automation-conveyor belts with robots doing the same task over and over," says Lefebvre. "While there are industries, like marine canvas, that do require some special tools to account for how custom their work can be, many companies make custom sizes of similar products-like cushions, covers, awnings, etc." The right software tools are one way to blend customization and automation. Palmer recently visited an Autometrix customer who makes custom covers and has a library of thousands of patterns. That company has built a system that allows it to start with a base pattern and quickly adjust the details for a specific customer. "They're able to nest and cut in a matter of minutes because the majority of their pattern design is already done," Palmer Matic's M1 line of cutting machines offers speed and precision to provide perfectly square cuts and increased production capacity-key performance qualities for manufacturers pursuing steady growth. Photo: Matic S.A. www.SpecialtyFabricsReview.com 33https://lp.e2techtextiles.com http://www.SpecialtyFabricsReview.com