Robotic Work Cell Integration for Apparel Manufacturing
Project Lead: Interface Technologies
Partners: Computer Generated Solutions Inc (CGS), Hickey Freeman, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Member % Cost Share: 50%
CESMII % Cost Share: 50%
Duration: 5 Months
Problem Statement
Apparel manufacturers have chosen to move production to lower labor costs rather than to automate domestic manufacturing. Low labor costs make it difficult to achieve the industry standard of < 18-month payback for capital equipment and this has precluded the use of commercial robotic systems to-date.
Project Goal
Develop an SM Profile information model and software application that would enable Robotic Sewing Work Cells under development to lower the adoption costs of robotic systems in the apparel industry and improve domestic manufacturing competitiveness.
Technical Approach
Create an SM Profile for Robotic Sewing Work Cells, implement an instance of the SMIP profile, develop a SM application within a Robotic Sewing system to automatically report labor costs and conduct Performance Testing to establish cost reductions.
Deliverables/Outcomes/SM Marketplace
- Delivered complete source code package for SM Profile interface ingestion pipeline.
- Delivered complete Sewing System Management Application Source Code package.
- Sewing system component SM profiles.
- Sewing Machine System Management Application.
Potential Impact
U.S. domestic Apparel Manufacturing lost 398,000 jobs, a 79.6% job force reduction, from Jan 2000 – Jab 2020 to foreign suppliers with lower labor costs. Increased productivity will enable re-shoring of apparel manufacturing.
Benefits
Apparel Manufacturing is the largest industrial vertical that has neither OPC/UA connectivity nor any other standard industrial connectivity. This project will bring three companies focused on Apparel Manufacturing to CESMII’s membership.
