The rapid development of the clothing industry has brought about industrial benefits and driven the economic development of various industries in the supply chain. However, it has also caused significant damage to water resources. With the increasing emphasis and attention on environmental protection in various aspects of the textile industry, some leaders in the textile industry are seeking automated and intelligent solutions to reduce water pollution and improve textile production efficiency.
The clothing industry, from fabric production to disposal, heavily relies on water resources. For example, cotton, the most commonly used material in the clothing industry, requires a large amount of water for cultivation. On average, producing a cotton short-sleeve shirt consumes 2,700 liters of water. Additionally, the dyeing and finishing processes in the clothing industry often involve chemicals, with approximately 20% of industrial wastewater pollution coming from textile dyeing and finishing processes.
About the sustainability, the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has announced that its 2023 Textile Discovery Summit will be held from September 12-14 in the downtown district of Greenville, South Carolina. With the focus on supporting sustainability through innovation, this year's conference will be a groundbreaking event for the textile industry.
Automation and Intelligence
To achieve true sustainable development, the clothing industry must embrace technology and innovation. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) provide rare opportunities to optimize production, reduce waste, and minimize the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
For example, automated cutting systems can optimize fabric usage and minimize scraps and waste. According to an industry report, automated cutting can reduce fabric waste by up to 30%, resulting in significant resource savings.
Artificial intelligence is being used to predict trends and demand, thereby reducing overproduction—an important issue in the fashion industry that often leads to waste. A report by McKinsey & Company found that using AI in the fashion sector can reduce inventory costs by 13% and increase pre-tax profits by 3%.
Furthermore, automation and AI can create "smart factories" that enable real-time communication and coordination between machines and humans, making production processes more flexible, efficient, and sustainable. According to Deloitte Insights, smart factories can increase factory utilization rates by 12%.
SUNTECH Automated Visual Inspection System
SUNTECH Textile Machinery has unveiled a groundbreaking innovation called the ST-Thinkor—an artificial intelligence-powered automatic vision inspection system. This is a result of extensive research and development, utilizing camera-based fabric inspection technology. The versatility of ST-Thinkor is truly remarkable, as it finds application across a wide array of industries, including fabric production, apparel manufacturing, home textile production, electronic and industrial fiberglass production, automotive upholstery, airbag manufacturing, and nonwoven production.
One standout feature of this exceptional system lies in its compatibility with a diverse range of production machinery, enabling seamless integration for comprehensive product quality control. Whether it's conventional fabric weaving machines, fiberglass weaving machines, fabric inspection machines, laminators, stentering machines, shrinkage machines, or nonwoven machines, the ST-Thinkor effortlessly adapts to meet the needs of various manufacturing processes. The system's unparalleled versatility extends to the textile industry, where it diligently inspects a wide range of fabrics, from denim, wool, and chemical fibers to cotton, leather, automotive interiors, fiberglass, airbags, and nonwovens. This multifaceted capability empowers textile manufacturers to ensure impeccable quality across their entire product portfolio, cementing their reputation for excellence in the market.
Technological Report of ST-Thinkor
1. Precision of Inspection:
Our cutting-edge system boasts an astounding accuracy of 0.1mm, which can be tailored to meet your specific requirements. This guarantees that even the most minuscule imperfections will not elude our advanced detection mechanisms, offering you complete peace of mind.
2. Unmatched Detection Rate:
Traditional manual fabric defect inspections could only achieve a maximum detection rate of 90%. In contrast, our AI Automated Visual Inspection System excels with a remarkable 95% defects detection rate. Its continuous learning capabilities enable it to enhance defect identification processes and optimize flaw detection, providing you with unparalleled quality control.
3. Unprecedented Inspection Speed:
The inspection speed of our system depends on the applied machine types and camera numbers. Typically, a human inspector can reach a speed of 10-15m per minute. However, with ST-Thinkor's AI Automated Visual Inspection System, customers have the flexibility to choose the ideal cloth inspection speed to meet their specific needs. Equipped with state-of-the-art 50-megapixel high-speed cameras, our system offers exceptional imaging capabilities, enabling fully automated inspections at speeds of up to 150 mm/min. Furthermore, with 24-hour real-time monitoring, you can be confident that every inch of your fabric undergoes thorough inspection.
4. Camera Configuration:
To ensure optimal performance, we provide a precise number of high-speed cameras tailored to the fabric width and desired inspection accuracy. For instance, a 1.5m wide fabric can be effectively covered by four high-speed cameras, enabling fully automated inspection with a remarkable accuracy of 0.4mm, all while maintaining a swift speed of 60m/min. As you increase the number of cameras, you unlock even greater inspection speeds and enhanced accuracy, providing unparalleled control over the inspection process.
5. Seamless ERP/Mess Integration:
Our system seamlessly integrates with industry-leading factory management software, including ERP and MESS. This integration offers a seamless synergy between our product and these advanced management tools. You gain access to comprehensive management features that effortlessly display coordinates and defect images. By incorporating this valuable data into a fabric defects map, our solution optimizes cutting processes and significantly enhances overall performance. It is the ultimate choice for any textile production line, elevating your quality control to new heights.
SUNTECH Textile Machinery stands out as a preeminent manufacturer of textile machinery that blends innovation with optimization, streamlining the production process and elevating efficiency.