FINALIST 
Category : GENERAL
By FREE-D (Japan)
This is “normal clothing” created using a 3D printer. It was modeled with woven threads in a 3D software. After creating a pattern using algorithms, we realized a seamless knitting pattern (“AMIMONO” means “woven thing” in Japanese).
The product was printed using flexible TPU as its material. By weaving flexible TPU threads, we managed to produce a product that is more stretchy compared to a model made with the same size and material.
The product also has the same feel as normal fabric. Clothes printed with previous 3D printers were limited in their use, and were mostly used for display at exhibitions. However, with this new structure and manufacturing method, we managed to create clothing almost as good as for everyday use. This time, by creating a model using ordinary weaving techniques to produce ordinary-looking clothing with our extraordinary 3D printer, we sought to bring the concept of 3D printing to be something accessible to everyone.
We believe that this work by us is an example that shows how 3D printing can easily be a part of our ordinary lives.
http://free-d.net/
We used Kinect to make a 3D scan of a dress. Then we modeled the structure using Rhinoceros and Grasshopper, then we printed with TPU material using the 3D printer at EOS.
Yukiko Shikata
Yukiko Shikata
The act of knitting is to systematically entwine wool or threads to create something, but AMIMONO is actually a knitted piece that is printed, not knitted. The software creates a model of the knitted structure, and the products that are 3D printed do not require the time and processes inherent in the act of knitting. It is worth noting that Fab now reaches to the mainstream, and it is now being used to create our everyday clothes. I hope to see materials that boasts qualities more advanced that those of cloth such as enhanced stretchability, but I also imagine that moving forward there are a few issues that need to be addressed as well such as such as comfort, mobility, how to take care of the materials, durability, and cost. I am really looking forward to seeing where this goes from here.
