Junke Zhao

Cybertale

3D-Printing Haute Couture: Exploring customized 3D printing techniques for garments, integrating fabrics with various materials to form complex self-forming mechanisms.

Team Member
Junke Zhao
Siyuan Zhang
Xiangping Zhang
Pingsi Dai
Duration
Jun 2022 - Jul 2022
Contribution
Clothes Design
Printing Experiment
Fabricating
Testing

Background and Concept

Emerging 3D printing technologies are forging unprecedented new types of fabrics, serving as a significant impetus for architects to engage in custom fashion design. Notably, the use of TPU flexible printing and FDM combined with fabric introduces novel possibilities for fashion silhouette and fabric texture. Many fabric printing experiments encounter failures or flaws, yet direct interaction with the fabric using hands or body allows for adjustments in its geometric structure or printing technique.

Designers strive to produce fabrics that meet predefined characteristics, but the iterative process of experimentation can also lead to entirely new ideas. Thus, design research and manufacturing experiments complement each other. The development of 3D fabrics based on computational design spans across architecture, fashion design, information technology, and automation technology. It also integrates cultural ethos, artistic sentiment, mathematical logic, and practical techniques. This development of 3D fabrics will become an intrinsic part of fashion design practices.

This project focuses on customized 3D printing techniques for garments, exploring how fabrics can effectively integrate with various materials to form complex self-forming mechanisms. It involves digital adjustment of the fabric's texture, performance, and appearance, innovating fashion design through customized processes.

3D Printed Fabric Texture Test
3D Printed Wing Structure

Design Process

Design Workflow

The team first used CLO3D for paneling and styling after conceptualizing the design. The pattern and fabric models were then imported into Rhino and parameterized using Grasshopper to create the digital model. The digital model was then sliced and printed.

Design Workflow Diagram
Workflow: Concept Design → CLO 3D → Rhino & Grasshopper → Slicing → Printing & Fabrication

Style and Layout Design

Clo3D Layout Design
Clo3D Layout Design
Pattern Design & Generation
Pattern Design & Generation

The patterns were imported into Rhino and parameterized using Grasshopper to create detailed 3D models. This allowed for precise control over the geometry and enabled parametric adjustments to the design.

Prepare for Printing

3D Mesh Preparation 1
3D Mesh Preparation 2

Printing Experiment

Various printing experiments were conducted to test different materials, patterns, and techniques. The Ender 3D printer was used to create intricate patterns on fabric substrates, exploring the possibilities of combining flexible TPU with traditional textiles.

3D Printing Process
Printed Fabric Panel
Fabric Experiment 1
Fabric Experiment 2

Design Output

Physical Prototype

The final physical prototypes were assembled on dress forms, showcasing the integration of 3D printed elements with traditional fabric construction. The geometric panels and origami-like structures demonstrate the potential of computational design in fashion.

Physical Prototype Front View
Physical Prototype Side View
Physical Prototype Side View

Rendering Display

High-quality renderings showcase the envisioned final design, combining metallic structural elements with intricate printed textures on a digital mannequin.

Render View 1
Render View 2
Render View 3