Fabric manipulation through 3D printing

Experiment

Technology

Traditional

Using UV reactive 3D printing filament and a 3D printing pen this sample explores traditional fabric manipulation techniques through the use of technology. I used a super stretch white mesh fabric as the base material and transfer printed a hexagonal repeat design and colours inspired by the honeycomb structure. This design mapped out where the 3D printing elements go. Using an embroidery hoop the mesh was stretched and secured for the 3D printing to be done using the pen. Layers were printed on the top side of the material and once complete the sample was flipped and using the pen again the designs were sealed and secured from the back. This uses the same concept as the 3D printer where the filament seeps through the holes in the mesh and bonds to itself.

Material

Experimental materials
Fiber
Plastics and resins

Craft

Printing
Textiles

General Technique

Combining
Forming and shaping
Structural modifying

Specific Technique

Firstly the print design was complete on photoshop and then transferred printed using the heat press onto the white mesh fabric. The fabric was then put into an embroidery hoop and stretched at full tension and as taught as it can be. Then using the 3D printing pen and a UV reactive filament the hexagons were outlined using a few layers to create the low relief design. After the top layer of the design was complete the sample was flipped the back and the 3D printing elements were sealed with one layer of filament securing them to the material just like how it would have been attached
with the 3D printer. Once the sample is released from the embroidery hoop the mesh bounces back to its original tension and where the 3D printing elements are hold their place manipulating and warping the surface of the materials creating an alternative method to traditional fabric manipulation and smocking techniques.

Properties & Qualities

Application

Sample Making Art

Qualities

Textured

Colour

White Green Violet

Sample Information

Date of creation

April 2021

Dimensions

Width 30cm x Height 42cm x Depth 3mm

Weight

41g

Culture & Context

This sample is inspired by bees incredible ability to see the world through UV (ultra violet) vision. They see the world in a different way to us opening the bees up to seeing hidden UV patterns on flowers and throughout nature. As well as looking at how bees see the world I also dived into the honeycomb structures that bees create in their hives. Influenced by this structure and the UV vision this piece has been 3D printed using a printing pen with a UV reactive filament meaning it emits a glowing green light in the dark when charged with UV light. The low relief embellishments focus the honeycomb structure and the hexagonal shapes seen throughout it, the colour of this piece focuses on their UV vision.

Process & Production

Firstly the process of this sample starts with the print design. This was complete on photoshop and then transferred printed using the heat press onto the white mesh fabric. The fabric was then put into an embroidery hoop and stretched at full tension and as taught as it can be. Then using the 3D printing pen and a UV reactive filament the hexagons were outlined using a few layers to create the low relief design. After the top layer of the design was complete the sample was flipped the back and the 3D printing elements were sealed with one layer of filament securing them to the material just like how it would have been attached with the 3D printer. Once the sample is
released from the embroidery hoop the mesh bounces back to its original tension and where the 3D printing elements are hold their place manipulating and warping the surface of the materials creating an alternative method to traditional fabric manipulation and smocking techniques.

Recipe Details

Print design complete on photoshop.
Printed onto the mesh using a transfer printed and heat press at 200oc for 20 seconds.
Then fabric is stretched in an embroidery hoop at full tension as tight as it can go.
Using a 3D printing pen (Intelligent 3D pen model: SL-300) the designs were draw
onto the mesh at 180oc using a UV reactive printing filament.
After the front layer of the material has been printed on with the pen the sample is
flipped and secured from the back..
When the sample is removed from the hoop it bounces back to its original shape
however the 3D printed sections hold the tension where they were printed wrapping
and manipulating the fabric.

Credits

Craft Maker

Amy Kerr (AK Textiles)

Library Contributor

National College of Art & Design Ireland

Photographer

Amy Kerr

Practitioner

Amy Kerr

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