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TAKA MOLDURA

I began by researching leather as a material, focusing on how it is made and how it behaves. I was particularly interested in cactus leather as a sustainable alternative and explored how plant fibers are processed into leather-like sheets. Through this research, I learned that leather becomes formable when wet and holds its shape when dry, which later influenced my project direction.

5 Ws who, what, when, where, why

who

Target beneficiaries: Leather artisans Manufacturers working with leather products for example,footwear, clothing, handbads, belts,... Consumers using products made from leather Tanneries Stakeholders: Leather material suppliers and providers Tanneries (Leather Manufacturers) Brands and Retialers.

what

The project explores the use of digital fabrication tools (3D printing, Laser cutting, parametric design, and CNC Machining) to create precise molds for leather molding. It produces: Leather Molded products such as Leather bags, Wearable leather accessories, and Decorative or fucntional leather objects. The project introduces: 3D-designed positive and negative molds CNC-milled for 3D-printed molds Laser-cut leather patterns Wet molding techniques for shaping leather accurately This approach allows leather to be shaped consistently while maintaining the tactile and aesthetic qualities of handcrafted leather products

when

In the Digital Fabrication Labs or workships equipped with Digital fabrication tools including CNC Milling machines, 3D printers, and Laser cutting Machines. In leather craft workshops transitioning toward digital technology. And also applying in the small manufacturing setups and artisan workshops.

where

To solve challenges in traditional leather modling including Limited precision and repeatability Inconsistent product resutls Difficulty in scaling production Long prototyping time To improve: Design accuracty Increase efficiency in production Empower leather artisans with access to digital fabrication tools

why

Material Testing Testing different leather thicknesses Digital Design Designing the product in 3D software Creating parametric mold designs Fabrication CNC milling or 3D printing the molds Laser cutting leather components Molding & Assembly Drying, stitching, and finishing

Image description

-Image referencesimage1 image2

References projects, research papers, expos, performances etc

For my Fabricademy final project, I am exploring leather moulding as a fabrication technique to create structured forms for bag design. The project focuses on designing and fabricating molds using digital fabrication tools such as CNC milling or 3D printing, then using these molds to shape leather into durable and expressive forms.

This approach combines traditional material craft (leatherwork) with digital design and fabrication, allowing precise, repeatable, and customizable results. Concept & Motivation

Leather is a flexible material that can be permanently shaped when exposed to moisture, pressure, and controlled drying. Traditionally, leather moulding is done by hand, but digital tools allow more complex geometries, consistency, and scalability.

The motivation behind this project is to: • Explore new structural possibilities in bag design • Use digital fabrication to modernize leather craftsmanship • Create molds that can be reused to produce multiple products

The final outcome will be a moulded leather bag or bag component.

I researched existing practices through videos, tutorials, and case studies showing:

•   Wet leather moulding techniques
•   Use of 3D-printed molds for leather shaping
•   CNC-milled molds made from wood or plastic
•   Bag designers using moulded leather for structure

These references informed decisions on mold design, material choice, and moulding process.

  • YOUTUBE TUTORIALS
  • Materials & Tools

-MATERIALS

•   Vegetable-tanned leather (preferred for moulding)
•   Water (for wet moulding)
•   Mold material:
•   PLA / PETG (3D printing)
•   Wood or MDF (CNC milling)

-TOOLS & MACHINES

•   CAD software (Fusion 360 / Blender)
•   CNC milling machine or 3D printer
•   Clamps or press
•   Drying setup (air drying)

Design Process

  1. Digital Mold Design

The mold was designed digitally, considering:

•   Bag volume and ergonomics
•   Smooth curves to avoid leather tearing
•   Draft angles for easy demolding

The mold consists of:

•   A positive mold (main shape)
•   Optionally a negative mold or pressing plate

  1. Mold Fabrication

    • For CNC: the mold is milled from wood/MDF • For 3D printing: the mold is printed using PLA

After fabrication, the mold is sanded and cleaned to ensure smooth contact with the leather.

Leather Moulding Process

1.  The leather is soaked in water until flexible
2.  Excess water is removed
3.  The wet leather is placed over the mold
4.  Pressure is applied using hands, clamps, or a press
5.  The leather is left to dry completely on the mold
6.  Once dry, the leather retains the molded shape

Product Development: BAG DESIGN

The moulded leather form is then:

•   Trimmed and finished
•   Combined with straps, linings, or closures
•   Assembled into a functional bag

The moulded part provides structure, aesthetics, and identity to the product.

Challenges & Learnings

•   Understanding leather thickness vs mold depth
•   Avoiding cracks or overstretching
•   Designing molds that allow easy removal
•   Balancing craft and digital precision

This project helped me understand how material behavior influences digital design decisions.

Conclusion

This final project demonstrates how digital fabrication tools can enhance traditional leather craftsmanship. By combining CNC or 3D-printed molds with leather moulding, it is possible to create structured, repeatable, and innovative bag designs.

Keywords

Leather moulding, digital fabrication, CNC milling, 3D printing, bag design, Fabricademy, material-driven design, computational craft

  • Image reference

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