As high sentiments for both domestic and export markets marked the prelude to the Garment Technology Expo – 2015, the fair saw visitation from a wide spectrum of the industry ranging in scale, geographical location and product categories. The exhibitors complemented the industry’s requirement with an equally diverse display of options for technology. New launches, upgrades, bestsellers… the fair featured it all. StitchWorld brings to you a hawk-eye review of the same.
Thread Productivity Improvement
Productivity improvement was, is and will continue to be a key parameter for continuous machine improvement. Be it in the form of an effective utilization of time of an operator in case of a cyclic operation, or removing non-value adding operation steps, every manufacturer is committed to give better value for the money invested in buying the machine.
Agent (North India): Magnum Resources
Brother launches new range of sewing machines for eliminating manual thread trimming
Imbibing this concept, the Japanese sewing technology frontrunner Brother unveiled S-7300A, a single needle direct-drive lockstitch machine with electronic feeding system, thread trimmer and a color LCD touch panel, on the first day of the fair. The next generation lockstitch machine minimizes the remaining short thread length to just 3 mm, possible because of a 2-way trimming mechanism as opposed to an industry average of 7 mm. “Owing to such short remaining thread lengths, this machine presents an opportunity to dispense thread trimming operators on the finishing floor and saves Rs. 125,000 (US $ 2,008) for every 100 sewing machines annually,” points out Randeep Sahani, General Manager India, Brother. The machine will also resolve issues like bird’s nest and clogging at thick edges, he concludes.
Agent: Magnum Resources
Melco launches its EMT 16 embroidery system
Keeping pace with latest trends in the industry, Melco’s EMT 16 is a flexible single head machine with applications as diverse as hats, leather, jackets, polos, gloves, sheer fabrics and denims. Designed specifically for handling small quantity orders with precise and sharp images, the machine has a high-performance trimmer and hook designed to boost production by 20% over Melco AMAYA XTS. The single head 16-needle embroidery machine comes with Melco’s patented Acti-Feed™ software where in the event a thread break does occur, the machine can be programmed to switch to a backup needle of the same colour and continue to sew. Its simplified user interface means that new operators can be trained in less than 30 minutes. Guaranteeing 50% reduction in production time, the company claims that the ROI can be achieved in as little as 11 months, based on an average of 5 embroidered garments per day or about 45 minutes of machine runtime per day. The machine comes with an embroidery design software with four variants.
Agent: Turel
Naomoto presents finishing machine that works in tandem to boost productivity
Naomoto, a Japanese manufacturer displayed its multi-jeans finishing solution NMF-230FY-T that continued to carry the message of productivity improvement. The finisher uses a carousel system innovated by Naomoto which ensures higher productivity with additional new size control functions. It makes use of comfortable and clean working conditions by hot air recycling. Capable of finishing an average of 1,800 to 2,400 pieces every 10 hours, the machine features two finishing heads that can be operated in tandem by one operator to minimize idle time.
Richpeace highlights multi-head automatic template sewing machine
China-based Richpeace Computer & Machinery Co. Ltd., showcased its multi-head automatic template sewing machine. The machine comes with a maximum sewing speed of 2500 RPM (single head) and 2000 RPM (multi-head), and requires only one operator to run 2-6 head template sewer.
Thread Innovation
Stitchless fabric joining continued to be the honey pot with companies increasingly joining the bandwagon to offer their products and solutions. China-based VIM Machinery showcased its seam sealing solutions for the first time. On the other hand, established players like PFAFF and H&H have taken the game to the next level by incorporating innovations in their machines based on product’s requirements. The next area of innovation went uncontested with Nixtex’s C-Tex – a fabric inspection tool. Meanwhile, Groz-Beckert marked its presence with the amusing central theme of SEWING5.
