3D Felting Printer Creates Soft Objects

Apr-30-14 A new 3D printer that uses yarn to 'print' soft objects could have applications in the field of soft robotics while also keeping us well-supplied in teddy bears.

The printer, developed in collaboration by Carnegie Mellon University and Disney Research Pittsburgh, resembles an embroidery machine but uses the same layering process as standard 3D printers—except the filament has been replaced with yarn and no melting is involved. Instead, the yarn is fed through the printer and then pierced repeatedly with a barbed needle, which attaches the layers together.

The felt-printed items are not as strong as typical plastic or rubber objects, and would need to be attached to mesh fabric for some support before being attached to a hard object. However, the team believes that a 3D printer able to mix fabric and plastic elements is not far away.

More Info about this Invention:

[GIZMAG.COM]
[DISNEY RESEARCH]

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