by: Addyshi
3D knitting itself has different definitions. The most broad would be that it is digitized knitting. You send a file into a program, and the machine knits the information. It’s the computerized version of punch cards used on manual knitting machines. The result of digitization is that you can easily create complex designs with many different yarns simultaneously. What many have found to be the biggest advantage of 3D knitting is that it lowers the cost of creating individualized knits and enables people to use 3D scans of their bodies to create clothing that is individually tailored.
There are a few industrial knitting machines out there that 3D knit. Shima Seiki’s Wholegarment machine, which has four needlebeds, is capable of knitting entire garments without any seams or need for finishing. Not only does that save the time and labor cost needed to sew the seam, it also improves comfort and wearability. Take a look at the finished product, as sold by Ministry of Supply.
Unmade is a platform enabling users and e-commerce brands to design their own one-of-a-kind knitwear. By partnering up with factories, they allow both consumer and producers to take advantage of the customization made possible by an industrial digital knitting machine. On-demand manufacturing also reduces the waste of creating multiples of a product that may never be sold out, and that would not fit anyone perfectly. Recently they have been featured at MoMA’s exhibit Items: Is Fashion Modern? The world is digital 3D knitting is rapidly replacing the old world of manual knitting machines and traditional manufacturing.
This article addresses two important ideas, true customization and sustainability. By having machines that can produce bespoke products on an industrial level it allows for personalized on a level that has never been achievable before. This could be aplied to accomodating more body shapes. Sustainability is also addressed as these machines are able to only make what is needed. This means that there is less waste over all.
Originally Published By : Shapeways
