News

Humans and Computers Compete in Marker Making Contest

Gerber"s AccuNest Proves Automated Marker Making Superior to Manual in Speed and Material Utilization

April 18, 2011

GUANGDONG, China, Apr. 18, 2011 – Gerber Technology recently sponsored a marker making competition between skilled marker makers and Gerber’s AccuNest™ automated nesting software. Material utilization of markers created by AccuNest was 5.5 percent better on average than markers created manually by humans. Gerber Technology, a business unit of Gerber Scientific, Inc (NYSE:GRB), is a leading provider of automated CAD/CAM and PLM solutions for the apparel and flexible materials industry.

Competitors used Gerber’s AccuMark® pattern design, grading and marker making software to create markers with optimal material utilization within a fixed amount of time. At the same time, Gerber’s AccuNest software used the same pattern pieces to generate its markers. Contest results showed that, in addition to significantly better material utilization, AccuNest created an optimized marker in 3-5 minutes compared to 10-15 minutes needed for humans to produce the best results.

AccuNest software creates efficient markers automatically by analyzing multiple markers and selecting the one with the best material utilization. It is easy to operate and saves companies considerable time and money in the generation of sample, costing and production markers. The software creates markers 24 hours a day even running unattended overnight to satisfy peak demands with no additional labor expense.

AccuNest also proved to be 0.76 percent better than even the best manually made marker.

Patrick Chan, vice chairman of the Garment Fashion Practitioners’ Association, noted, “In the real world, not every company is fortunate enough to have the most highly-skilled marker makers on staff. For those companies, it is most cost effective and efficient to use AccuNest automating nesting software.”

Forty-six individuals took part in the competition that consisted of five preliminary matches and a final match to determine winners. All contestants had between three and nine years of experience as skilled marker makers. First, second and third place winners respectively were Mr. Luo Yibin from Yishion Group, Ms. Lai Shidi from Sheng Yang Trade Company, and Mr. Wen Yucai from Zhongshan Yida (Crystal Group) Apparel Co., Ltd.

The competition, organized by Paper Communication Exhibition Service Company, was held at the Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center in Houjie Dongguan March 28-31. The marker making competition has been a highlight of the show since 2007 and provides a platform for marker makers to learn from each other and improve their skills.



About Gerber Technology

Gerber Technology (www.gerbertechnology.com) is comprised of four businesses that serve distinct market segments. These include the Composites and Automation Solutions group which serves aerospace, fabrication and construction markets with ply cutting, laser templating and laser metrology solutions; the Global Software Solutions business which offers the world's leading product lifecycle management (PLM), product data management (PDM) and CAD automation solutions for the retail, footwear and apparel businesses; the Sewn Products Solutions business which provides textile cutting and spreading systems to apparel and flexible materials manufacturers in all regions of the world; and Gerber Innovations, North America’s only full-line manufacturer of automated cutting hardware for the packaging industry. In all markets, Gerber’s solutions significantly improve productivity and reduce costs.

Gerber Technology’s world headquarters are located in Tolland, Connecticut, U.S.A. with regional offices, agents and distributors in 129 countries serving nearly 23,000 customers. The company designs and manufactures its products in various locations throughout North America, Europe and Asia. For more information about Gerber Technology, visit us on Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Established in 1968, Gerber Technology is one of three business units of $458 million Gerber Scientific, Inc. (www.gerberscientific.com) of Tolland, Connecticut. Gerber Scientific is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the “GRB” symbol.