2023.05.17
Designing Technology for Fabric that Transforms with Heat – "Steam Stretch" – To Produce Multiple Items from a Single Piece of Fabric: Nature Architects
Nature Architects Inc. has developed the design and manufacturing technology for a fabric named "Steam Stretch" that deforms automatically into the desired three-dimensional shape with heat in collaboration with A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE.
"Steam Stretch" uses a production technology by Issey Miyake, where certain threads in the fabric shrink when heated, creating stretchable fabric products. Nature Architects has developed an algorithm that calculates the necessary shrinkage patterns in the fabric to transform it into the desired 3D shape and automatically generates the design drawings, thus automating this design process.
Please watch the following video. By using this technology, one can produce almost finished items like clothing and hats instantly by heating flat fabric output from a loom, thereby realizing an entirely new concept in fashion.
Moreover, this groundbreaking technology is said to be applicable not only in the apparel industry but also in various manufacturing sectors.
This time, we interviewed Taisuke Oshima, CEO, and Kai Suto, CRO of Nature Architects, about the development background, the potential of the technology, and future developments.
The Common Theme of "Folding"
First, could you tell us about your company?
OshimaOur company was originally founded by three members who were researching design techniques and structural mechanics known as metamaterials at the University of Tokyo. We specialize in what is commonly referred to as mechanical design.
When people hear "design," many might think of product design or industrial design. However, we create entirely new physical functions through unique design techniques utilizing metamaterials.
For example, in the automotive industry, we create impact-absorbing materials that protect passengers by absorbing collision energy. We also design structures that eliminate components for lighter parts, control acoustics, vibrations, and heat.
With these technologies, our clients span industries including not only the apparel sector but also mobility, construction, aerospace, and home appliances.
Can you share what led to your collaboration with A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE in developing "Steam Stretch"?
OshimaSuto and I were originally members of Tachi Lab at the University of Tokyo. This lab worked on a field called origami engineering, which applies the principles of origami to engineering for developing new structural functional materials and buildings.
In the world of origami engineering, it has been mathematically proven by Tomohiro Tachi and Erik D. Demaine of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that "any three-dimensional shape can be realized by folding a single sheet of paper."
Suto, along with our CTO Kotaro Tanimichi, developed software that extends this base algorithm for use in product design.
With this background, we were thinking that "if we had the technology to automatically fold paper, we could create any 3D shape." However, the Tachi Lab did not have technology for automatically folding paper based on origami engineering.
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