In response to the digital revolution taking place in today’s industry, the e-MANIQUÍ project is focusing on the incorporation of more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective processes in the garment-making sector of the Valencian Autonomous Community, via the integration of 3D technology. 

Industrial activity in all sectors is undergoing a digital revolution and the textile and garment-making industries are no exception. All manufacturers, from large multi-nationals to micro companies are having to adapt to this digital transformation which is affecting how we design, manufacture and even purchase fashion wear.

There is a great range of digital tools available which offer manufacturers huge advantages in terms of contributing to reductions in costs and lead times. However, integrating these tools into a manufacturing process is something which many companies have yet to undertake. More conventional manufacturing systems are still the preferred method for many SMEs and the need for research into how to efficiently integrate digital tools is slowing down the rate at which they are being taken up.

The broad aim of e-maniquí is to facilitate the incorporation of more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective systems in the garment-making industry of the Valencian Autonomous Community. This will in turn contribute to the evolution of advanced garment-making and fashion 4.0 production techniques.

In this respect, 3D technology used to create virtual prototypes offers huge advantages to manufacturers by improving production processes, the use of resources, inter-departmental communication and how the manufacturer reacts to market realities.

During the development of the project, research has been carried out into how to adapt a range of variables which influence the creation of a virtual simulation to the real needs of the manufacturer depending on designs, fabrics and the demands of their customers. In addition, approaches will be developed to enable companies to adapt these variables as and when the market and fashion evolve. This is a vital facet if fully-viable virtual prototypes are to be achieved and the only way of ensuring that all of the myriad advantages of using 3D simulation are exploited to the full.

The project is funded by the Conselleria d’Economia Sostenible, Sectors Productius, Comerç i Treball of the Generalitat Valenciana through IVACE, and is co-funded with the EU’s ERDF within the ERDF Operational Programme of the Comunitat Valenciana 2014-2020. FILE: IMDEEA/2017/16