Making a "mesh" of printable fibers

[kellenraidfractal]

I want to buy a printer that prints in fiber, say kevlar. I want to make a stocking so that I can use a "clutch" to tighten it up. I have no idea how to go about designing this "mesh" of fibers. Will someone point me to a reference or video on how this might be accomplised.?

[d12dozr]

Hi Kellen,

So far, 3D printing technology prints on a larger scale than regular fabrics, so results are relatively clunky and heavy.

For printing fiber like Kevlar, the closest thing I know is a company printing using carbon fiber. Find them here: https://markforged.com/

There are a few ways that people have made a fabric-like mesh using 3D printing. The first uses a 'chain mail' approach, where the individual links are printed separately, but interlocking. Here are a few examples:

How to design Chainmail

Here's a model you can download on Thingiverse.

Folks into clothing and fashion are trying this idea out as well.

Another way to make a flexible model is like this guy using commercial SLS material.

Youtube Video

See the rest of the videos on his channel for more ideas - he's pretty creative!

For a summary of the current state of 3D printing fabric, please see this comprehensive article: https://www.sculpteo.com/blog/2016/01/27/making-wearable-3d-printed-clothes/

[dukejazz]

I see: a lot can be done with this, like fiber glassing, cloth making, and a printable "mesh" fibers.
A cad driven flocking machine which shoot fiber to a layer with as a raisin glue
Most machine are point to point heat flow layering machine on a standard string path 1d pour a 2d pourer is need to make a true mesh surface

I saw a fiber nylon machine and wood making machine that melts pre-materializing materials on a reheat pass print

A mixture that can be sets up like foods and concrete

to Make a 3d printed object and then spray a coat of smoother or a melting acid tone and or to kind a process of making wired flowers dip coating

anodized

a metal 3d printer for Graphene

Graphene can be a composite materials
(you know kevlar can be a coated to copper)

Graphene 3D Lab Inc. *** graphene3dlab|
" ___ a choice material for the future of electronics, energy storage, drug delivery, and composite materials."

Their are plug-in here in the plug-in store to make primitive to mesh

[dukejazz]

Graphene Growth Made Easy- microphotonics.com ‎. microphotonics|
strength, graphene is also currently being developed as a potential replacement for Kevlar in protective clothing, and will eventually be seen in vehicle manufacture and possibly even used as a building material.