Agent: Rajasthan International
Groz-Beckert champions another 5S concept
With SEWING5, Groz-Beckert unveiled its comprehensive service to support the sewing industry with an intention of helping the manufacturers not only in achieving outstanding product quality but also in making more elaborate designs, all the while maintaining sustainability, productivity and efficiency. The ‘five S’ of SEWING5 stand for Supply, Solutions, Service, Superiority and Sustainability. The Groz-Beckert packaging label bears a data matrix code that serves to verify its original product status. The code can be scanned via the ‘myGrozBeckert’ application, available for Android and iOS, and can be downloaded for free on Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Agent: Turel
PFAFF optimistic about its bonding and welding machines in 2015
The German pioneer PFAFF has constantly developed solutions to meet the demands of the global sewn product industry. Present at the booth of its agent Turel, PFAFF Industrial showcased its range of ultrasonic welding, hot wedge welding and hot air welding machines. Axel Zangerle, Managing Director, DAP Sewing Technology Singapore, is optimistic about the sales of PFAFF’s welding and bonding machines this year in the Indian market alongside countries like Australia and Japan. Responding to the increasing number of product categories going stitchless, the company has devised a wide range of customized seam sealing machines. The customization usually entails modifications to the welds, wedges, hot air blowers, wheels, etc. to accommodate the vagaries of the patterns and fabrics of products from lingerie to rainwear.
Agent: Magnum Resources
H&H exhibits AI 001D sewing machine
AI 001D, a hot air sealing machine, displayed by H&H at GTE 2015, is packed with utility for waterproof jackets and bonded garments for both woven and knits. Incorporating features like compatibility with stretch fabric and narrow tape, the machine not only guarantees 30% faster throughput time but 5% tape saving as well. The hardware and software upgradeable machine can also perform 3-layer sealing. H&H, a Hong Kong based 18-year-old company manufactures this variable top and bottom feed machine, where feeding is controlled by PLC control panel. Other features include 3D electronic nozzle positioning system, differential speed top/bottom roller, variable speed seam sealing and an ergonomic design.
Agent: IIGM
Nixtex presents C-Tex Colour solution for fabric inspection and relaxing machines
Any garment manufacturer can vouch that fabric is what makes or breaks one’s profitability. Hence traditional fabric inspection methods are being replaced by advanced technologies. Showcased at the fair, C-Tex Colour solution comes from the UK-based company Nixtex, and can be retrofitted to existing C-Tex fabric inspection and relaxing machines, and other makes and models of inspection and re-rolling equipment. The roll batcher offers a step change in materials inspection via an affordable continuous monitoring system and aims to eliminate colour mismatching in garments by monitoring colour deviation of entire rolls. All the data is stored within the C-Tex software for easy segregation of batch rolls according to colour variation for production planning. The colour variation is illustrated in terms of Δe and the related data can also be exported. The solution facilitates an objective assessment of fabric providers.
Thread Value Addition
India’s strength of diverse value addition technique force continues to inspire the embroidery machinery manufacturers to develop features to deskill the hand operation. Every embroidery machine can now use a battery of accessories (sequin, bead, cord, chenille, laser, etc.) to embroider a look which was unheard of a few years ago.
Agent: Peayush Machineries
Dayu pioneers double pantograph mechanism for faster style changeovers
Dealing in computerized embroidery machines from its Chinese principal Zoje Dayu, Peayush Machineries claims to have acquired the lion’s share of nearly 99% in the Indian embroidery machine market. Known for offering solutions that stand for ‘value for money’, Prateek, MD, Peayush Machineries asserts that the ROI of Dayu embroidery machines is 10 months. Exhibited at the booth was DY-Chenille/chainstitch embroidery series. Packed with new embroidery stitches with enhanced stereoscopic vision and design qualities, the machine has a maximum speed of 650 RPM. With 42-type stepping motors controlling D, H shaft and trimming, needle-table distance has 1 to 10 different levels to get different embroidery effects with different fabrics and embroidery yarns. Accommodating the rising importance of attachments, the machine is compatible with attachments for beading, flat, sequins, easy cording and chain sequins, etc. The company also claims to have pioneered the double pantograph system for its embroidery machines. The double pantograph enables manufacturers to make many designs on multi-head Dayu machines which were previously possible on Schiffli machines only. The advancement enables embroiderers to now make their processes more reasonable in price and allows for ample flexibility in terms of design changeover. Consequently, these machines can be used for small production runs as well; without compromising on optimization of costs.
