Gerber, Alvanon Team up on 3D Design

By Sourcing Journal

After adding 2D-to-3D integration in February, Gerber Technology announced Thursday it will be taking its fashion technology further thanks to a new collaboration with Alvanon.

The new partnership will allow Gerber’s AccuMark 3D users to leverage the Alvanon Body Platform. Fashion brands, retailers and manufacturers will be able to access Alvanon’s library of more than 6,000 3D virtual bodies—each representing a specific brands’ fit standards—and download the 3D avatars for AccuMark 3D, use it to test patterns in all sizes, and validate fit. Alvanon’s library offers both standard (ASTM) and brand-specific avatars.

“We know how difficult it is for fashion and apparel companies right now as they navigate through the pandemic,” Mary McFadden, vice president of CAD Product Management, said in a statement. “Digital transformation is now inevitable for companies who want to succeed in the next era and our collaboration with Alvanon will give them the tools they need to fully transform product development.”

The 3D team-up arrives at a time when many fashion companies have had to shut down their brick-and-mortar locations, adjust to working remotely and rely on e-commerce for a large portion of their sales. According to Gerber, through this collaboration, “fashion companies will be able to develop perfectly-fitting garments that accurately reflect the sizes and body shape of their customer base, resulting in less returns and more satisfied customers.”

“We have an opportunity today, with the technology and tools available to us, to build a new future for the apparel industry,” said Jason Wang, COO of Alvanon. “One where the digital and physical are closely connected and work together.”

Gerber plans to demonstrate the collaboration at the company’s annual technology conference Ideation—scheduled for Nov. 4-6—where it will also unveil the Gerber Atria Digital Cutter. The digital cutting room leverages Industry 4.0 and IoT technologies to seamlessly integrate with Gerber’s pattern design, cut planning and nesting solutions, which connects the entire mass production process from CAD to the cut room.

This article was originally published in Sourcing Journal November 3, 2020, based on information from an Alvanon press release. Alvanon and Gerber Technology are both SPESA members.

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