The “Cool Zone” Goes to “Coolombia”

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA USA – Following its very successful debut at SPESA Expo in Miami Beach in May 2007, [TC]² and SPESA are partnering to set up and coordinate another “Cool Zone” at Colombiatex de las Americas in Medellín, Colombia on January 22-24, 2008. Just as Miami Beach became a very cool place to be last May, Colombiatex will become “Coolombiatex” by the time the 100 square meter Cool Zone exhibit is set up.

Such companies as American & Efird (www.amefird.com), Audaces (www.audaces.com.br), Lectra (www.lectra.com), Shapely Shadow (www.shapelyshadow.com), Schmetz (www.schmetz.com), Tukatech (www.tukatech.com), OptiTex (www.optitex.com) and WRAP (www.wrapapparel.org) have already committed their support. The anchor exhibitor of the Cool Zone is Shapely Shadow, a Los Angeles-based company that will showcase its FastFit™ application. FastFit™ is a 3D imaging technology that facilitates a cost effective way of communicating product information throughout the supply chain. Rotating 3D samples can be attached to an email. Visitors to the Cool Zone can experience the product and will be given their own personal FastFit™ computer file.

Tukatech will show its e-fit Simulator. The e-fit Simulator is a 3D system with a built-in motion simulator for fit development and fit verification. It also has color tension mapping, X-Ray vision and other features that allow results that are identical to traditional fit sessions, but without the need to create physical samples. In addition, Tukatech will show how e-fit Simulator can send files to an iPhone™ for viewing.

Lectra’s Kaledo 3D Trend product will demonstrate how animated storyboards can be created in 3D. This technology allows designers to create and animate trend boards by composing a collection environment in three dimensions and adjusting styles and designs with other multimedia components such as sound or video.

 [TC]2 will demonstrate how personal avatars become truly personal when they are created using 3D body scanning technology. Avatars can also be used by brands and retailers to predict consumer acceptance to styles that are launched in virtual communities, such as Second Life (www.secondlife.com), prior to launching them in the real world. These avatars will also integrate with the technologies showcased by Tukatech and Lectra.

Dr. Mike Fralix, President and CEO of [TC]2 (www.tc2.com), stated that “The overriding principal driving the Cool Zone is the movement to totally digital product supply chains. Such supply chains recognize that products must be created digitally and not converted to physical products until they have been distributed as close as possible to where the ultimate consumption will take place.”

Dave Gardner, Managing Director of SPESA (www.spesa.org), stated that “With SPESA working closely with [TC]2, we are able to develop educational conferences and exhibit events that address the technological challenges of an ever-changing global marketplace. The Cool Zone will offer attendees at Colombiatex the opportunity to witness the advantages that 3D product development can offer their companies.

About [TC]²

Based in Cary, North Carolina USA, [TC]² drives the future of the global apparel, soft goods, and sewn products industries with research and consulting products and services focused on technology development and supply chain improvement. TC]² operates a short-cycle apparel and related sewn products production facility that serves as a demonstration center for leading edge technologies and a research facility for emerging technologies and business processes in the industry.

About SPESA

Based in Raleigh, North Carolina USA, SPESA (the Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas) is the largest trade association in the Americas solely devoted to the advancement of suppliers of sewn products machinery, ancillary equipment, parts, services and technology for the sewn products industry. SPESA works for the common interests that affect companies that supply the sewn products industry and the customers they serve.

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