【3D Printing Fashion】Textile Technology Rises, Leading Engineering Structures!
In recent times, rapid prototyping has been changing how engineers and designers innovate. Interestingly, the textile industry is making a surprising comeback, catching up with Industry 4.0 to create new structural designs.For nearly five millennia, the foundations of architecture haven't changed much, but a revolution began with rapid prototyping and 3D printing. To adapt to changing preferences, the textile industry has always been at the forefront of revolution, indirectly driving industrialization and 3D printing technology.
Breaking Limitations
As manufacturing flourishes, "physical structures" are the key connecting element. All technologies are striving to break physical limitations, developing new structures faster and cheaper with less material. Even in 3D printing, some techniques have geometric limitations; common FDM and SLA resin technologies require support structures. Fortunately, auxiliary materials like PVA water-soluble support are now available as convenient options.
SLS laser powder sintering technology, by stacking powder, does not require support material to 3D print hollow structures, making it suitable for designing prototypes of new structures. Textiles typically emphasize durability, such as strength and elasticity requirements. Compared to FDM or SLA resin technologies, SLS technology's forming method is more suitable for fashion design and apparel development, especially for textiles with special structures or mixed materials.
New Structures in Engineering Design
Because it doesn't require support structures, SLS's formed structures are more flexible, allowing for 3D printing of knitted and woven materials, a trend that began with designers. For example, hexagonal structures can bend and deform under pressure. When paired with flexible materials, this allows fabrics to move freely without the constraint of armor-like rigidity. Today, textile companies are using 3D printers to produce new structural fibers, from high-quality decorative fabrics to upholstery for furniture and automotive industries, interior design, or as part of stage sets. 
Applications in Artistic Apparel
We previously shared how "Farewell My Concubine" used 3D printing to create innovative costumes. These costumes had to conform to the artist's designed shape and allow performers to move freely, with the costumes being an indispensable part of storytelling.Such costumes cannot be made using ordinary fabrics (e.g., cotton and silk), because 3D printing can provide different physical textures for geometric shapes. " 3D printing is a medium that can blend different elements, such as digital technology and traditional craftsmanship, combining traditional opera with modern performance, and Eastern and Western cultures," emphasized Lin Ming-ching. 
More New Options
Sinterit Lisa uses Flexa Black, which is soft and elastic enough for wearable applications, while maintaining a form that echoes traditional clothing.For "Farewell My Concubine," the choice of Flexa Black's black color perfectly matched the performance's tone. However, for costume designers, another material, Flexa Bright, might be even more appealing, as it can be dyed in addition to its excellent strength properties. Other materials, such as Flexa Soft, have the lowest hardness and are suitable for sensory fabrics and sportswear prototypes.
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