Automated stripping-a missing link in computer integrated manufacture for the clothing industry

Describes the activities involved in the production of a robotic handling cell. The cell´s aim is to remove garment piece parts from a cutting table and load then on to a transportation system (referred to as stripping) to present to sewing operatives in clothing manufacture. The project has been undertaken as an integral part of the CIMTEX (Computer Integrated Manufacturing in TEXtiles) initiative. CIMTEX is a project which was established to help the UK knitwear industry become more competitive. The emphasis is on computer integrated manufacture in clothing but the application is to both small and medium sized enterprises as well as the larger organisations who employ high-technology solutions to production problems. The automated stripping facility is part of the state-of-the-art production line and represented `pre-competitive´ research for the open integration of machine processes. It aims to provide an interface between the cutting and sewing rooms of conventional clothing manufacture