November 5, 1998
JADE AND ANI-MOTION DEVELOP
FIBER OPTIC MACHINERY THAT
LIGHTS UP THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY

High Fashion and High Technology Converge to Create Innovative Garments

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, PA. –

The JADE Corporation, a long-time provider of innovative manufacturing solutions, has designed and implemented the first automated machine capable of adhering fiber optic threads onto fabric to produce "three-dimensional" animated designs. The machine complements a design process developed by ANI-Motion, an innovative company that is changing the definition of "evening wear".

Nominated for Best Startup Company of the Year by the Philadelphia Business Journal, Technology Council of Eastern Pennsylvania and other sponsors, ANI-Motion developed the process that integrates fiber optic technology with high fashion to produce decorative clothes that light up and brighten any crowd. ANI-Motion’s patented process includes designing and fusing fiber optic threads onto fabric to create coats, hats, banners or other fabric-based articles that display three-dimensional animated graphics.

Using the patented process, JADE designed and built the machine that automates ANI-Motion’s manufacturing method and strengthens the conceptual model. The embroidery-like machine will enable ANI-Motion to produce high volumes of top-notch illuminating fashion statements.

To create the animated designs, interface software developed jointly by JADE and ANI-Motion is used in conjunction with the JADE machine to manage the pre-programmed patterns. The machine aligns the fiber optic threads according to the pattern, inserting the threads into the fabric. The ends of the fibers are then dipped into adhesive, positioned back into the fabric, cured using UV light and cut to the desired length.

"The high speed process of handling fiber - whether it is thread or wire - is an area of expertise for JADE," said Jim Press, Manufacturing Engineer for JADE. "We combined our experience of handling suture machines, cable de-reelers, and other high-performance wires to develop this high quality, innovative process."

To improve the quality and speed of ANI-Motion’s patented method, JADE created a sort and positioning process for the fiber optic threads. The fibers used to create the designs are sorted for connection to Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that illuminate the garment. A single design can have as many as 3,500 precisely placed fibers to create the animated effect.

The JADE machine will enable ANI-Motion to enter the commercial clothing market with a higher quality, higher volume production. The machine produces a consistent quality when fusing the fiber optics and fabric, ensuring the quality and look of the fabric both when it is lit and when it is not.

"Prior to using the automated machine, it could take as many as two to three weeks for us to complete one panel," said Jack Pfunder, President of ANI-Motion. "Using the machine developed by JADE, we can now complete a panel in as little as two to three hours."

ANI-Motion has been using the machine for more than three months and plans to purchase additional machines to expand its operation and production. "JADE’s experience in custom solutions for machine engineering represents the kind of inventive track record we were looking for to develop the manufacturing model for our exciting new line of products," added Pfunder. "JADE’s expertise will truly enable us to light up the crowd."

For more information on ANI-Motion, or to learn how to order the exciting new animated products, visit them on the web at www.animot.com.