Rajkishore Nayak

Artificial intelligence and its application in the apparel industry

Abstract Apparel manufacturing is labor-intensive, which is characterized by low-fixed capital investment; a wide range of product designs and, hence, input materials; variable production volumes; high competitiveness; and often high demand on product quality. To cater these demands, the labor-intensive processes should be converted into automated processes accomplished by the use of computers, models, digital components, and artificial intelligence (AI). AI is the field of study that deals with the synthesis and analysis of computational agents that act intelligently. In this chapter various applications of AI in apparel manufacturing have been described. This chapter also includes different types of AI such as expert systems, neural network, fuzzy logic, genetic algorithm, and other approaches used in garment manufacturing.

Introduction to automation in garment manufacturing

Abstract The global demand for clothing has increased manifolds because of increased population, change of consumers attitude toward fast fashion, and increase in the average income per head in many countries. This increased demand for clothing is fulfilled by the developing countries, which are now becoming the manufacturing hub for several international fashion brands. Apparel manufacturing is still a labor-intensive process in these developing countries, although there have been several automation available commercially. Availability of cheap labor and the high initial investment are the causes for which the garment industries are not adopting the technology. However, the global demand for high-quality clothing and stiff competition is now mandating many manufacturers to adopt the automation technology. This chapter discusses the global position of automation in garment manufacturing including the requirements and fundamental concepts. The major problems of automation have been discussed in detail. Automation in various processes of garment manufacturing has been covered in detail. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of automation including the future trends have also been discussed in this chapter.

Comparison of Results and Future Suggestions

Two melt processes, such as: melt electrospinning and meltblowing were employed in this research for the fabrication of nanofibres from polypropylene polymers of different melt flow index (MFI). In melt electrospinning, the use of additives and in meltblowing, the use of various fluids helped in the fabrication of nanofibres. This chapter compares the fibres fabricated by melt electrospinning and meltblowing. Fibre morphology, structural and mechnaical properties have been compared. In addition, the mechanism of fibre formation and the role of polymer properties in the fibre formation process have also been discussed.

Results and Discussion: Melt Electrospinning

This chapter discusses the results and discussion of the experiments done on the melt electrospinning to fabricate nanofibres and their characterisation. Uses of additives such as rheology modifiers, to reduce the melt viscosity and conductivity enhancers, to increase the electrical conductivity in melt electrospinning helped in the fabrication of nanofibres. The use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) reduced the melt viscosity; whereas the use of sodium oleate (SO) and sodium chloride (NaCl) improved the electrical conductivity. The results obtained from various characterisation techniques such as fibre morphology, thermal, crystalline, and mechanical properties; and surface wettability are also discussed in this chapter.

Results and Discussion: Meltblowing

This chapter discusses the results and discussion of the experiments done on meltblowing to fabricate nanofibres and their characterisation. The use of various fluids such as air, nitrogen and water at the vent port of a melt extruder helped in the fabrication of nanofibres. The factors influencing the fibre diameter in meltblowing have been discussed. The results obtained from various characterisation techniques such as fibre morphology, thermal, crystalline and mechanical properties, and surface wettability are also discussed in this chapter.

Review of Literature: Meltblowing

This chapter deals with the meltblowing process, which is generally used for the fabrication of microfibres. Meltblowing is a simple, versatile and one-step process for the production of materials in the micrometre and smaller scale directly from the polymer. The equipment used for meltblowing and the factors affecting the fibre diameter have also been discussed in this chapter. Furthermore, the properties of fibres fabricated by meltblowing is covered. Various approaches in meltblowing for the fabrication of nanofibres have been highlighted as well.

Conclusions: Melt Electrospinning

This chapter concludes the findings of the research that focused on the fabrication and characterisation of nanofibres of polypropyle (PP) by melt electrospinning. Melt electrospinning of pure PP polymers (100, 300, 1000 and 2000 melt flow index (MFI)) and polymers with different additives (sodium oleate (SO), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and sodium chloride (NaCl)) has been successfully achieved. It was found that within limits, an increase in the temperature, applied voltage and collector distance; and a reduction of melt flow rate and spinneret size resulted in a decrease in the fibre diameter.

Experimental: Melt Electrospinning

The nanofibres were fabricated by melt electrospinning by reducing the viscosity and increasing the electrical conductivity of the polymer melt. Then the nanofibres were investigated to understand their properties, hence, characterised by different techniques. This chapter deals with the materials used, the equipment and the processing parameters applied in the melt electrospinning experiments. It also includes the equipment and test conditions used for the characterisation of the fibres fabricated. The characterisation techniques include scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential thermal calorimetry (DSC), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and mechanical characterisation.

Review of Literature: Melt Electrospinning

Recently, nanotechnology has been booming in many important areas such as medicine, engineering, electronics and textiles. In fibrous materials it has predominantly come up in the form of electrospun nanofibres. This chapters deals with the process widely used for the fabrication of nanofibres, which is electrospinning due to its simplicity and suitability for a variety of polymers. Different types of electrospinning such as solution and melt electrospinning have been discussed. As this study is based on melt electrospinning, the research works related to the factors influencing the fibre properties such as applied voltage, collector distance, polymer viscosity and conductivity have been discussed. Furthermore, the characterisation of nanofibres using various technologies has also been discussed.

Introduction to manikins

Mannequin or manikin has undergone several changes since they were introduced in the 15th century. The earlier manikins were used by fashion producers to evaluate size and fit, and in window display. The technological developments have led to the design of manikin that can provide objective results for a controlled environment such as automotive interior and perform objective tests to evaluate various parameters of protective clothing used in areas such as firefighting, defense, hot metal splash, and cold weather protection. This chapter deals with the history of manikin development including their chronological developments. This chapter also covers different types of manikins, recent developments, and their application areas in various fields. A brief description on the contents of each chapter has also been included. This chapter will help the readers to gain preliminary knowledge of manikins before reading other chapters, which are focusing specific areas of application.