Industry Technology

[TC]² Announces 2007 Summer Student Interns

Selected by members of the Human Resources Leadership Council of the American Apparel and Footwear Association, the 2007 student interns are: Jessie Hill, Baylor University; Amy Lehan, University of Wisconsin-Stout; Heather McCready, Iowa State University; Allison Osteen, Oklahoma State University; April Taylor, East Carolina University; and Leanne Thornton, Mississippi State University.

Commencing on May 29th, the eight-week program includes an in-depth study of the latest product development technologies, industry supply chain issues, and business planning concepts. It is delivered in a hands-on learning environment which allows students to take what they learn back to their respective classrooms.

Comments Jim Lovejoy, Director of Industry Programs at [TC]², “We continually update our program and will be presenting content in keeping with today’s sewn products industry that students will encounter upon graduation.”

[TC]² Announces New, Smaller Scanner

The NX-16, the smallest scanning technology in the marketplace, uses safe white light technology, provides data acquisition in seconds, offers a private self-scanning mode of operation, and is highly accurate and easy to use. In addition to uses for made-to-measure clothing, size and style recommendation, creation of 3D avatars for virtual dressing, and sizing surveys, new applications include the health, fitness, and medical industries. New capabilities include body composition measurement, measurement tracking over time, and 3D body shape measuring and monitoring. For more information, visit http://www.tc2.com/products/body_scanner.html.

[TC]² Body Scanning Around the Country and the Globe

With the increased interest in 3D body scanning applications, it’s quite possible you’ve come across [TC]2 body scanner technology in retail, research, or in promotional venues. Body scanning is now beginning to be widely used for customized apparel, size prediction, apparel product development, military and commercial sizing surveys, and numerous educational and research applications. Over 40 [TC]² NX-12 3D body scanners were shipped during the last twelve months, a significant increase and a sign that the widespread use of body scanning is upon us, enabled by the size, price, and accurate performance of the NX-12.

Size Prediction at Saks 5th Avenue with Hugo Boss
October 22nd was a big day at Saks 5th Avenue with a celebration of an updated men’s floor with a focus on a new centralized Hugo Boss section. Two highlights of the event were a fashion show with hundreds of attendees and a [TC]² body scanner for customers to use to get their sizing information to assist them in product selection. Customers who were scanned walked away with a printed card of their sizing needs for suits, shirts, slacks, and shoes. The NX-12 scanner was set up in the exclusive product area of Hugo Boss and was busy all day. The application for Hugo Boss was developed in less than a week due to the automated size prediction generation software developed by [TC]² used in combination with the SizeUSA national body scan survey data of over 10,000 people representing a statistical sample of the U.S. population.

Customers received a listing of measurements for shopping assistance and for assistance with future purchases on a hard plastic permanent card.

Custom Jeans in Paris at Le Bon Marché and in London at Selfridges with Bodymetrics
Bodymetrics has offered custom jeans and real time garment on body visualization at Selfridges in London for some time and their second site has just opened in Paris at Le Bon Marché. The new system was installed on Nov 6 and was officially launched on November 16. The new system is sporting a custom high-tech fashion forward body scanner shell and is placed at the center of activity within the jeans department. Bodymetrics is selling two jeans lines at this location; their own brand priced at €250 and jeans from Efontaine priced at €450. The customer can choose the fabric, rise, and leg style, and be assured of the perfect fitting pair of jeans.

The Bodymetrics site at Selfridges will be updated with [TC]²’s latest NX-12 scanner technology and will re-open in a new high profile location within the store in early December. Shape Analysis Ltd., [TC]²’s UK partner for scanner sales, installation, and service, has worked closely with Bodymetrics to integrate the scanning system with their 3D tools. “We use remote desktop access to monitor the scanner performance remotely,” comments Richard Allen, President of Shape Analysis. “This allows for a minimum of downtime as is necessary for retail installations.”

Custom Men’s Tailored Clothing across the USA
Benchmark Clothiers, who are developing a network of 3D body scanning locations for custom apparel, has opened a new showroom and distribution facility in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Photos of their storefront are included below.

Benchmark Clothiers Storefront

Benchmark has developed a automated system containing their customer ordering application and connecting their store sites via the internet to their manufacturing and distribution facilities and are beginning a nationwide rollout of systems across the U.S.

Sizing Study for Tween Girls
In an effort to better understand sizing for girls ages 9-14, Auburn University researchers scanned nearly 120 tween girls using the [TC]² NX-12 transportable 3D scanner. This is the second phase of a National Textile Center project to understand sizing, motivation, and satisfaction with apparel for girls in this age range. Mothers accompanied the tween girls and both responded to a detailed survey in a local mall probing shopping habits, current sizes worn, body image, and influences in decision-making related to apparel. [TC]² was also a partner in the first phase of the project which included a series of focus groups and body scans with normal and plus-size tween girls and their moms.

Tri-Service Military Sizing Survey with Body Scanning Kicks Off in the UK
QinetiQ is leading the Haldane-Spearman consortium in this effort consisting of over 20 members. Within this consortium QinetiQ has teamed with the Dutch company TNO and the UK's Health and Safety Laboratories to carry out an MOD tri-service anthropometry survey. The survey aims to collect representative numbers of anthropometric data through a stratified sample which will take into account, gender, age, ethnic background, military service and job trade within each service. QinetiQ and partners will aim to capture anthropometric data from a population of around 5000 service personnel, using 25 weeks of scanning time and the 2T4 and NX-12 3D whole body scanners from [TC]². Data collection begins in 2006 and will form part of an up-to-date anthropometric database that can be used by designers or military equipment, clothing, etc. to better facilitate the UK's armed forces. The project is to be completed by March 2007.