Robots should be able to sew at about the same rate as conventional factories
Sewbo Inc, a Seattle-based technology start-up, developed an industrial robot to sew a T-shirt, achieving the long-sought goal of automation for garment production. Jonathan Zornow, inventor, Sewbo Inc, shares details about his latest innovation and prospects of automation shortening lengthy lead times.
How did you come up with the idea of a Sewbo?
I started considering the issue after watching the How It’s Made on blue jeans. I was inspired to find the solution by an article on temporary, water-soluble 3D printed support scaffolding.
Robots like Sewbo can lead to unemployment in many countries like China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and India. What are your thought on this?
Even though history tells us manufacturing advances always works out for the best, many people ask me about this and I share their concerns about the short-term impacts of automation. I believe it will be a long time before automation can perform complex assemblies, and it will never be able to do everything. It will be a gradual transition. One of the biggest reasons I made this announcement is to give the industry ample notice that change is on the horizon, with the hopes of reducing its eventual impact.
What are your future plans? How do you plan to grow with Sewbo?
The American military spends billions of dollars a year on uniforms, and the law says that they must be made in the United States of America. They are interested in utilising automation, and have been funding research in this space. I am hoping that Sewbo will be able to provide solutions and develop its technology with this target in mind.
What is the kind of response you have received for Sewbo?
The response has been overwhelming. I have heard from companies at every level of the supply chain, from all over the world. There seems to be a great demand for automation in the apparel industry.
The Sewbo website demonstrates a robot sewing a basic T-shirt. Can this technology be used to stitch other complex styles?
The simplicity of a T-shirt made it a natural choice for a proof-of-concept, but the technology should be applicable to a wide range of sewn products.
Ever since the launch, Sewbo has been all over the media. Has this translated into sales?
I have been overwhelmed with the interest the project has received. Sewbo isn’t currently selling anything, but it has been very instructive to learn about the areas in which automation has the greatest demand. It has also been a wonderful opportunity to explore strategic partnerships with interested manufacturers.
Any other R&D at your unit that you plan to unveil soon?
There are several projects in progress, but it may be a while before they are ready to be shared.
Does stiffening the fabric with a non-toxic polymer change the final product and its finish?
The treatment is a relatively mild process, and we have not seen major changes. However, it does require some wetting and washing so it is only suitable for materials that can be rinsed thoroughly in warm water.
How many basic T-shirts can Sewbo stitch on an average day? What is the time taken to stitch a T-shirt using Sewbo in comparison to time taken to stitch manually?
At the prototype stage, the assembly process is still quite slow. When it’s in factories, robots should be able to sew at about the same rate as conventional factories.
What has been the cost of the entire Sewbo project? Where did the funding come from? How soon do you hope to break even?
I cannot discuss those business specifics. I can tell you that I have several investors.
Can the Sewbo be modified to stitch other garments?
Yes, this is a general purpose solution for cut-and-sew manufacturing operations.
What is the cost of installing Sewbo in a factory? What kind of supervision or monitoring is required?
Costs are dependent on specific applications and scale, with the size of the operations. Supervisors are required to manage production, make sure the machines are provided with appropriate supplies, replace broken needles and things like that. Supervisors will also be required to confirm the quality of finished goods.
Published on: 27/09/2016
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
