Digital Interlooping

This research explores the materialisation of 3D printed ‘textiles’ that make use of knit’s primary structures to create seamless textile forms. The 3D printed forms utilise both single-face and double-face weft knit structures. 3D printing is a form of digital additive manufacturing whereby the building up of layers of material creates objects. The selective laser sintering process (SLS) uses a laser beam to sinter powdered material to create objects. This research builds upon previous research into 3D printed textile based structures exploring the use of SLS of nylon powder to create flexible weft knitted structures. The results show the potential to print flexible, seamless, tubular textile based structures at small scale that exhibit the properties of traditional knitted textile structures along with the mechanical properties of the material used to print with.

Twist knit detail

Twist tubular knit

Pre-formed tubular knit

Tubular knits