New TechStyle alignment solution boosts fashion 3D printing

3D printing company Stratasys has long been a pioneer of 3D printing in the fashion world, in fact the company became the first to launch a direct-to-textile 3D printer, the Stratasys J850 TechStyle, back in 2022. This system has enabled designers to experiment and create cutting-edge garments and accessories by printing 3D plastic structures directly onto fabric substrates. Now, Stratasys has released an extension to this solution that will make workflows easier and more efficient for designers and textile 3D printing labs.

The TechStyle Fabric Alignment Station is a new solution that facilitates the alignment of textile substrates on the 3D printer. Specifically, the new product enables designers to more accurately align 2D printed patterns with 3D designs, taking into account such features as pockets and patches, so that only the correct zones of textile are 3D printed on. The TechStyle Fabric Alignment Station also makes it possible to integrate the direct-to-textile 3D printing solution with other garment-making techniques, like embroidery, laser cutting, embossing, 2D silk printing and more.

“Today’s fashion consumers value personalization, driving demand for customizable and bespoke products, empowering them to achieve a new level of design,” commented Zehavit Reisin, Senior Vice President of Consumer Solutions at Stratasys. “This solution is transforming the creative process and production efficiency.”

Not only does the TechStyle Fabric Alignment Station make it easier to align textiles, it also minimizes the trial and error typically associated with the process, which can lead to nearly finished garments having to be scrapped, longer production times and significant material waste. By getting the alignment correct on the first try, designers can eliminate significant frustration from their workflows and significantly minimize waste (both in terms of time and materials).

Stratasys’ Stratasys J850 TechStyle platform has already been put to use for a number of creative projects. Last year, for instance, design and engineering company Italdesign employed direct-to-textile 3D printing in the development of its Climb-E concept car. Specifically, Italdesign integrated 3D printed textures and elements onto the rear horizontal backrests, taking advantage of the variety of colors and shore hardnesses that the system can print. In another use case, Atelier des Refusés leveraged Stratasys’ textile 3D printing to create a collection of funghi-inspired cushions with 3D detailing.