport, and sortation into one system — reducing

system size while optimizing processes with Dematic special picking and
sorting algorithms.
REDUCE LABOR COSTS
Eliminate the manual process of unfolding items and putting them on
hangers at the store.

Reduce touches and labor by combining storage, transport, sorting, and

sequencing in one application.

Restock retail locations faster with GOH sequencing. Orders can be

delivered to store locations sequenced by delivery route, department,
size, style, and other criteria, making replenishment easier and faster.

SOLUTION DESCRIPTION
The GOH system is an overhead storage, transport, and sortation
system for fast and easy storage, retrieval, sortation, and consolidation
of customer orders.

Dematic has a complete product range for all GOH transportation and
sortation requirements — for example, pin conveyor, clip conveyor,
unisort, and manual slick rail.

The modular design of these systems easily enables different

functionalities, such as transportation, accumulation, decline/incline, and
sortation.

STORAGE
Induct easily and quickly with either manual or automatic induction.

Reduce induction time by integrating with an automatic trolley-stripper.

Maintain a wide range of items in high-density, easy access storage.

TRANSPORT
Transport, divert, and merge product effortlessly from various areas of
the warehouse.

Route items easily and quickly through even the most complex
warehouse layouts.

SORTATION
Dynamically sort and sequence items to meet the changing demands of
your customers.
Replace sorters requiring dedicated ship-to diverts with a flexible system
that adjusts easily to change.

Sort and sequence items with a wide range of advanced algorithms

designed to optimize efficiency.

MUJIN – TEXTILE PACKING ROBOTS

Fashion brand Uniqlo has come closer to full automation in its factories
with the introduction of robots that can pick up t-shirts.

Fast Retailing, the owner of the massive Uniqlo brand, is kitting out its
warehouses with the textile-packing machines, developed with Japanese
start-up Mujin.
While the industrial power and rigid frames of many logistics robots are
suited to heavy loads, textiles are lighter and require a slightly softer touch
to prevent damage.

But footage shows the Intelligent Piece Packing Robot's curved arm using
suction to cling to plastic-packaged t-shirts and place them neatly in boxes
to be shipped to customers.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/h1_aZhmL5vw?feature=oembed

By October 2018, the company reported it had replaced 90 per cent of its
Uniqlo staff with robots at its flagship Tokyo warehouse last year.
 The arms use suction to pick up plastic packaging and place the clothing within into a
shipping box

The technology can also pick up shipping forms, demonstrating its versatility with a range of
more delicate materials 

It's now able to go the extra mile with the Intelligent Piece Picking Robot,
which detects items with 3D vision and places items neatly in shipping
boxes without damage.

Mujin machines can see and move without having to be repeatedly

programmed and can prevents mis-shipping by automatic inspection
using 3D cameras to scan and log the contents of each package.

The machine can also pick up paper fulfillment forms and place them in
each package, and for multiple items within a single box, can precisely
aligned item into its own space separated by gaps.
 The robot uses one arm to pick up an item from a box and place it on a platform for the other
arm, which carefully places it into the cardboard package to be shipped to the customer

Uniqlo reportedly produces 1.3 billion clothing products a year and sells
in 3,500 stores in 26 different countries.

But apparel picking automation is difficult because of the nature and

variety of items, and worksites are plagued by difficulties in recruiting
people to work in tough logistics environments.

Companies such as Fast Retailing are aiming to offload all manual

operations to robots and automate them with software systems to
increase manufacturing productivity.
 SEWBOT - REVOLUTIONIZING THE
CLOTHING MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

We all know that the low retail price of clothing is a result of low-cost
manufacturing methods. While previously this meant using offshore
labour markets for production, now companies can turn use robots to
produce consumer goods at a low cost.

The automated sewing machine from SoftWear Automation known as

LOWRY. This fully automated Sewbot is part of the company’s initiative
to automate the textile industry in the same way that other industries
have used robotics for manufacturing.

