During mi “Master of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship” in l’Ecal. I did a final project focused in a research about textiles and vacuum thermoforming techniques. The objective is create electronic goods, using thermoforming textiles bodies. The benefits of this new technique for do this kind of products are: reduced the environment impact. Also decrease the investment in molds and lower the unit cost. Interested also in a flexible properties and possibilities of new ergonomics.Process was focus in a deep research of textiles can be thermoformed.
The basics are find a material with a bit polymeric composition for do the thermoforming and a textile that not pierce air for do a perfect vacuum.
Kvadrat have the Waterborn series, the composition of it’s 15% polyurethane and 85% polyester. Also is waterproof, perfect for resist the outdoor environments. When I find the perfect textile, I started to do samplers for put in a limit the elasticity of the material, I needed to observe what deep volumes I can’t do with the material. I discovered that material thermoformed well if I use a simple foam slice, it helps the textile got a form in a perfect harmony with out creases. Also I can determinate the perfect temperature and vacuum time. Next step was find and assemble the electronic components for do the radio. The performance was a 3w speaker. With a Lithium Battery and 5V. When the electronic structure was ready I stich the radio with cow leather in a craftsman workshop.
