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Adidas launches first trainers made at its advanced manufacturing plant SpeedFactory

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Adidas has launched the first major project to be created at its SpeedFactory facility in Ansbach, Germany.

The SpeedFactory features high levels of robotics and automation technology combined with 3D printing and other advanced manufacturing methods.

Adidas says the launch of the AM4 series heralds a “significant moment” for the brand in terms of the future of manufacturing, with SpeedFactory being a facility that will allow Adidas to explore, test and co-create with consumers, as well as constantly invent and reinvent design and define the future of how the brand creates.  [Read more…] about Adidas launches first trainers made at its advanced manufacturing plant SpeedFactory

Large textiles company and supplier to Adidas orders Soft Wear Automation’s robotic sewing system

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The textiles industry was one of the first and perhaps most famous examples of automation, having brought in the loom that so incensed the Luddites. 

But in the centuries since, the level of automation in textiles hasn’t really changed much, and the machines could only do the relatively simple tasks.

The automation machines available to the textiles industry today can be used in many parts of the process, from cutting to overlocking and so on, but the main thing they cannot yet do with equivalent skill is sewing.  [Read more…] about Large textiles company and supplier to Adidas orders Soft Wear Automation’s robotic sewing system

Adidas reveals ‘first’ robot-manufactured shoes

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Adidas has unveiled the first product to be created at its industry-changing SpeedFactory facility in Ansbach, Germany – in its Futurecraft MFG (Made for Germany) series, 500 pairs of which will be sold to the general public.

Designed to provide the “ultimate fit”, Adidas claims its Futurecraft MFG shoe is the first step in what Adidas believes will be a “game-changing” moment for the industry – mainly because the system customises the shoe for the shapes and motions of the individual customer’s feet.

The shoe is the first high performance footwear to come out of the Adidas SpeedFactory, which will ultimately allow for the creation of footwear made for the specific fit and functional needs of consumers.

The SpeedFactory is the name given by Adidas to its advanced manufacturing facilities, featuring high levels of robotics, automation and 3D printing. The first one was opened in Germany, and another one is being built in the US.

[Read more…] about Adidas reveals ‘first’ robot-manufactured shoes

Learning from Apple: Designed in the West, manufactured in the East

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Apple wasn’t always the 3.75 trillion-dollar company it is today. The company was close to bankruptcy in 1997, before Steve Jobs returned to launch newly designed and eye-catching products – like the first multi-coloured iMac range, the iPod and then the iPhone – and put the company on the journey to become the modern corporate phenomenon that it is today.

In today’s globalised economy, Apple could now be said to be the quintessential example of a company that designs its products in the United States while manufacturing them in China and across Asia.

Apple is not, of course, unique in this approach. Many other companies have been doing this for a long time. Such companies used to be called “multinationals” before the internet made the term almost redundant.

[Read more…] about Learning from Apple: Designed in the West, manufactured in the East

Top 10 Robotics Industry Thought Leaders to Follow on Social Media

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Robotics is one of the most еxciting and rapidly dеvеloping industries in the world. With nеw tеchnologiеs and applications еmеrging all thе timе, according to GlobeNewswire, it is еxpected that thе global robotics markеt will rеach US$86.20 billion by 2027.

This major growth includes many factors, like the incrеasing dеmand for automation in manufacturing and logistics, the growing popularity of sеrvicе robots, and the dеvеlopmеnt of nеw tеchnologiеs such as artificial intеlligеncе and machinе lеarning.

Artificial intelligence advancements have led to the emergence of hyper-realistic influencers with personalities, styles, and values of their own. [Read more…] about Top 10 Robotics Industry Thought Leaders to Follow on Social Media

The Rise of Sustainable Automation: Innovations and Best Practices in Fashion and Manufacturing

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Have you ever thought about how the fashion industry is responsible for roughly 10 percent of global carbon emissions? 

But here’s the good news – believe it or not – there’s a shift happening toward more sustainable practices; and automation is playing a huge role in this change.

Let’s dive into how innovations in fashion and manufacturing are making a difference. [Read more…] about The Rise of Sustainable Automation: Innovations and Best Practices in Fashion and Manufacturing

DB Schenker opens giant new automated e-commerce logistics hub in Spain

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DB Schenker, a supply chain management and logistics service provider, has started operations at one of the largest automated e-commerce facilities servicing its retail customers in Spain, Portugal and France.

Operations in the 50,000 sq meter state-of-the-art warehouse in Guadalajara have started with 150 employees on newly created jobs, more than 200 robots and an optimized packaging system.

The site is equipped with a Goods-to-Person picking system to handle around 55,000 units per day using Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) provided by Geek+, the global leader in AMR technology. The system features innovative pick-and-pack solutions for a fast and flexible online-order fulfillment and efficiently deal with returns. [Read more…] about DB Schenker opens giant new automated e-commerce logistics hub in Spain

Karlsruhe demonstrates robotic system for custom manufacturing

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There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about what’s sometimes called “custom manufacturing”, or the “batch of one” concept.

The idea behind such phrases is to create manufacturing processes that can almost tailor-make products for individual customers.

So let’s say if you wanted a particular brand of bicycle but would like your bike to have higher handle bars or wider foot pedals, the maker should be able to provide that without having to incur significantly greater production costs or add much to your purchase price. [Read more…] about Karlsruhe demonstrates robotic system for custom manufacturing

US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

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More than 200 footwear manufacturers in the US have sent President Donald Trump an open letter calling for an end to what they call the “catastrophic” and “unfathomable” new tariffs on Chinese imports. 

The companies include global and household names such as Adidas, Cat, Converse, K-Swiss, Nike, Puma, Ugg, and Under Armour, among many others.

The letter was sent under the auspices of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, the leading industry association, representing a total of 500 companies and brands worldwide. [Read more…] about US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

Webcast: Mass customisation and the apparel industry

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In this presentation and interview, Eric Zhang, VP of engineering at Scalable Press, provides an insight into how mass customisation is applied in the company. (See video below)

Scalable Press can supply manufactured goods in batches of 10,000 or any number. But it’s the fact that it can also supply that “batch of 1” that makes its process an example of mass customisation.

A vast number of Scalable Press’ customers are individuals who may be buying a T-shirt online, through a store of some kind, and selecting their own, individual design preferences.  [Read more…] about Webcast: Mass customisation and the apparel industry