Agent: IIGM
Wilcom’s latest and faster E3 suite simulates embroidery to 3D
Wilcom’s recently launched Embroidery Studio upgrade – E3 suite is available in three packages. Embroidery Studio E3 Advanced Digitising with 40 new features compared to the 2006 version is suitable for people who want to legalize their versions of Wilcom embroidery software, a higher version is the Embroidery Studio E3 Textile Embroidery Design software that offers seamless integration with the latest version of Corel Draw and a top-end version of E3 with a feature called virtual digitizing, which enables 3D simulation of the embroidery designed. One of the major improvements that have been incorporated in the new E3 suite is the overall speed of operations and processing, along with a host of new tools for the ease of use and greater flexibility to the designer. Some of the most appreciated features are the knife tools for separating a design into different parts and components, calligraphy tool for making alphabetical logos in English, Russian and Japanese and the ability to define user-specific shortcuts for various operations.
Shanlong Technology offering cost-competitive embroidery software solutions
Exploring the territory of embroidery controllers, engraving and design software Shenzen, a China-based Shanlong Technology debuted at the technology milieu this year. The company claims to provide professional designers with fast and flexible creation of embroidery designs, which can satisfy their requirements of high productivity and efficiency. The company offering solutions at 1/20th of the cost of market leaders claims to be at par with the leading non-Chinese embroidery software in the market.
Shanlong claims that owing to features where a graphic can be directly interpreted as an embroidery pattern by the software, the learning curve of the software is short.
Thread The Compliance Influence
Factors like ergonomics and technical compliance are playing a major role in shaping up the garment industry. Be it compliance at shopfloor, to free products from oil stains or ergonomic considerations like noise-free environment, products have been launched to bring both economic and social sustainability into its upgrading technology.
Agent: IIGM
Juki develops a complete range of sewing machines to arrest oil leakages
Japanese pioneer Juki recently launched its DDL-900A sewing machines series with Dry Oil Pan system to arrest any oil leakage and keep the machine clean at all times. The needle bar is lubricated with a smaller quantity of oil as compared to the conventional models. In addition, oil splashes are shielded with the newly developed frame oil recovery mechanism and automatic oil circulation mechanism, due to which, the machine does not require any cleaning, and its life is increased as the oil remains clean. The sewing machine with integrated direct-drive motor, control box, control panel and under-bed trimmer not only eliminates oil stains on sewing products, but also reduces machine downtime. Its compact energy-saving direct-drive motor saves power consumption by 25%, while a new retry control helps increase the penetrating power of the needle by approximately 10%.
Agent: ALT & IIGM
Hashima showcases its popular range of metal detection equipments
Hashima, the Japanese pioneer in developing metal detection and fusing technology, presented its popular range of metal detection equipments – the HN-780G and HN-870C at the GTE recently. The Hashima HN-780G can detect a metal fragment as small as 0.8 mm in diameter from a detection height of 100 mm. Another variant of the machine, the HN-870C, comes in a standard detection height of 120 mm but is available in models with detection height up to 180 mm for larger goods. The machine has a magnetic induction system which provides an active field all around the width of the belt. Sensors are placed in such a way that even metal fragments lying in face to the belt are detected. A sensitivity setting from 10 to 101, enables the perfect sensitivity for any type of garments. The model has a digital IPC board that enables reduction of magnetic disturbance and increases the stability of needle detection performance by the digital processing and an LCD improves visibility and operability while at the same time showing the current condition of the machine.
Agent: Rajasthan International
Cerliani presents ‘Noiseless Hook’ through a two-stage intervention
Cerliani recently introduced its new patented ‘Noiseless Hook’ which reduces the average noise level by 9.5 dB (15.8%) rotating at 3000 RPM, compared to all other high quality hooks from other international brands. This unique innovation was made possible by the Italian pioneer through a two-stage intervention. In the first part of the intervention, a toroidal shaped magnet (i.e. as a ring) was inserted in the bottom of the hook body which attracts the steel basket, significantly reducing the vibrations during sewing, the main case of noise. In the second part of the intervention, a special spring has been placed on the internal diameter of the basket, which exerts a slight pressure on the bobbin case and also reduces vibration while sewing, eliminating the noise generated by its banging against the basket during sewing. Any standard hook from Cerliani is available in the patented noiseless version with an ‘L’ added in the product code. Also available is an especially designed hook case for the same.