The longstanding problem with automating sewing is the nature of the

fabric itself. It’s flexible, it stretches, it warps, and it folds. These material
problems are unique to working with textiles and have not been a barrier
in automating industries that work with metal or plastic.
This automated sewing research process began at Georgia Tech’s
Advanced Technology Development Center more than a decade ago.
But the technology really started to take shape after a collaboration with
the Walmart Foundation and a 2012 research grant for $1.25 million
from DARPA, the Defence Department’s tech innovation department.

https://youtu.be/npfUUoZcMVw

How Automated Sewbots Work

This company uses a highly calibrated machine vision to watch and

analyse fabric. It detects distortions and robotically adjusts the fabric.
Working across a 70-foot long t-shirt production line, the robot performs
each task, including cutting, sewing a seam, adding a sleeve, and quality
inspection. Each step of the way, the computer vision guides the fabric.
To track each individual thread within the fabric the company developed
a specialized camera capable of capturing more than 1,000 frames per
second, and a set of image-processing algorithms to detect, on each
frame, where the threads are.
Using this high caliber machine vision and real-time analysis, the
robotics then continually manipulate and adjust the fabric to be properly
arranged. The Pick & Place machine mimics how a seamstress
would move and handle fabric.

The fabric is moved using two methods. The first is a four-axis robotic
arm that can lift and place the fabric using a vacuum gripper. The second
is a 360-degree conveyor system which is a table of embedded spherical
rollers. With each roller, or Budger Ball, moving independently at high
speeds, the rollers can relocate the fabric or smooth the fabric as
needed.
Yet the sewing itself is also done a little differently. The direct sewing
process means that rather than the fabric moving through a stationary
sewing machine, the Sewbots move the needle rather than the fabric.

https://youtu.be/BA96-WX-oXc

Production Gains from Manufacturing with Robotics

The automated sewing robots reduce the need for sewing laborers. In
the case of Tianyuan Garments Company, who produces clothing for
Adidas and Armani, three to five people will work each of the 21 robotic
production lines. This a labour decrease of 50-70% compared to the 10
workers on a conventional line.

In addition to lowering costs, the robots will also increase production. A

human sewing line produces 669 t-shirts in eight hours, compared to the
robots at 1,142 t-shirts. That’s a 71% increase in production, resulting
in a total output of 1.2 million t-shirts per year.

Using robotics makes the cost of producing a t-shirt in the U.S.

comparable to one that is produced overseas. For example, in
Bangladesh the labor cost to produce a denim shirt is about $0.22. If
made by U.S. workers, that labor cost jumps to $7.47, but with a robotic
production line, it’s just $0.33 per t-shirt.

The Automated Sewing Line

https://youtu.be/xbkOTg0lqhY

Impact of Sewing Robots on the Textile Manufacturing Industry

Between 2000 and 2010, the U.S. lost 5.6 million manufacturing jobs.
However, only 13% of those job losses were a result of moving facilities
offshore. Instead, 85% of the job losses were due to the “productivity
growth” of robotics and machinery. It’s predicted that by 2025, the
global average of manufacturing tasks being done by robots will
grow from 10% to 25% across all industries.
However, globally, this type of technology would have a major impact on
the Asian manufacturing industry that employs low wage workers.
Estimates by the International Labour Organization report that robots will
replace 64% of textile, clothing, and footwear workers in Indonesia, 86%
in Vietnam, and 88% in Cambodia.

The Future of Robotic Textile Manufacturing

As we enter this 4th industrial revolution of automation through robotics,

it’s expected that “artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and
cognitive computing will directly impact approximately 47% of U.S. jobs.”
In another approach to increase supply chain efficiency, last year
Amazon won a patent for an on-demand apparel manufacturing system
that would stitch your clothing after the order was placed.
 REFERENCES
https://makersrow.com/suuchi-inc

https://www.capterra.com/p/197977/Suuchi-GRID/

https://www.roi-nj.com/2019/06/26/industry/suuchi-unveils-digital-
solution-for-branded-fashion-home-products/

https://cerasis.com/wearable-technology-in-the-supply-
chain/#:~:text=Wearables%20refers%20to%20devices%20that,%2C
%20or%20other%20body%20part.%E2%80%9D

https://www.supplychain247.com/article/wearable_technology_in_the_w
arehouse

https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/apparel/how-apply-new-
technologies-apparel

https://www.leewayhertz.com/blockchain-apparel-supply-chain-platform/

https://hackernoon.com/how-is-blockchain-disrupting-the-supply-chain-
industry-f3a1c599daef

https://www.schaefershelving.com/t-
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https://ifoy.org/bewerbungen/2013/490/Application_SSI_Weasel_en.pdf

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7824495/Uniqlo-
warehouse-robots-pick-pack-t-shirts-just-humans.html