Scan to Knit - From Body Scan Directly to the Knitting Machine

In this work, we describe an integrated solution to manufacture individualized made-to-measure (MtM) garments based on 3D body scanning by means of automatic data transmission from scanner to the flat knitting machine. The underlying process automatization reduces the complexity of the production of individualized lot-size-one garments. The process consists of two main steps: from scan to garment order files and from garment order files to Jacquard patterns and subsequent knitting process. Initially, a person is scanned with a 3D body scanner and body measures are extracted by the scanning software. After uploading the obtained body measures, the best fitting size is automatically suggested from size charts and corresponding fit rules for the selected garment type. The MtM Plugin of the scanning software is responsible for evaluating individual alteration rules of selected measures for the best fit. The resulting order file thus contains references to the garment piece file in the size chart database, the basic size and the alteration values. The second step comprises the algorithmic interpretation of 2D garment pieces and subsequent generation of Jacquard patterns. In addition to the piece file, information such as the material parameters is provided to the algorithm. The procedure starts with sampling of the garment piece according to the stitch construction, followed by piece manipulation to insure knitability. The resulting Jacquard pattern can be produced immediately by an appropriately configured flat knitting machine.