Abstract

3D printing can revolutionize textile engineering and fashion design by introducing new possibilities for customization, rapid prototyping, and the creation of complex designs in a similar manner that it revolutionised other forms of manufacturing. Today Various 3D printing technologies exist ranging in terms of material, printing quality and printing method. In textile engineering, several challenges exist regarding the utilisation of 3D printing technology since fabrics by design require a different weaving process than the one supported out of the box by existing 3D printing technologies. In this review paper, we outline the possibilities that 3D printing technology has brought to the textile manufacturing and textile design industry.

Keywords:3D printing; Textile manufacturing; Textile design

Abbreviations: 3D: Three Dimensional; FDM: Fused Deposition Modeling; SLA: Stereolithography; SLS: Selective Laser Sintering; DLP: Digital Light Processing; DMLS: Direct Metal Laser Sintering; EBM: Electron Beam Melting; MJP: MultiJet Printing