Tech company claims automation breakthrough
12/09/2016
Sewbo, a Seattle-based company, says its robot was able to sew together a t-shirt, the first time a robot has been used to sew an entire article of clothing.
It overcame the traditional problem of robots’ inability to handle limp, flexible fabrics by temporarily stiffening the material used. This makes it easier for robots to build the clothes. It uses a water-soluble stiffener, Polyvinyl Alochol, to do so. The polymer, which is used in textile production too temporarily strengthen yarn during weaving, allowed the fabric to be easily moulded and welded then sewn together.
Once the manufacturing is complete, the garment is rinsed in hot water to reverse the stiffening. The process allows for the stiffener to be recovered and reused.
“Our technology will allow manufacturers to create higher-quality clothing at lower costs in less time than ever before,” said Jonathan Zornow, the inventor of the technology.
He added that the process “avoids labour issues” and “shortens supply chains”, predicting that digital manufacturing will “revolutionise fashion”.
Sewbo used an off-the-shelf industrial robot, which was taught to operate a consumer sewing machine. The company now plans to expand its team and work towards commercialising the technology.
Image courtesy of Sewbo.
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