Computer-aided Design and Computer-aided Manufacture

Computer-aided Design and Computer-aided Manufacture are abbreviated to CAD and CAM. CAD is used in the design process and CAM is used in the manufacturing process.

Although technology is used in the design and manufacturing processes, it does not replace people, or solve problems to do with management, quality issues or any organisational problems within a company.

The majority of clothing companies do not use CAD for original design work, however fashion designers  use CAD for the manipulation of patterns, to experiment with colours and create structure. Designers who use CAD have more time to research their ideas, because they are not spending as much time producing labour intensive drawings. As the designer is able to spend more time on research, this often leads to a better product, as the designer has the opportunity to explore street fashion and market trends. 


CAM is used in the manufacturing process to control a variety of machinery and processes, such as cloth cutters, electronic looms and knitting machines. All of this machinery needs computers to control them.


Technology 
CAD and CAM make it possible for companies to produce garments using electronic means, instead of using old-fashioned paper and cardboard patterns and blocks. This means that garments can be mass produced, so that productivity is at its maximum.  As CAD and CAM are also stored on discs, they are easier to store than paper and cardboard patterns and blocks. This is an advantage in the twenty-first century, when the cost of factory space is so high. These storage discs can also be copied and stored in fire-proof safes, so guaranteeing their safety. Paper and cardboard patterns and blocks could be destroyed in a fire and the cost, both for the designer and the manufacturer would be disastrous. 

Cost Effectiveness
When the two systems of CAD and CAM are used together, they provide designers and manufactures with complete flexibility and maximum production. Designers and manufacturers need to be able to respond to changes in the market, so any process which helps them do this ensures that they remain in business and make money.  A company that can stay ahead, as far as fashion trends are concerned, will always remain in business. The fashion industry is a “cut-throat” business, with designers and manufactures having to make the best use of technology to ensure that the least amount of fabric, thread, zips and embellishments are used to create the finished garment for the fad, high-street and prêt-a-porter markets. CAM guarantees that pattern pieces are positioned on the fabric, so that the minimum amount of fabric is wasted. Every centimetre of fabric that is wasted in the manufacturing process means a loss of profit for the manufacturer. Over the production of thousands of garments, over the period of a year, this can soon add up to a loss in income.
By using CAD and CAM, consistent standards can be maintained throughout the whole process of design and manufacture. By having these consistent standards, the quality of the final product is improved. 


 Pattern Grading 
CAD is used for pattern grading, which means the construction of different sizes of a garment.  By grading patterns with CAD, this means that the design costs are kept to a minimum. Changes can be made on the computer screen within seconds, which means that what was once a labour intensive task, costing thousands of pounds, can be reduced to the absolute minimum, so saving money. CAD allows designers to design fabrics in a choice of colourways, or even to adjust fabric designs in many different ways, in a very short space of time. CAD also allows for adjustments in seam allowance, which can result in less fabric being used for the overall design. Adjustments to such elements as darts, bodice shape, skirt profile, neckline shape, collar design, sleeve shape and length, pleats, gathers and skirt length can be modified in a very short period of time.

Presentation

CAD also allows designers to present ideas in new ways, such as a multimedia slide show. Smart companies are exploiting CAD and CAM to put forward their market profile, to generate an image of a high-tech organisation that makes the best use of all resources, keeps manufacturing costs low and is able to respond and adjust to market forces.

Global Manufacture
By using CAD and CAM, data can also be transferred from one manufacturing site to another, from one country to another.  As this is done electronically, it means that there are no mistakes during the transfer of information, unlike verbal or hand written communications.  CAD and CAM have also enabled the transfer of this information to be undertaken quickly, therefore saving time and money. Many countries in the world have a clothing industry. Clothing may be designed in one country, manufactured in another and then sold all over the world.

Keeping Ahead
The clothing and textile industry designs for up to four seasons each year.  CAD and CAM have enabled designers and manufacturers to provide retailers with clothing that will be in the shops on time; for the correct season; often for only a very short space of time. Retailers want good quality, original garments, produced as economically as possible. CAD and CAM have enabled this to happen. Pressure is always on the designer to produce more innovative designs. Retailers and designers work together, using CAD to develop designs for the retail market. The experience of the designer, coupled with the marketing expertise of the retailer guarantees that, in conjunction with CAD and CAM, that the customer on the high street is able to purchase as high a quality garment as possible, for the price they are prepared to pay.