Chiara Giusti, an Italian based fashion designer has partnered with Superforma Fablab. The designer has partnered with a digital 3D printing manufacturing laboratory specialist to create a 3D printed apparel line called TECHNĒ. The collection was a part of her final university project at Politecnico di Milano.

The designer utilized Superforma’s Delta WASP 3MT Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printer to sublimate Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) at high temperatures directly onto stretched textiles to create unique three-dimensional textures and geometries.

Giusti stated that the 3D printed fabrics had the potential to enter the global fashion market in the near future however, designers should fuse their knowledge with science and engineering to further explore their sector. She believes that this would help stabilize the machines to obtain ergonomic products for the end-user.

To create TECHNĒ, the designer had to study the method of 3D printing with tension-activated textiles. The 3D printed materials previously experimented within the fashion space were mostly rigid in nature, this prompted the designer to use FDM machines to print directly onto apparel.

Giusti stated that the combination of polymeric structures and fabric allowed customization and experimentation of new texture while ensuring comfort. The designer studied various methods to arrive at the final results to ensure maximum sustainability. The designer chose to go with 3D printed garments overstretched textiles as the material does not need the same amount of cuts, seams, and darts when compared to everyday clothing. This ensures minimum waste and carries forward the process in a low energy and material consumption manner, as only one layer has to be deposited on the fabric. 

The designer has taken the project a step further to promote sustainability by applying zero-waste techniques to her designs. To make the fabric a reality she had to experiment with a range of materials from FilaFlex Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) to Polylactic Acid (PLA). The collection towards the end featured Laripur TPU as it was recyclable plastic with a chemical structure that could manipulate materials into being soft and rigid. 

The SuperForma’s Delta WASP 3MT FDM machine ensured the printing parameters to carry on smoothly with different materials.