The application of new technologies in fashion and implementation of additive manufacturing in the apparel industry

• Autor(a) principal: Marques, Susana Cristina Gomes
• Data de Publicação: 2019
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.6/10149
• topic: Design; Impressão 3d; Manufatura Aditiva; Moda; Têxteis; Domínio/Área Científica::Engenharia e Tecnologia::Design de Moda

The most diverse sectors were influenced by the democratisation of 3D printers. This is why fashion designers try to apply 3D printing to their creations and look for a viable way to implement the technique. The adoption of 3D printing on apparel not only brings new advantages but also changes the entire manufacture of the product and the design development, as well as the relationship with the consumer. The application of fashionable printing is still very much focused on accessories and footwear, yet to bring innovation. There is still a need to launch new materials and introduce more technologies, representing what many see as part of the fourth industrial revolution in the context of fashion, where smart or wearable textiles win more and more space in the market, and prosumers increase every day. While the introduction of this technique in the fashion industry is recent compared to the traditional methods of garment manufacturing, there has been significant progress and a growing number of enthusiastic designers who try to develop this type of product. However, while there are many materials designed for printing and designers to develop their parts, there is a recurring problem that translates into the rigidity of the components obtained and, consequently, the lack of comfort and usability. That is why 3D printing has developed more rapidly in the accessory industry (jewellery, bags ...). After extensive research on additive manufacturing technologies and its application in the fashion industry, it was possible to verify that footwear, jewellery, and other accessories were the ones that had better adherence. It was also observed that in the clothing sector the technology is still very much linked to conceptual fashion and that there are several obstacles to the implementation of the technique. It is also clear that there is a long way to go about the feasibility of solutions for the manufacture and the need to find means that allow more flexible and comfortable parts of good quality and with ample movement. It is necessary to have a material innovation that enables the creation of pieces in which comfort, mobility, and flexibility are prioritised since designers do not prioritise only the aesthetic appeal, but also the function and usability of the object. My project aims to address precisely the application of fashionable additive manufacturing and get a new approach on the materials used, the forms and machines for creating textiles and then clothing, to make the daily life of these pieces more viable.