• • • HAZARDOUS AREA EQUIPMENT • • • GORE-TEX explores the use of
AI in styling PPE of the future With the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) picking up a pace with design, planning and problem-solving, material science company W.L. Gore and Associates recently investigated its use within PPE garment design
ere, Reza Jamshidi-Azad, Garment Concept Designer at GORE-TEX Professional Fabrics, explores AI capabilities in PPE design and explains Gore’s investigations into this intriguing arena.
H
Creative concept design Within PPE design AI programmes can provide opportunities for designers, across multiple industries, to produce quick visualisations of creative concepts. Historically, this involved the time-consuming creation of mood boards/ displays, flipcharts and prototypes to visualise concepts of different types of personas and treatments for the design process. Through what is known as ‘generative design’ AI uses algorithms and cloud computing to expeditiously develop photorealistic visuals.
Analysing component use AI can review and analyse databases of technical laminates, materials, components and many other elements used in the manufacture of professional safety footwear and garments. This information can then be cross referenced with end user data to pinpoint the best materials required for specific PPE design applications. The lasting performance of different laminates and fabrics can also be predicted through AI systems which enhances quality control. Manufacturers can purchase the best components for use within very specific industries where variable safety risks need serious consideration.
Real life risk simulations The optimisation of design processes can be conducted by simulating real life working
scenarios for end users. AI facilitates and speeds up the ideation phase before multiple and vastly different creative PPE designs are created and prototype production takes place. The potential here is huge as it has the capability to drive economic and time efficiency during the design progress. Additionally, the potential for improving and increasing PPE safety standards is vast.
AI for fit improvement Experienced workwear garment and footwear designers are skilled at ensuring new prototype designs will result in correctly fitting products for end users. Badly fitting PPE can cause discomfort and compromise worker safety and protection if it is not worn correctly or not used at all. Through AI scanning, modelling technologies and data, PPE designers can review large numbers of top to toe male and female body scans. This helps them to understand and consider differences in body and foot shapes and sizing. As a result, custom fit PPE can be easily considered that is tailored to a specific end user. It can also assist in the development of size
28 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • JUNE 2025
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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