Home / News / Now, Fashion woos military clothing

Now, Fashion woos military clothing

19 Jan '08

4 min read

Drawings are done freehand with pen and ink and then scanned into the computer where a state-of-the-art computer apparel design illustrator system is used to add design details, color, and text.

"The drawings are used in technical data packages and can also aid in manufacturing," Cumming-Rowell said. "Some designs can be pretty intricate and the drawing gives the manufacturer clarification."

Other areas where the drawings are helpful include showing off new concepts, for user instructions, to show finished dimensions, where to measure for specification, and construction.

Cumming-Rowell mentioned that recently the team had a design for an extraction harness and people didn't understand how it attached to the inside of a coverall. LaFleur made a drawing that showed the harness on a three-dimensional body so that personnel could see how and where the strap should be routed and attached.

The team often works with experimental designs. An operational combat sleeve is one design concept that is part of the team's current efforts. The idea behind the sleeve is to have a version of deltoid body armor that could be modular. The designers are looking at various designs and materials that could accomplish this.

An embroidery machine is an additional piece of equipment that sees a lot of use. Another clothing designer, Diane Kessinger, creates name tapes, insignia, military emblems, logos and other custom embroidery designs which are digitized and stitched on the embroidery machine.

Reverse engineering is an added strength that the team has. If an item is manufactured outside the NSRDEC, the designers here can make and/or modify the pattern before it goes out for contract.

"We also have the capability to research experimental fabrics," said Cumming-Rowell. "If someone comes to us with an idea, we are able to find out if it is something that can be done." The team has worked on various clothing items such as uniforms, dress clothing, chemical/biological protective ensembles, body armor items, and cooling garments.

"The expertise of our designers combined with the specialized equipment truly make our facility unique," said Cumming-Rowell.

U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center-Natick

Clothing Textiles

Leave your Comments

RECOMMENDED

US’ Albany International completes acquisition of Heimbach Group
Clothing Textiles

Germany’s Freudenberg receives Material Health certification
Clothing Textiles

Tex-Tech to invest $24 mn on textile factory in Winston-Salem
Clothing Textiles

US’ Burlington showcases bio-based fabric with stretch yarn tech
Clothing Textiles

US’ Voormi unveils next generation of Core Construction technology
Clothing Textiles

Sweden’s Polygiene & MP Activewear launch high-performance fabrics
Clothing Textiles

Canadian retailer Frank And Oak launches waterproof smart collection
Clothing Textiles

US’ Acteev & Coalatree launch Suray Sun Shirt at Outdoor Retailer
Clothing Textiles

Now, Fashion woos military clothing

Leave your Comments

Weekly technical textiles newsletter

ABOUT TECHNICAL TEXTILES

Main LINKS

Quick Links

Follow us