The questions I have decided to dedicate my posts to were: whether 3D printers can actually produce textiles and if so what it means for traditional apparel manufacturing. Unfortunately, I have to admit that, overall, the results of my findings are quite disappointing. It turns out that, although 3D printers can indeed produce different types of textiles, those textiles are hardly suitable for anything but fashion world. So unless you are Lady Gaga, the chances of you wearing a 3d printed dress any time soon are quite slim.
Development of disposable panties seemed to be a breakthrough. However, after the initial excitement about the product disappeared, the company failed to make much progress. In almost every article I saw about 3D printed textiles, there were words like “a threat to traditional manufacturing”, “technology that will make a needle obsolete in no time,” etc etc. Yet, I think that the main purpose of these articles is to get people excited rather than to objectively describe the industry. After reading “Fabricated,” it was somewhat easier for me to filter the information and to lower my expectations. But maybe the main cause of my disappointment is that I am so excited about all of the possibilities of 3D printing that it makes me awfully impatient. As to traditional manufacturing, I do not think that it is threatened at all. In my opinion, it is safe for quite some time.
Although right now the results of my findings are disappointing, I do hope that 3D printed textiles keep growing and developing. Besides the fact that they bring a lot of benefits, I would really love to be able to 3D print my Pet Hugger.
On the bright note, while I was collecting information about textiles, something absolutely unbelievable happened in the world of 3D printing: a woman from Harvard found a way to 3D makeup! It’s inventions like this that give me hope. Please see the link below for more information on 3D printed makeup.
http://www.businessinsider.com/mink-3d-prints-makeup-2014-5
