Under the concept of Maker Movement, apparel researchers and designers are exploring the potentials of three-dimensional printing (3DP) and seeking ways to take the advantages of 3DP and apply it to wearable products.
This design case study aimed to integrate 3DP textiles in a beach vest to allow new properties and functions to emerge with aesthetics, and explore the properties of 3D textiles by manipulating the structure of TPU materials using the FDM 3DP method.
The hybrid 3DP textile was developed by mimicking and integrating the structures of traditional woven and knitted fabrics, tried to take advantages of both fabrics.
The final 3DP textile structure evaluations suggested some expected properties (e.g., flexible, strong), while revealed new properties (e.g., porous, cushioning). Further, the specialty 3D printed TPU material was unique in its resilient and flexible properties, and fit the functions of the man’s beach vest design
