In this article, we present you with three examples showing how automation technology is reshaping garment manufacturing.

1: LOWRY Sewbots by SoftWear Automation

(Source: SoftWear Automation)

LOWRY Sewbots are invented by SoftWear Automation, an Atlanta-based company in the United States. Using advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as computer vision and advanced robotics, these SewBots can analyse and manipulate fabrics just like a human. LOWRY Sewbots can perform multiple garment manufacturing tasks, such as cutting, seaming and sewing, labeling and quality inspection all through a single control touch panel. In addition, six LOWRY Sewbots can be controlled by a single machine operator, leading to increased productivity. 

The SewBots’ multifunctional capabilities reduce the need for garment makers by 50-70%, according to this article. In the United States, where the Sewbot is made, the cost of making a denim shirt is $7.47. However, with a robotic production line, the cost per shirt falls to just $0.33. This enhances the United States’ productive competitiveness in relation to other countries.

Not only does this translate to lower costs for garment manufacturers, but the robots will also increase production. In eight hours, human sewing lines produce an average of 669 t-shirts. However, a robotic sewing line has the capacity to produce 1,142 t-shirts, which is a 71% increase in production. Therefore, by automating the sewing process, the garment manufacturing factory experiences an increase in production efficiency.

2: MAICA Italia Machines

Maica 3006, one of the many MAICA products for sale. The 3006 has been designed to manipulate garment collars.

(Source: MAICA Italia)

While the LOWRY SewBot is an innovative all-in-one machine, there are other automated machines that help to enhance the efficiency of different stages across the garment manufacturing process. 

MAICA Italia is an Italian company that prides itself on their multiple lines of automated machines for shirts. Their range of products include automated sewing systems for different parts of a garment, including collars, cuffs and pockets. Each of their machines automate different stages of a garment worker’s workflow, such as pressing or fusing of garment components. 

By automating different stages of the production line instead of the entire production process, a human-machine integration can be achieved, leading to higher efficiency and fewer job losses. Also, craftsmanship and quality control can be verified by expert human workers instead of machines, enabling manufacturers’ high quality standards to be consistently met.

3:  Waist Band Marking Machine by Vector Consultancy

Granted, robotic automation machines may often come with a high price tag. However, the process of automating garment manufacturing need not always incur sky-high prices. 

Vector Consultancy in India has developed a Waist Band Marking Machine, a low-cost automation machine that helps garment factory workers to mark multiple positions along a trouser waistband in one stroke.

A video demonstrating this is shown here: