C.K. Chan

Optimization of spreading and cutting sequencing model in garment manufacturing

Abstract Many researches on the machine scheduling and flowshop sequencing problem have been conducted by using genetic algorithms (GA). Recently, GAs have been applied to the scheduling and line balancing problem in garment manufacturing. These applications have only been confined to the sewing operations. This paper presents a spreading and cutting sequencing (SCS) model using GA to solve the sequencing problem of the computerized cutting system used in the garment industry. The comparison results obtained between the actual production cycle and the proposed model using GA indicate that GA is an appropriate and effective technique to solve the problem.

Shape-based retrieval and analysis of 3D models using fuzzy weighted symmetrical depth images

With the rapid development of 3D scanners, graphic accelerated hardware and 3D modeling tools, the application of 3D model databases is growing in both numbers and sizes, e.g. 3D body scans, head model and virtual mannequins. There is a pressing need for effective content-based 3D model retrieval methods. In this paper, a novel 3D model retrieval approach is proposed by using the Fuzzy Weighted Symmetrical Depth Images (FW-SDI). Firstly, three symmetrical planes of the 3D model are obtained based upon principal plane analysis and sequential quadratic programming, which are the distinctive characteristics of 3D model and perpendicular to each other. Secondly, three novel depth Images (NDI) and three depth differential images (DDI) are extracted by projecting the 3D surface to the proposed symmetrical planes. The Fourier descriptors of the novel depth Images and depth differential images are calculated. Finally, a fuzzy weighted procedure is conducted for combining the Fourier descriptors of NDI and DDI. Experiment results show that the proposed method can achieve better retrieval performance than others.

Kinanthropometry study of the physique of disciplined personnel

This paper applies the study of kinanthropometry to define the physique of 49 Hong Kong‐Chinese Fire Services recruits. Kinanthropometry has been widely used in predicting the secular trend in increased body size of and among different ethnic groups world‐wide. It has also been applied in the studies of the physiques of Olympic athletes. The criteria developed for this research can be used as standards for physical recruitment in the disciplined forces, as well as for streamlining and improving the basic measurement scale for the manufacture of uniforms. The results showed that the somatotypes of the studied disciplined personnel were distributed in the range of endomorphic mesomorph. Significant correlation was observed between somatotype components and body girths and length measurements.

A hybrid flowshop scheduling model for apparel manufacture

A hybrid flowshop (HFS) problem on the pre‐sewing o perations and a master production scheduling (MPS) problem of apparel manufacture are solved by a proposed two‐tier scheduling model. The first objective of this paper is to plan a MPS for the factory so that the costs are minimized when the production orders are completed before and after the delivery dates required by the customers. The second objective is to minimize the completion time of the pre‐sewing operations in the cutting department while the production quantities required by the sewing department at several predetermined times can be fulfilled by the cutting department. Experimentation is conducted and the results show the excellent performance of the proposed scheduling model for the apparel industry.

An Artificial Intelligence Method for Planning the Clothing Manufacturing Process

In clothing manufacturing, manufacturers are now facing difficulty with production planning and scheduling as their customers apply the just-in-time philosophy to their businesses. Although various production scheduling and planning heuristics have been proposed and applied by many researchers, only a few studies have been conducted in the clothing industry. This paper describes the development of an effective artificial intelligence technique, Genetic Algorithm (GA), incorporated with an ‘earliness’ and ‘tardiness’ production scheduling and planning method to plan the clothing manufacturing process. Additionally, a segmentation strategy is developed to divide the production-planning period to overcome the problem of chromosome selection in GA. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in the clothing manufacturing process.

Algebraic modelling of pattern design: the abelian pattern semi‐group

Pattern design is a transformation process from the design sketch to the final production pattern. In order to computerize such a process, a mathematical model is indispensable. When a garment is decomposed into components of pattern pieces, this decomposition process can be modelled by using semi‐group. Presents the construction of this semi‐group structure, which is called the abelian pattern semi‐group, and the associated lattice structure with proofs and examples. Illustrates the interpretation and application of this algebraic model with the optimal control problem of the production line.

Application of fuzzy concept in the apparel industry

A fuzzy line-balancing (FLB) model is proposed to handle the line-balancing problem of fabric spreading and cutting operations of the apparel manufacturing process. The level of work-in-progress on each spreading table is reviewed with a planned target at a pre-defined time which gives fuzzy input variables to the fuzzy model. The schedule generated by the spreading-and-cutting sequencing model using a genetic algorithm was compared with that of the FLB model under a dynamic manufacturing environment. The results indicated that the proposed model could assist production management in solving the line-balancing problem in the dynamic manufacturing environment of the apparel industry.

Effects of spreading-table quantities on the spreading-table planning of computerized fabric-cutting system

Many researches have been conducted on the production planning problems. Recently, genetic algorithms have been applied to solve this problem. No studies have been discussed to solve the production planning problem in the operations of fabric spreading and cutting in garment manufacturing. A non-optimized spreading-table planning will directly causes poor work balance with idle time on the computerized fabric-cutting system. As a result, delay for delivery of cut pieces to the sewing operations happens. One of the factors greatly influencing the final spreading and cutting planning is the quantities of spreading tables installed. This paper presents a genetic algorithm (GA) approach to investigate an optimized spreading-table planning for the computerized fabric-cutting system and the effects of different quantities of spreading table on the spreading-table planning. The results show that GA is an effective approach to find out the optimized planning for the cutting system and predict the effects of different number of spreading tables on the production planning.

A SURVEY ON 3D HUMAN BODY MODELING FOR INTERACTIVE FASHION DESIGN

With the advancement in computer technology, the use of 3D virtual mannequin has mostly replaced the use of physical mannequin in the fashion industry. This paper reviews current interaction frameworks of 3D human body modeling for interactive fashion design and an optimized interaction framework is provided. Four methods are used in this study to collect the human body data to create the 3D body model: photograph-based method, laser scan method, feature curve method and combined method. The crafted garment modeling could be used for garment fitting and 2D pattern flattening.

Applied Somatotypy Study of the Physique of Hong Kong—Chinese Fire Services Disciplined Personnel

Somatotyping techniques were applied to analyse the body configuration of forty-nine Hong Kong-Chinese Fire Services disciplined personnel. The objective of the research was to reveal any significant relationship between the somatotypes and the anthropometric parameters of the discipline male subjects in Hong Kong. The derived data will be utilised to streamline the existing uniform size charts for all the disciplined services. The results concluded positive relationship between the somatotype components and certain anthropometric body parameters. Each of the somatotype components was studied to reveal its specific characteristics.