【3D Printing in Fashion】Textile Technology Rises, Leading Engineering Structures!
In recent times, rapid prototyping has been changing the way engineers and designers innovate. Interestingly, the textile industry is emerging as a dark horse, catching up with Industry 4.0 to create new structural designs. For nearly five millennia, the fundamentals of architecture have not changed much, but a revolution began with rapid prototyping and 3D printing. To adapt to ever-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 thread, with all technologies striving to break physical limitations and develop new structures faster and cheaper with fewer materials. Even in 3D printing, some technologies have geometric limitations. Common FDM and SLA resin technologies require support structures. Fortunately, auxiliary materials like PVA water-soluble supports are a convenient option.
SLS laser powder sintering technology, by stacking powder, does not require support materials to 3D print hollow structures, making it suitable for designing prototypes of new structures. Textiles usually emphasize durability, such as strength and elasticity requirements. Compared to FDM or SLA resin technologies, SLS technology is more suitable for fashion development, especially for textiles with special structures or mixed materials.
New Structures in Engineering Design
Because it doesn't require support structures, SLS offers more flexible forming structures, allowing for 3D printing of knitwear and woven materials, a trend that began with designers. For example, hexagonal structures can bend and deform under pressure. When combined with flexible materials, this allows fabrics to move beyond 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 the automotive industry, interior design, or even parts of stage sets. 
Application in Artistic Garments
We previously shared about "Farewell My Concubine", which used 3D printing to create innovative costumes. These costumes had to conform to the artist's designed shapes and allow performers to move freely, with the costumes being an indispensable part of the storytelling. Normal fabrics (such as cotton and silk) cannot create these garments because 3D printing can provide different physical textures for geometric shapes. " 3D printing is a medium that can merge different elements, such as digital technology and traditional craftsmanship, combining traditional opera with modern performance, and Eastern with Western culture," emphasized Lin Ming-ching. 
More New Choices
Sinterit Lisa's Flexa Black is soft and flexible enough for wearable applications, while the material maintains a form that resonates with traditional clothing. In "Farewell My Concubine", the choice of black Flexa Black 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, like Flexa Soft, have the lowest hardness and are suitable for sensory fabrics and sportswear prototypes.
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