Simulation techniques for smart textile predictive design

Abstract

Smart textiles must combine both textile and electronic systems into one product. This presents challenges as each industry has their own design and evaluation standards that are not compatible with one another. As such, smart textile designers tend to rely heavily on the production and iteration of physical prototypes to create a product that meets the specified design criteria. One emerging tool in the apparel industry that has potential to shorten the prototyping cycle is 3D CAD for textiles, also known as 3D garment simulation. While typically used for apparel design and e-commerce, this work presents two case studies that demonstrate how 3D garment simulation can be used as a tool for predictive design of smart textile products. In particular, how strain-dependent properties such as resistance and contact pressure can be predicted and how designs can be optimized to achieve certain performance metrics.