Digital technologies/Textiles/3D printing on Fabric
Introduction
3D printing is so versatile that it can also be incorporated into fabric, hence bringing rise to futuristic garment features.
It has flourished in the fashion industry, and many famous brands are already making and selling 3D-printed garments.
3D printing enables you to create your own designs for your clothes and personalize them as you would like. From cosplayers' costumes to footwear to pieces of jewelry to intricate patterns for your old shirts, 3D printing can bring your creations to life.
This document will give you an overview of how to 3D print on fabrics.
It will show three examples, with different filaments used, but the technique remains fairly the same.
3D printing on fabric examples
The following figures depict the final products obtained:
Dragon Scales
Dragon scales are inevitable when you are dealing with cosplayers’ costumes.
Moreover, their whimsical look can be pleasant for fantasy fans.
As shown in the picture, you can create your own dragon scale fabrics by incorporating your fabric between your 3D printed parts.
Glow in the dark Hexagons
The hexagons form a delightful pattern which may be ideal for making pieces of jewelry.
Photochromatic Snap Buttons
Snap buttons can revolutionize the way you use buttons, which are usually sewn on your shirts.
Different types of filaments were used. You can use the material of your choice and make the necessary changes in your 3D slicer.
Filament used
The following table shows the printers used for each filament type and some of the difficulties that came up.
The printer, Flsun v400 was the first option for all three examples since it is faster and was ideal for filaments of 1.75 mm, yet one filament type did not perform well with this printer, namely the Woodfill PLA.
Printer | Filament | Slicer | Difficulties encountered |
---|---|---|---|
Colour fab Wood fill PLA (2.85 mm) | Ultimaker 2+-Nozzle 0.4 mm | Cura |
|
Glow in the dark PLA (1.75 mm) | Flsun v400 | Cura | No significant difficulties were encountered, it worked like normal PLA |
Photochromatic PLA (1.75 mm) | Flsun v400 | Cura | No significant difficulties were encountered, it worked like normal PLA |
Note: Some specialty filaments are abrasive and can severely damage the nozzle
Getting Started
Preparing your model
A 3D CAD software, such as Onshape can be used to build up your model from scratch.
Or you can find some readily available designs online on Thingiverse.
Note: The dragon scales and the hexagons were from Thingiverse.
-Dragon scales[1]
-Hexagons[2]
-Snap buttons[3]
Slicer
Now you must bring your model to your slicer.
To use the slicer:
- Download the slicer you will need for free or use one of Makerspace's computers.
- Bring your model to your slicer. Remember to save your file as STL.
Print settings
The following table shows the changes made in the print settings; all other settings were left the same.
Dragon scales | Hexagons | Snap buttons | |
---|---|---|---|
Material | Wood fill PLA colorFabb Woodfill | Generic PLA | Generic PLA |
Nozzle size | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm |
Infill pattern | Grid | Grid | Grid |
Infill density | 10 % | 10 % | 10 % |
Layer height | 0.15 mm | 0.20 mm | 0.15 mm |
Print speed | _ | 150 mm/s | 150 mm/s |
Build-plate adhesion | None | None | None |
Printing temperature | _ | 210 °C | 210 °C |
Build-plate temperature | _ | 60 °C | 60 °C |
Additionally, to facilitate the printing process after incorporating the fabric,
Go to Custom --> All in the Print settings and enable the following:
- Enable Retraction-reduces stringing,
- Z Hop when retracted-prevents nozzle from dragging along surface,
Note: For the Ultimaker printer, you may have to clean the build plate and adjust its level if your filament is not adhering to it.
- To clean: Use the cleaner available and paper towels and carefully wipe the build plate.
- To adjust level: At the Ultimaker printer go to Maintenance -> Build plate and follow the instructions given.
Calibrating the build-plate:
Calibrating the plate may be necessary when dealing with specialty filament, more information can be found on the following link.
Gathering materials:
Before starting your print, ensure that you have the following materials:
- Fabric
- Tape
- Scissors
- Ruler
After gathering your materials,
- Measure out the amount of fabric you would need and cut it out.
Note: Your fabric should be smaller than the print area.
- The fabrics used were tulle and a woven fabric.
Starting your print
Note that the printing will be in two stages.
The first stage will be before the fabric is embodied in the 3D printed part and the second stage will be after its incorporation.
- Save your model and bring it to the printer.
- Switch on the printer and do the necessary configuration depending on the material you are using.
- Begin print.
Let it print the first two layers of your model as shown below:
References
- ↑ https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3470986/files
- ↑ https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4603936/files
- ↑ https://www.instructables.com/How-to-3D-Print-Onto-Fabric/