The use of laser in garment manufacturing: an overview

Abstract

Laser is being used in apparel industry from nineteenth century for various garment manufacturing applications. There are several advantages of using laser over the conventional processes in cutting, engraving, embossing, denim fading and other applications. In addition, product damage potential is reduced, no/less consumables are needed and no problem of toxic by-product disposal as found in some processes. Today's laser equipment is a result of continuous research and development of earlier products, which has undergone several changes. The initial laser systems were cumbersome, hard to run and difficult to maintain. However, the modern laser systems are simpler in operation and maintenance. Furthermore, the earlier systems were involved with more safety issues and needed the gasses to be constantly replenished. The garment manufactures around the globe should take the advantage of laser application in the post multi-fibre agreement regime to make their products more competitive. This review focuses on the technology of laser including various classifications. In addition it includes the applications of laser in garment manufacturing, their potential hazards and health related concerns.

Use of a carbon dioxide laser for environmentally beneficial generation of distressed/faded effects on indigo dyed denim fabric: Evaluation of colour change, fibre morphology, degradation and textile properties

“…Laser beams are widely used to cut various materials from metal to fabric; garment decoration using laser etching and engraving have grown in popularity to produce faded effects including surface textures and patterns. The applications of lasers in apparel manufacturing are diverse and include: fabric fault detection, fabric cutting, objective evaluation of seam pucker, accurate body measurements, laser fabric fading, engraving, laser welding of fabrics, bar code scanning and laser marking (Nayak and Padhye, 2016). Jeanologia launched a laser fading technique for denim garments that has replaced conventional methods of whiskering, sand blasting and other artisan techniques for creation of denim wear effects (Garcia, 2015).…”

Sustainability Issues of Various Denim Washing Methods

“…Moreover, laser engraving is useful in fabrics' burning and colour fading to generate embroidered designs in the cloth. Lasers are preferred for low-cost sealed CO 2 and laser engraving [60]. There is a possibility of pre-programming the laser with designs that may exactly replicate the anticipated look obtained through manual sandblasting and sanding with considerably minimal labour and physical hazards.…”

3D Body Scanning with Mobile Application: An Introduction to Globalise Mass-Customisation with Pakistani Fashion E-Commerce Unstitched Apparel Industry

“…The standard size measurement methods were used for garment production which lead to unsatisfied consumers in terms of size and fit. This approach cuts down the window of sustainability [42]. However, unstitched apparel product can be personalised according to specific consumers and cloth wastage can be reduced.…”