6. Computational Couture

Research & Ideation

This week’s lecture was truly my favorite! Learning about the intricate techniques of 3D printing was inspiring, and I found my creativity sparked by the shapes and forms of bubbles and mushrooms. Exploring these organic, fluid structures made me think of new ways to incorporate them into my assignment—imagining textures and layers that could mimic their delicate, natural forms. It was a perfect blend of technical learning and creative inspiration!

Introduce the mashines

3D FDM creates objects layer by layer from a digital model It starts with 3D modeling in CAD software, followed by slicing the design into layers

The printer then builds the object using materials like plastic, resin, or powder, This process allows for complex, customized designs.

In my Swatches, I used UltiMaKER 3 + UltiMaker S5 to explore integrating textiles with 3D printing.

This week was fantastic! We had the chance to experiment with 3D printing machines, creating 3D-printed textiles. After working in Rhino and Grasshopper to design the patterns, we got to see our digital creations come to life in a textile form. It was incredible to combine software-based design techniques with physical printing, adding an extra dimension to the textiles we usually work with.

3D Printing Workflow

3D Modeling: A digital model is created using CAD software like Rhino or Fusion 360.

Slicing: The model is divided into thin layers using slicing software to generate printer instructions (G-code).

Printing: The printer builds the object layer by layer, using methods like FDM (plastic extrusion) or SLA (resin curing).

Post-Processing: The final object may need cleaning or finishing.

Test 1

TPU Material

3D modelling

I started experimenting with Fusion 360, which feels more familiar to me than Rhino. I began by creating circles and some random shapes to get a feel for the design tools.

Then I extrude the shape so I got my 3d model

then I saved exported my file as a mesh

Slicing

• I opened my file on Cura Ultimaker I used Ultimaker 3

• then I started adjust the sttiings

• Make sude to choose the right 3D printing mashine and to check the preview page before printing

- check the pause setting (here i forget to pause so I didi it manually)

To do that command go to your tool bar --> Extension --> post processing0 --> Modify G-code and choose from the list Pause at height

Printing

After saving my file on my flash memory I put in the mashine and start printing !!

when I paused the mashine using the pause command on the screen in the mashine then I tightened the fabric (I uised streatchy Tulle Fabric) on the mashine bed so it shrinks when I remove it after finishing the printing

Test 2

TPU Material

3D modeling

• After looking at The Mashroom pictures I start sketching the design using fusion 360

• and scale it to get the best rsult

• The final step in fusion before export the file is EXTRUDE IT

• To save the file there is 2 ways :

• File--> Export --> Save as STL file

• Click on the body in the tool bar on the lft click SAVE AS MESH

Slicing

SLICE IT ON ULTIMAKER CURE !!

you can check the setting I uded after scrolling down in the Settings section. Here I used Ultimaker S5

Printing

Start Printing !!

my first trail was not the best for the sample

but the second one worked !!

Very Important thing to take it into cinsideration to speed down the speed for the first layer .. even fron the mashine or from the setting when you slicing

After 2 layers the mashine will pause .. then you can tighten the fabric on the mashine bed so it shrinks when you remove it after finishing the printing

Test 3

PLA Material

3D modelling

For this design I used Rhino&Grasshopper

using this tutorial from youtube

At the end I used the command bake and Export it in STL for slicing.

PROBLEMS YOU COULD FACE

• The only step that missed in the tutorial was adding surface to extrude it

• choose the right scale !!

my first printing was too small

Printing

change the color manually when the mashine finished the small parts

How to change the material in the mashine

first you need to click on change to change the material

then you click unload and wait till the meatrail comes out so you can insert the new material and choose it.

Test 4

TPU Material

I was trying to do a grid and to controll the distance between each line

Here I used this youtube tutorial to guide me

3D modelling

For this design also I used Rhino&Grasshopper

Slicing

Slice it on UltraMaker Cura

Printing

Final result with problems

I got this result at the end .. the problem is i did not got my swatch clear .. and i think problems like this could be solved with the heat gun

Test 5

TPU Material

Step 1

In this sample I wanted to try the art of Origami of the 3d printing to check the difference in the effect..

i skectched the same origami design

It did not shrink as I was expect it.. I used streachy fabric but did not work !

Step 2

Then I tried to remove the X lines in the design to check how it is goning to work

I tried 3 times before getting my fabric it looks so silly but some time the machine does not want to help you !

Test 6

PLA Material

Starting this sketch from fusion 360 ! I was trying to something could be wearable.

I did the first sample to check the design

Here I tried different design

then I tried to make bigger pattern to make a gloves .

Settings you need to use when you print

I used the same setting for all my swatches with changing the speed only

3D Printing mashine

In this week we learned how to deal with the mashine Ultra Maker S5

What to do while using the mashine ??

• Stay close to your machine, especially at the beginning, so you can watch for any mistakes and correct them if they occur.

• Keep the speed slow for the first layer so you make sure the material sick on the bed

Fabrication files

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1. File: TEST 2  ↩

2. File: TEST 3 - first trail  ↩

3. File: TEST 3 - Second trail  ↩

4. File: TEST 4  ↩

5. File: TEST 4 Grasshoppper  ↩

6. File: TEST 5 ↩

7. File: TEST 6 - Prototype ↩

8. File: TEST 6  ↩