Thread Automation in Jeans Manufacturing”]One of the latest developments in sewing technology is the jeans automation. After the tried and tested success of Vibemac, the low-cost Chinese brands are also adopting this advancement to offer automats for sewing jeans and trousers, that too at affordable costs.
Agent: Turel
Vibemac shows an operational line for sewing short pants
Established in 1980, Vibemac, a leading Italian sewing machine manufacturer provides an advanced set of solutions for denim jeans worldwide. At the GTE recently, a live production floor of Vibemac sewing automats along with machines from Typical and Kaiyu, for producing short pants generated great interest among visitors. The line comprised of DCT 2516V4 pocket setter and pocket creaser, 1010V4DLC back pocket designing machine, 4650EV9R loop setter, 3022BHE bottom hemming machines, 2261HP feed-off-the-arm machine and 3022WB automatic waistband machine. Vibemac believes in the concept of balancing fashion with comfort and price, and aims to achieve the maximum output with high quality.
MACPI showcases its jean finishing machine for bottoms without pleats
The Italian pioneer MACPI popular for its wide range of finishing, pressing and fusing machines for shirts, suits, bottoms and knitwear, displayed its MACPI32110 jean finishing machine for bottoms without pleats at the GTE recently. The machine is fitted with innovative systems for finishing of casual and denim pants made of elastic and synthetic fibres as these types of fabric cannot be treated with traditional pressing methods. It has a system for flap and front pocket pressing, bottom pressing, and a warning light to indicate the out-of-size products. Another upgraded feature is the clamp for rear belt locking, especially useful for elastic trousers. The machine is extremely operator friendly as the final touches are no longer required. The machine can be used independent of the size of garment as the machine can be fitted with different devices for different garments such as long trousers, shorts, baby’s trousers, skirts, and also for overalls.
Agent: HCA
AGM exhibits its automatic sewing systems for both heavy and light weight materials
AGM is known to manufacture high-quality machines for the production of jeans belt and other denim sewing operations. This Turkish manufacturer is renowned for its automatic waistband attaching machines. The various products AGM offers to the Indian market are KZ 1060 J – the high speed feed-of-the-arm machine for both heavy and light weight materials, AGM KM 900 series for automatic waistband attaching and AGM KM 920 automatic waistband attaching machine for special curve in the waistband. The KZ 1060 J is provided with a moving puller system, pallet puller system and automatic presser foot lift. KZ 1040 G is a variant of the same machine for sewing light weight materials.
Agent: Mehala
JAM International highlights its automatic pocket setter with double colour thread
The Italian sewing automation specialist, JAM International has a wide and innovative set of sewing solutions for denim jeans, non-denim bottoms and shirts. A regular exhibitor at the GTE, JAM International showcased its JT862P automatic pocket setter with single colour thread; JT801P automatic loop setter; and JT882P automatic pocket setter with double colour thread. The JT882P is equipped with two lockstitch sewing heads that work simultaneously, a large capacity rotary hook, automatic stacker and thread trimmer.
The machine has an output of 1,800 bottoms in 8 hours. Another variant, the JT862P pocket setter with a single sewing head, guarantees an output of 1,100 bottoms per 8 hours. The pocket jig can be replaced in 3 minutes and the touchscreen control system allows immediate and intuitive modification of the sewing program, including the bartack.
HCA showcases wide range of sewing solutions from improving an operation to making a complete product
HCA with more than 100 years of experience in servicing the apparel industry with ‘World Acclaimed Brand, Best Technology and Services’, showcased a complete line of sewing automats for denim jeans from Duke, range of chainstitch sewing machines from Kansai Special, complete range of automats from Loiva, LW7000 pocket welting machine and S-311 electronic eyelet buttonhole machine from AMF Reece, MJ62 series of patented dual differential feed flat seamers from Megasew, specialized sewing attachments from Racing, sewing machines for leather from Highlead, ActiveSeam and MB series sewing machines from Merrow and thread trimming machines from Grand.
