Global Fashion Thinker
The art of 3D printing technology has taken over the fashion industry and primarily through the manufacturing of clothing. Although this technology has been in existence since the 1970s, its uptake in the fashion world is a rapidly taking shape through the creation of smart clothing and textiles. The production of wearable smart clothing and 3D printing has allowed the creation of objects that are integrated through computerized control and these designs are formed by joining of layers over layers thereby offering firm clothing. The 3D printing technology in the fashion industry uses both the additive manufacturing and prototyping processes. The functioning of a printing machine is the same one that manufacturing of 3D clothes follows, as long as there is the identification of the design, then a binder material is inserted beneath, and layer after layer is laid onto each other giving a 3D object.
The benefits of 3D printing technology in the fashion industry is not yet realized yet its potential is huge and can present mass production of garments. Although the benefit is the mass production, the 3D printed clothing is not flexible as the material in the production is polylactic acid which is synthetic fiber. Moreover, the material is not comfortable enough for wearing in the fashion industry as the printing process give a solid structure that prevents it from being breathable due to the restriction from of air passage unlike conventional fibers. Due to these challenges, the uptake of wearable technology is still in its conceptual stages and designers believe that the combination of 3D orienting should integrate the conventional materials. In this case, the printing parameters should integrate adhesion, and fine-tuning of the process should begin with conventional materials to determine its viability and use of panels to give the desired outcome.
According to designers, the 3D printing of fabric and production of garments need to incorporate geometry and have sound waves in its structure, and the use of rubber mesh would give the dress flexibility and paces that are essential for passage of air. The presence of these structures will also allow the fabric to stretch and bounce back depending on the fashion model’s body shape. This implies that the smart wearable dress that results from 3D printing can compress and the changes its configurations depending on the activity of the individual, be it in a sitting or standing position, the material should spring out. The most significant advantage to smart wearable technology in the fashion industry is its ability to reduce luggage, unlike conventional garment which requires a fashion model to carry huge tones of clothing. Moreover, designers argue that wearable technology is the future of the fashion industry as a garment can be printed within the shortest time possible as it requires minimal space.
Also, the 3D printing offers flexibility in the industry that is currently lacking but presents the challenge of comfortability due to the inability to stretch. For instance, the garments can be printed even in a living room or a hotel, and it can also be shared from one designer to another, but the material rigidness prevents it from stretching and giving comfort to the wearer. For instance, the wearable technology allows a designer to print a garment of their own choice at the desired moment, unlike conventional fashion. Therefore, it is clear to state that wearable technology is yet to make changes in the fashion industry, as it requires refinement to ensure comfort as its flexibility is present. As for the resemblance, the 3D printed garment looks like feathers that stick to the body, which implies that there is still potentiality that needs to be tapped and refined to eliminate the flaws.
Regarding the thermoregulation ability of the textiles, it is clear that the garments are made of nano-fibers and the combination with other fabrics allows the cooling effect. Researchers also confirmed that the nanofibers have a high thermal conductivity, which allows the passage of air at ease. Therefore, the use of wearable technology in the fashion industry is a potentiality that can be explored through the integration of design with conventional material and understanding of its design elements well as drape ability to enhance its breathing effect. Since the 3D textile cannot undergo sewing as traditional materials, it is essential for designers to understand its strength and use it to their benefit. Also, the creation of the 3D fibers entails melting components that could be combined with panels to give it structure since its manufacturing is very different from traditional material.
Ultimately, 3D printing is costly, and this translates in expensive garments and textiles, which limited the production of samples and clothing that is viable for mass production and commercially acceptable. In the future, the fashion industry needs to research on ways of integrating technology into the initial stages of wearable clothing as it could be the solution for fashion retailers and models. Also, there is a need to eliminate the challenges that the wearable technology presents in the fashion industry by identifying the appropriate materials that stretch, offers comfort and is affordable for the market.