Page 23 - TEXtalks International October/November 2022

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Can R obots
Can Robots

shift apparel
shift apparel

production to
production to

the W est?
the West?

The garment industry's traditional business model the labor -intensive part of apparel production is
the labor-intensive part of apparel production is
The garment industry's traditional business model
has been to place bulk orders with manufacturers in
moving the fabric from one machine to another has
has been to place bulk orders with manufacturers in moving the fabric from one machine to another has
Asia, often however robots are replacing humans in
Asia, often however robots are replacing humans in not yet been satisfactorily automated. Garment parts
not yet been satisfactorily automated. Garment parts
are stitched in a systematic way as the first operator
many industries but at the same time robotic are stitched in a systematic way as the first operator
many industries but at the same time robotic
penetration in textiles has not reached most of the
after stitching his/her part passes it on to the next
penetration in textiles has not reached most of the after stitching his/her part passes it on to the next
textile value chain. Still, automation has reduced
and so on till the garment is finished by the last
textile value chain. Still, automation has reduced and so on till the garment is finished by the last
workers in the spinning industry to 1/3rd or less but
workers in the spinning industry to 1/3rd or less but operator . This is a labor -intensive process that has
operator. This is a labor-intensive process that has
not so in apparel production. shifted apparel production to countries with low
shifted apparel production to countries with low
not so in apparel production.
wages, using computer -controlled sewing machines.
wages, using computer-controlled sewing machines.
The modern spinning mills operate with spindles that
The modern spinning mills operate with spindles that
Europe and China have developed a gripper robot
consume 40 percent less power and produce more Europe and China have developed a gripper robot
consume 40 percent less power and produce more
yarn per spindle. A conventional spinning mill of that could shift the fabric from one machine to the
yarn per spindle. A conventional spinning mill of
that could shift the fabric from one machine to the
20000 spindles employs 600 workers but spinners
20000 spindles employs 600 workers but spinners other, however, perfection is still elusive. Bringing
, perfection is still elusive. Bringing
, however
other
with the latest spindles need only 150-200 workers.
with the latest spindles need only 150-200 workers. production home can be offer wide range of benefits
production home can be offer wide range of benefits
to European retailers but to replace labor technology
Along with reducing the need for labor intensive
Along with reducing the need for labor intensive to European retailers but to replace labor technology
procedures, these textile gripping robots save time, needs to mature as much as these complex
needs to mature as much as these complex
procedures, these textile gripping robots save time,
resources and training for workers. This technology processes require. German and Chinese researchers
resources and training for workers. This technology
processes require. German and Chinese researchers
can in return, be a great support for clothing brands
can in return, be a great support for clothing brands are hopeful of coming up with a robotic device that
are hopeful of coming up with a robotic device that
could replace most of the human workforce. This
to respond increasingly quick to the domestic market
to respond increasingly quick to the domestic market could replace most of the human workforce. This
demand. On the other side of the equation, however , might pave the way for shifting apparel production
demand. On the other side of the equation, however,
might pave the way for shifting apparel production
significant employment problems in the form of from low-labor-cost countries to developed nations.
significant employment problems in the form of
from low-labor
-cost countries to developed nations.
Robotic use could make the process
decreasing job security may rise in Asia due to this
decreasing job security may rise in Asia due to this Robotic use could make the process
energy
-intensive, but
-intensive instead of labor
shift of production. It is probable that the West will be
shift of production. It is probable that the W est will be energy-intensive instead of labor-intensive, but
facing criticism and protests from concerned labor
analyzing in deeper perspective, these robots may
facing criticism and protests from concerned labor analyzing in deeper perspective, these robots may
groups if this shift prospers. cause energy costs to significantly increase since
cause energy costs to significantly increase since
groups if this shift prospers.
automation heavily relies on energy sources. So, the
automation heavily relies on energy sources. So, the
question arises, robots shifting garment production
The stitching and embroidering machines have also
The stitching and embroidering machines have also question arises, robots shifting garment production
from Asia to the W
been automated to improve performance; fabric is
est may be a breakthrough but at
been automated to improve performance; fabric is from Asia to the West may be a breakthrough but at
also cut through laser-guided cutting machines but what cost?
-guided cutting machines but
also cut through laser
what cost?
October/November 2022
October/November 2022