Digital printing Megan Flanagan
3D Printing •
3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the entire object is created. Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced horizontal cross-section of the eventual object. 3D printing turns computer models into real physical things. It takes different materials,plastic to Nylon, melts it into thin layers onto a surface, moves up and prints another layer. After layer upon layer, you are left with a physical object. Three-dimensional printing has been widely used in industrial contexts for more than two decades. It is only recently, however, that 3-D printing has captured the public eye.
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Before printing a 3-D object, you must first produce a three-dimensional image of the item you want to print by using a computerassisted design ("CAD") software application.
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The only negative about 3D printing is the cost it is very expensive
Iris van Herpen • The most eye-catching prints in fashion aren't florals or leopardskin but printouts. Fantastical 3D-printed designs created by a pulsed laser that layers powdered rubbers or metals into a shape calculated by computers. These creations, by Dutch designer Iris van Herpen, are the first created with 3D printing to grace the catwalk. They're loved by the likes of Lady Gaga and Bjork, but have implications for your wardrobe too. While this manufacturing technique – originally developed for engineers – has history in jewellery and shoe design, the possibilities for the clothing industry are tantalising. It could revolutionise garment sizing and product development in mass production. It could also allow startup labels to produce small orders to avoid unsold stock, and allow easy customisation. • All this is possible, but for now 3D-printing fashion has pragmatic problems to address. Though van Herpen's collection featured a printable fabric that is flexible, durable and can even be bunged in the washing machine, most items produced with this technique are unforgivingly stiff synthetics. Great for Gaga's stage show, not so practical for the school run. Printing costs are also still prohibitively high
Catherine Wales • Catherine Wales has produced a collection of 3D-printed accessories that can be custom-designed to fit any body shape and printed on demand. This week, two designs from her debut collection. • Catherine has made a eight piece collection digitally fabricated accessories and artefacts, inspired by the visual structure of human chromosomes and produced using white nylon The standouts are a headpiece with gilded horns (above), a feathered shoulder piece (left), and a “scaffolded” corset, featuring individual ball and socket components which wearers can assemble themselves, like Lego. 3D printing has long been used for rapid prototyping across a number of industries. But as printing systems become better and cheaper, the process is increasingly being employed for the direct digital production of finished products in materials ranging from plastic, rubber and metal to ceramic and nylon.
Customised Printing • Customised printing means personalized with regard to shape, print and size. A customized product would imply the modification of some of its characteristics according to the customers requirements. Personalised printing enables you to tailor each printed item to match the likes and tastes of each customer. A lot of companies do customised clothing or shoes for example nike do customised shoes. It brings more customers in because the shoes are unique they are personalized so it makes the customer feel special always not many people will have them the only bad thing is that the product can be expensive also there is limited pattern on the product. Also you can customise your own clothes which is really good because then you no that no one will have what you have customised because it will be a one of a kind aslo you can change the style or print you do .
Laser cutting Laser cut has become a buzzword in the world of industrial design and fashion. Many contemporary objects from computers to clothing have been touched by the process, and its popularity continues to grow the more we discover about it’s potential. The term is exactly what it sounds like, using a laser rather than a blade to cut into a surface. The benefits include a cleaner, accurate cut, as well as a higher quality of finish. • Key benefits laser cutting fabric • Test samples – No minimum orders. • Repeatability – Produce high volumes of same design identically. • Laser beam seals edge, eliminating fraying. • Synthetic laser cut fabric marks with minimal burn marks. • Large format machines 2400mm x 1200mm. • Rolls can also be accommodated. • You can send us files in vector format… • Or use the drawing and scanning service. We’ll make you laser ready files.
3d Body sCanner •
This paper presents an overview of 3D body scanning technologies with applications to the fashion and apparel industry. Complete systems for the digitization of the human body exist since more than fifteen years. One of the main users of this technology with application in the textile field was the military industry. In fact, body scanning technology is being successfully employed since many years in military bases for a fast selection of the correct size of uniforms for the entire staff .
Advantages Fast Indicates a device that operates is a rather quick way. Accurate Technology or tool is producing high precision results Coverage Subject can be fully clothed 140-200 cm subject body height Minimal setup The system configuration is simple Easy calibration Non-contact Scanning/Measuring without physical contact to the object.
Disadvantages Should not wear clothes Subject should wear no or less clothes for accurate scanning Heavy The equipment could not be carried by a single person
Cad
Computer-aided design (CAD) is a computer technology that designs a product and documents the design's process. CAD may facilitate the manufacturing process by transferring detailed diagrams of a product’s materials, processes, tolerances and dimensions with specific conventions for the product in question. It can be used to produce either two-dimensional or three-dimensional diagrams, which can then when rotated to be viewed from any angle, even from the inside looking out. A special printer or plotter is usually required for printing professional design renderings.
Disadvantages:
If computer problem, all data will be lost If not checked properly, the object created can go very wrong Advantages: Can be very expensive Can be hard to do and handling needs training Can be easily erased and changed Since not manual, can be slightly irritating because if not familiar Can be zoomed in for more detailed sections with technology, it is very hard to insure exactly what is wanted by Can be copied and pasted many times the designer e.g. If wanted something engraved instead of cut, the Depending on skill, can be neater line colour has to be changed into blue instead of red. Can be quicker Sometimes you can't do everything you want to because the tools Can be sent to elsewhere quickly aren't available Can be stored in a safe place Lots of people lost their jobs when CAD CAM originally came out Can be checked for measurements by the computer Can easily mass produce identical products Can work throughout the night so can produce product 24 hours a day