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PDFTHE ADOPTION OF AUTONOMOUS MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS IN THE U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRYCC BY-SA V4.0, Open Access
Thesis
THE ADOPTION OF AUTONOMOUS MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS IN THE U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
01/2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005495
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/119178
Abstract
Current patent research, in the apparel sector, shows an emerging trend of claims to autonomous manufacturing systems. Autonomous manufacturing systems involve the integration of various manufacturing operations performed by automated machines and robots with no human interaction (Nayak & Padhye, 2018). Integrated autonomous manufacturing operations refer to the connecting of a variety of production and workstation processes into a single integrated automated handling device (Chin, 2004). For instance, Softwear Automation is a company that has developed a fully autonomous shoulder, sleeve, side seam, hemming, and binding system, which enables the digital T-Shirt work line to produce one complete t-shirt in 30 seconds without human intervention (Automating Apparel Manufacturing, 2019).However, what are the technological components needed to form an autonomous manufacturing system? Are these technologies being adopted with the capability of integrating with one and other? What is the current state of automated driven technologies and which ones are being adopted by U.S apparel manufacturers and brands? This study examines the drivers and barriers impacting the rate of adopting automated-driven technologies by apparel manufacturers and brands. Additionally, this research investigates how the adoption of autonomous manufacturing technologies impacts the reshoring of manufacturing to the U.S and how the integration of autonomous manufacturing technologies may influence the future of the U.S apparel business and production models.
This qualitative study involves a series of interviews with 20 U.S based technology suppliers and manufacturers of the apparel industry. A thematic analysis of the interview data reveals eight overarching themes; (1) tri-sector collaboration, (2) global platform enterprise, (3) artificial intelligence and automation, (4) business models, (5) human labor, (6) education, (7) onshoring manufacturing and (8) the designer's role. Additionally, study results show that the variables influencing the adoption of autonomous manufacturing systems are scalable production, speed to market, cost of technology, status quo/mindset, human labor, a global health crisis (COVID-19), and multisector collaboration. This study contributes to the U.S reshoring and domestic supply chain literature by examining the drivers and barriers of automation-driven technology adoption in the U.S apparel industry.
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Details
- Title
- THE ADOPTION OF AUTONOMOUS MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS IN THE U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY
- Creators
- Carolina Silva
- Contributors
- Ting Chi (Advisor)Armine Ghalachyan (Committee Member)Vicki A. McCracken (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 109
- Identifiers
- 99900592055201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis