- Cost Reduction
Issues around sustainability
effective use of raw materials
recyclability & regeneration ( to meet legislation)
cradle to cradle thinking
Speed & Efficiency
quick response
reduction of inventory
Customization & individuality
new ways of manufacturing
variety of functions
Political change
trade agreements & embargoes
- Synthetic fibers
Can be warp knitted or woven in 2mm to 50mm thicknesses
The central pile layer consists of counties threads which contribute to the elasticity & flexibility of the spacer fabric besides the distance held between the covering layers
Uses synthetic fibers, which can differ on each face and the filling depending on required function & end use glass fibre is used in the construction area
Water-resistant, anti-bacterial treatments and fire-retardant properties can be added ventilation air circulation & moisture control is good
Widely used in shoes, sports bags, cushioning clothing, seating, baby cushions, car sear covers, mattress pads, bedding, and other medical and protective product
Good durability so can be used ouside
- 3D Spacer Knit Fabrics
The first football boot to have an upper layer knitted from heel to toe with one single thread. as a bespoke second skin
Made for an individual. incorporating personal fit & requirements whilst restaining essential strength & durability
Additional coatings add weatherproofing
Cutting waste is eliminated & sewing time reduced
These lightweight and breathable pressure relieving cushions are made from 3D knitted spacer fabrics
The cushions are said to distribute weight and allow maximum airflow, which provides benefits to the skin and retains a healthy skin tone, helping blood flow for people sitting in one position for long periods of time
The cushions specifically target wheelchair users, people sitting in front of the computer all day long and taxi drivers
Designed with the focus on health and comfort, the range is said to be non-allergenic and provide contamination resistance and odor
- 3D Spacer Woven Fabric
Woven spacer fabrics are mainly used in the construction or automotive industries and are produced using glass fibre or robust synthetics such as Kevlar
The internally created spaces can be used to carry other substances or materials such as wiring or conduits
- Growing Fabrics
An alternative to exploiting petro-chemicals or plants as a raw material for textile products
BioCouture work investigates the use of microbes to grow a textile/leather type bio material
Fermenting bacteria form a dense layer, a flexible cellulose mat that can then be harvested
The aim is to produce an entire piece to fit a personalized form
Takes dye easily & can be printed
Safe to compost
- Rapid Prototyping/3D Print
3D printing technology is emerging at such a fast pace that people are now asking the question - what can't you make with 3D printing rather than what can you make?
The technology is being used to produce anything ranging from body parts to catwalk fashion. However, questions still remain about the range of materials which can be processed, production speeds and in the case of textiles substitution can the desired properties be achieved?
Can 3D printing technology be used to produce durable products, which have similar or better properties than currently available textiles?
Can the technology be used to produce cheaper garments assuming the product can be produced seamlessly in one piece - eliminating the need for cutting and sewing?
Can garments really be produced at any location due to the fact that there is no longer the need to cut and sew in low labour cost centres?
- Rapid Prototyping
Pringle have worked with scientist Richard Beckett to integrate flexible 3D printed nylon fabrics with conventionally produced knitted textiles, to create area of tactile texture or raised patterning used in combination with regular woven and knitted textiles.
- 3D Felting
This recent development from Disney 3D prints wool into a given shape. The felting printer prints layer upon layer of a material (in this case wool yarn) until a final object is completed
The aim is to create 3D print items which are soft to the touch
Instead of extruding melted plastic filament, layer by layer, it uses yarn, which is then driven down into the layers beneath it, creating and attachment via entanglement needle punching
electronic components could be printed within
Researchers are now working on ways to integrate hard materials, within and attached to the soft felt-like material being printed.
No comments:
Post a Comment