This textile is a normal mesh enhanced by a FDM (fused deposition modelling) 3D printer that prints a layer of flexible material onto the textile. This technique gives structure and rigidity to the textile where it is really required, for example, in the front part of a shoe or within the sole. This process can also be used create something more fashionable, like a woman’s handbag.

These days, the main use (over the 50%) of additive manufacturing is still associated with prototyping and related activities rather than for the actual manufacture of products. This application takes a new approach to the use of a 3d printer, bringing additive manufacturing into the high level design market.

This manufacturing process allows for numerous design possibilities, without any limits in color, size and structure. Costs can be saved by enabling a more efficient use of raw materials because it is an additive process, rather than a subtractive one, which often results is excess, discarded material.