Speaking about the latest collection Sven Hermans, Account Manager for Materialise said: “For the first time we have worked with Iris van Herpen to produce a hybrid creation incorporating unique, transparent bone-like structures produced with Mammoth Stereolithography. Thanks to 3D printing the dresses are seamless and made to measure. It is exciting working with Iris van Herpen to bring her complex geometrical designs to life; 3D printing does what no other form of clothing manufacture can do when complex shapes need to be created quickly and as one piece.”

How it works

The design was first created on a computer in collaboration with Isaie Bloch, a Belgian architect and CG artist, before being optimised for 3D printing using Materialise software. At this point flaws or obstacles were fixed before work continued and the design was sent to the printer. The design was then brought to life using Mammoth Stereolithography, an additive  manufacturing technique which creates objects layer by layer. UV lasers scan the design into a liquid resin that hardens wherever the laser hits and the 3D object gradually comes to life.

Materialise supported by EU

Materialise originated as a university project  focused on rapid prototyping applications. As the company evolved, it began providing surgeons with highly accurate models of their patients' anatomy  after performing CT or MR scans and transforming that information into  printable models. The models have improved both diagnosis and surgical planning considerably. They have also been used as masters for surgical  implants or prostheses. Through on-going research and a strong focus on innovation supported by the European Union, the applications of the  technology continued to evolve and diversify and are today accessible to the medical, automotive, design and consumer market segments. The company is now a technological leader in 3D printing, employing almost 900 people, boosting European industry and creating jobs.
Wilfried Vancraen, founder and CEO of Materialise, said: “Materialise would  never have become what it is without European backing. It gave a small company the chance to do longer-term development.”

3D printing has become an important prototyping technology, producing one-off models of newly designed products efficiently by giving feedback to the development engineers and designers in the design stages. The technology was also recently used at La Fenice Opera House in Venice for their production of Madame Butterfly staged by contemporary Japanese artist, Mariko Mori. Joris Debo, Creative Director at Materialise worked with the Mariko Mori Studio to create a 3D printed solution for the wings of the main character.

“Materialise is an outstanding example of innovation in the European Union. It has taken technology developed to help surgeons rebuild people's bodies and applied it to other, design-critical sectors,” comments Michael Jennings, European Commission spokesman responsible for research, innovation and science. “The cultural and creative industries now benefitting from this technology account for 3.3% of Europe's economy and employ 6.7 million people. So we now have a successful manufacturing process developed in Europe supporting one of our key export industries."
Future of 3D printing in design and manufacturing 3D printing has evolved and is being increasingly recognised as a complete manufacturing technology. The advantages and potential of the technology are multiple: stock is not necessary as you print what you need, the time-to-market is very short (once you make a design modification to a 3D file you can continue producing), the technology allows for mass-customisation and the creation of many unique products. You can also make very complex shapes that are impossible with conventional techniques.

MATERIALISE showcase at Innovation Convention 2014, click here