Computer simulation aids for the intelligent manufacture of quality clothing

The exploitation of ‘‘intelligent’’ factory set-ups could enhance the competitiveness of the EU textile and clothing industries, by enabling collaborative design-and-manufacture options, while achieving economies of scope with effective exploitation of (strategic/tactical/execution) flexibility. Simulation turns to be reference aid for developing and acknowledging the appropriate set-ups and the adaptive-schedules. The investigation, besides of reference concepts, summarises a case example, for explanatory purpose. Combined-mode schedules are considered, showing the benefits for prompt returns and leaving open middle/long horizons issues, still with quantitative checks on alternatives provided by virtual reality tests. # 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.