For anyone in the 3D printing industry, the American-Israeli company Stratasys should be well known. Having been one of the pioneering manufacturers since its founding in 1989, Stratasys has already produced a variety of different types of 3D printing devices, covering almost every conceivable area in the AM universe. With its latest model, the J850 TechStyle 3D printer, the company is exploring uncharted territory, which is 3D printing on fabric parts for the high-end fashion industry. Claiming to be the first of its kind in the entire industry, the Polyjet 3D printer was designed to meet the often unique demands of fashion and design manufacturers, enabling 3D printing for premium textiles and apparel, as well as bags and accessories and even footwear.
When we hear the term haute couture, we usually associate it with brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton or Versace. However, for an additive manufacturing company like Stratasys to link to the term is a complete first in that industry. Thanks to the Polyjet J850, designers will be able to print 3D algorithms on textiles for the first time. Plus, fashion makers will be able to choose from a variety of colors to let their imagination run wild. The J850 paves the way for the future use of additive manufacturing in the world of fashion, allowing a first look at the many possible benefits the technologies offer.
Will the J850 TechStyle be revolutionary for the world of fashion? (photo credits: Stratasys)
Stratasys Art, Design and Fashion Director Naomi Kaempfer explains: “Back in 2019, I predicted that in just a couple of years we would see 3D printing incorporated into high-end fashion houses. That time is here. We learned and modified those early designs, and created a new dedicated printer using the 3DFashion technology that is enabling Fashion designers to create without limits. This is just the beginning of the journey as we continue to develop this technology and pioneer new Fashion design innovations.
Making fashion more sustainable
It has already been shown that the rapid consumption of clothing is a key factor in the pollution of our world. The technology company claims that through its new TechStyle the sustainable manufacturing and production of clothing is possible, as well as the reduction of unnecessary waste. Much special attention is paid to the sustainability aspect, especially as Stratasys, a founding member of the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA), also focuses on recycling used clothing and accessories by refurbishing 3D-printed items. Finally, Stratasys is also paving the way for more streamlined workflows by eliminating the need to create hours of hand-drawn drawings.
In order to guarantee the improvement and optimization of production processes, the 3D printer contains two trays, so that the second tray can already be prepared during the printing process. This ensures faster production processes as well as minimal downtime. With a total print area of 18″ x 14″ x 2″, layer thickness can be set up to 1.1″. For more information on the J850 TechStyle, click HERE.
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*Cover photo credits: Stratasys
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