3D Printing Revolutionizes the Fashion Industry

Is There Nothing 3D Printing Can't Do?

By Brian Hicks
Monday, August 12th, 2013

By now, you've heard about the new trend in high-tech precision manufacturing known universally as 3D printing.

One story of particular note came out of a Boeing plant in California last year. It demonstrated just how adaptable and versatile this technology — initially dubbed stereolithography — has become since its first introduction in the 1980s.The story goes something like this...

A high-volume coffeemaker in one of the plant's lounges had broken down when an internal plastic part failed from fatigue.

Upon discovery of the defective part, a plant technician commandeered one of the facility's industrial-sized 3D printers, which had been configured to produce precision metal alloy components for jet turbines. The technician quickly reprogrammed the printer, put in the parameters for the coffeemaker component, and 'printed' a new, perfect copy of the plastic original — only out of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy.

Within thirty minutes of the 3D printer going on hiatus, the coffeemaker was brewing coffee, workers were caffeinated, and the printer was back up and running, turning out micrometer-precise parts for airliner engines.

Here we have a small, perhaps insignificant example... and yet one of the most telling as far as demonstrating just how wide a spectrum of applications this technology can tackle, and with ease.
Here's another example — and this one is bigger than coffeemaker parts...

Instead of demonstrating versatility, 3D printing has now gone on to show the other component of a commercially viable technology: acceptance by mainstream consumer product manufacturers.

This is an industry that's generally not associated with cutting-edge technology. I'm talking about fashion.

The trend is growing both for the convenience of the process as well as for the styles it naturally creates.

Toronto-based Hot Pop Factory, for example, markets an entire line of 3D-printed jewelry.



Israeli fashion designer Ron Arad is now printing sunglasses. The pair pictured below sells for $150.



Athletic footwear giant New Balance prints an otherworldly series of running shoes, computer-molded to fit just one pair of feet.



And now, for the first time ever, a clothing designer has begun making the world's first fully-function, fully-wearable stereolithographic apparel.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Continuum Fashion became a pioneer of stereolithograph couture by attacking the market in a spot sure to capture attention: swimwear.

Right now, you can create your own two-piece swimsuit through their website, fit to your exact color and sizing specifications, and have it manufactured from 3D-printed nylon.

You can also order jewelry, shoes, even a dress... and have it in your hands in just several days' time.



Remember, this is the same technology that can produce airliner components out of titanium, or coffee mugs from ceramic.

It's that versatile.

Read More Here: http://www.wealthdaily.com/articles/3d-printing-revolutionizes-the-fashion-industry/4569