APPAREL MANUFACTURING – II 3(3+0)

Lesson 14 : Cutting - Notchers

Computer controlled cutting

The input for this operation comes from the markers generated on computerized marker planning systems. The marker data is transferred to the cutting unit by means of tapes, floppy discs, and streamers or directly from marker planning system itself. Computerized cutting is 6-8 times faster than manual method and produces cut components with a consistent level of accuracy. It is the most efficient and effective investment for large-scale production.

A typical computer cutting system has a table with a cutting surface consisting of nylon bristles which support the fabric lays but are flexible enough to permit penetration and movement flexible enough to permit penetration and movement of knife blade which is supported only at the top. The bristles also allow the passage of air through the table to create a vacuum, reducing the height of lay. The carriage supporting the cutting head has two synchronized servo-motors which drive it on tracks on the edges of the table. A third motor positions the cutting head. The cutting head contains a knife, automatic sharpener and another motor, which rotates the knife to position at a tangent to the line of cut on curves. A control cabinet houses the computer, electrical components, its carriage and the vacuum motor. The other functions available are a spreader to lay the fabric, motorized drill-to-drill holes, the cutting table with a conveyor or a flotation-cutting table carrying the cutting head.

FIG 6 Computer – Controlled cutting Head & Table

The entire cutting methods described used a metal blade in some form, powdered by hand or machine. This is not the only way to separate materials; several high energy sources which can be concentrated into a moving point have been tried for cutting the fabric. All are controlled in a similar way to the computer-controlled knife.