Review Article
Industrial Robots in the Textile and Clothing Industry
Károly Lázár*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, December 2024
Pages:
1-9
Received:
31 July 2024
Accepted:
4 September 2024
Published:
23 September 2024
Abstract: Industrial robots play a crucial role in the era of Industry 4.0, characterized by the advancement of digitalization and automation. This development trend is strongly felt in the textile and clothing industry, too, and cannot be ignored when developing production facilities to streamline manufacturing processes. Industrial robots enable more efficient manufacturing processes, especially in repetitive and physically demanding tasks. Their aim is to serve production machines efficiently and autonomously, not to produce the product itself, but to support the production machine. This is particularly important in sectors such as the textile and clothing industry, which typically have a very high demand for labor. The article summarizes the main differences between simple mechanical machines, automated machines, and robots: simple mechanical machines require human intervention and have a fixed function, automated machines operate based on pre-programmed instructions and are moderately flexible, while robots are fully programmable, capable of adapting to changing tasks and operating autonomously, making decisions with the help of sensors. The article – based on real, working examples found on the internet, listed at the end of the article – presents the use of robots in the textile and clothing industry, which facilitate work in warehousing, yarn production, dyeing, fabric inspection, sewing, and textile cleaning. We aimed to engage textile and clothing companies by presenting these opportunities. However, the social impacts of robotization cannot be ignored. If simple manual labor is replaced by robots, people performing such work must be retrained for more productive tasks so that they do not lose their livelihoods. This imposes responsibilities on both the state and companies, which must provide retraining opportunities.
Abstract: Industrial robots play a crucial role in the era of Industry 4.0, characterized by the advancement of digitalization and automation. This development trend is strongly felt in the textile and clothing industry, too, and cannot be ignored when developing production facilities to streamline manufacturing processes. Industrial robots enable more effic...
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Research Article
Irrigation Performance of a Water Distribution System: The Case of Kigugu Irrigation Scheme-Mvomero District Morogoro Region-Tanzania
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, December 2024
Pages:
10-24
Received:
9 September 2024
Accepted:
4 October 2024
Published:
25 December 2024
Abstract: This study assessed the performance of the Kigugu Irrigation Scheme's water distribution system in Tanzania with an emphasis on its impact on crop yields. We used a combination of participatory tools and direct observation to gather comprehensive data, including weather patterns, water discharge rates, and farmer input levels. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed significant variations in water distribution across canals, with Relative Water Supply (RWS) values ranging from 0.7 to 5.9, indicating instances of both over- and under-supply. Despite these variations, satisfactory performance was demonstrated by the irrigation system, with high Water Delivery Performance Ratio (WDPR) values consistently recorded above 0.65, indicating that water demands were largely met across the system. Furthermore, the study found that equity in water distribution improved significantly during the growing season, with the equity index dropping from 0.2 to 0.1. This underscores the critical need for fair water allocation practices, particularly during low-flow periods, to ensure that all farmers receive an adequate supply. Based on these findings, several recommendations for irrigation system modifications were proposed to further improve water distribution and equity. In terms of productivity, a notable correlation between water distribution and crop yield was observed. A canal with a design discharge of 0.0228 m2/s produced a yield of 552.18 metric tonnes, demonstrating efficient water utilization. In contrast, canal SC.4-2, with a lower discharge of 0.0185 m2/s, achieved a smaller yield of 274.31 metric tonnes, further highlighting the importance of optimal water distribution for enhancing agricultural productivity. Overall, the Kigugu Irrigation Scheme maintains a reliable water supply, contributing positively to sustainable water resource management and agricultural productivity. This, in turn, supports local economic growth, enhances food security, and improves community well-being. The study’s findings provide critical insights for future improvements in irrigation management and resource allocation.
Abstract: This study assessed the performance of the Kigugu Irrigation Scheme's water distribution system in Tanzania with an emphasis on its impact on crop yields. We used a combination of participatory tools and direct observation to gather comprehensive data, including weather patterns, water discharge rates, and farmer input levels. Descriptive statistic...
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