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Leveraging a 3D printer “defect” to create a new quasi-textile

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Re: Leveraging a 3D printer “defect” to create a new quasi-textile

#3
post #2

Hmmm, I wonder if a dual extruder printer using conductive filament in one nozzle could print flexible fabric circuit boards? Embed cabling for leds/elwire directly into the fabric?

I suspect it would be exceedingly difficult to get enough conductive materials in the mix, while also sufficiently purging to insulate between different traces/threads.

Perhaps printing an outfit entirely from conductive threads could be used to create a grounded Faraday cage suit/dress.

Re: Leveraging a 3D printer “defect” to create a new quasi-textile

#4
post #2

Hmmm, I wonder if a dual extruder printer using conductive filament in one nozzle could print flexible fabric circuit boards? Embed cabling for leds/elwire directly into the fabric?

I suspect it would be exceedingly difficult to get enough conductive materials in the mix, while also sufficiently purging to insulate between different traces/threads. Perhaps printing an outfit entirely from conductive threads could be used to create a grounded Faraday cage suit/dress.

Purging might not be a probelm with dual extruders? The "trick" that makes it possible might not work without all the filament coming out of a single extruder nozzle in a connected spiderweb though...

Re: Leveraging a 3D printer “defect” to create a new quasi-textile

#5
This is fantastic. I'm reminded of the 3D printed broom from a few years ago. I remember being blown away in a similar fashion then. This type of under extrusion can create very thin filaments, but the Gcode to generate these structures isn't easy to create with the traditional model=>slicer=>Gcode software stack.

I've been out of the loop for a couple of years though, so I'm interested to know if this has evolved much.

Re: Leveraging a 3D printer “defect” to create a new quasi-textile

#6

This is fantastic. I'm reminded of the 3D printed broom from a few years ago. I remember being blown away in a similar fashion then. This type of under extrusion can create very thin filaments, but the Gcode to generate these structures isn't easy to create with the traditional model=>slicer=>Gcode software stack. I've been out of the loop for a couple of years though, so I'm interested to know if this has evolved mu…

I think it's fair to say there have been sweeping changes.

Re: Leveraging a 3D printer “defect” to create a new quasi-textile

#7

This is fantastic. I'm reminded of the 3D printed broom from a few years ago. I remember being blown away in a similar fashion then. This type of under extrusion can create very thin filaments, but the Gcode to generate these structures isn't easy to create with the traditional model=>slicer=>Gcode software stack. I've been out of the loop for a couple of years though, so I'm interested to know if this has evolved mu…

I wrote a G-code Importer for Blender recently. Having access to the toolpaths directly lets you do some interesting things conventional slicers can't do. [link redacted]

I've been experimenting with storing extrusion multiplier info inside Blender to make weighted extrusion values based on a texture.

Re: Leveraging a 3D printer “defect” to create a new quasi-textile

#8
post #2

Hmmm, I wonder if a dual extruder printer using conductive filament in one nozzle could print flexible fabric circuit boards? Embed cabling for leds/elwire directly into the fabric?

I suspect it would be exceedingly difficult to get enough conductive materials in the mix, while also sufficiently purging to insulate between different traces/threads. Perhaps printing an outfit entirely from conductive threads could be used to create a grounded Faraday cage suit/dress.

Such conductive garments already exist in the form of fencing lamés, and other special-purpose wear which is used by electricians.

A fun fact is that whilst wearing a fencing lamé, one is generally impervious to tasers and stun guns.

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