Experience in the design sector, composites, textile technology and production led to Dr Lindsey Waterton Taylor securing the role of Lecturer in Weaving Technologies and Design at the University of Leeds, as well as becoming the academic lead for the 3D Weaving Innovation Centre (3D WIC) in the School of Design.
Originally graduating in design and woven textiles, Lindsey specialised in 3D weaving during PhD research at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).
Her PhD project, funded by EPSRC and co-sponsored by a small composites company in Lancashire, researched the potential of 2D-to-3D wovens for the composites sector and gave her a wealth of experience in collaborative industry-led research.
The PhD entailed using conventional weaving technology and production principles to develop fully integrated woven textile truss configurations known as the 3D Woven Nodal Structure (3D WNS).
The range of configurations for these structures, combined with high performance yarns and considered weave architectures for technical applications, produces a lightweight woven preform for composite applications.
“I’ve always loved translating my technical knowledge into something practical businesses can use,” Lindsey says. “One of the benefits of being sponsored by a small business was that throughout my PhD I had to keep linking my research to its commercial applications.”
Lindsey has taught weaving for nearly two decades, drawing on her commercial experience to equip students to work collaboratively and creatively in diverse roles across the industry. At the same time, she continued her research in 3D weaving of complex 3D structures.
The success of a 3D woven preform/shape and surface comes from translating 3D geometries into a 2D-folded folded form on the loom, similar to paper engineering. Once the woven 2D form is removed from the loom it can then be turned from a 2D into a 3D woven structure.
The scope of 3D-to-2D-to-3D weaving allows new multilayer woven structures that can be developed and produced to combine aesthetics and functionality.
In the fashion and textile sectors, one of the key areas for development is seamless woven forms, from apparel to interiors.
Lindsey came to the University of Leeds in 2016 to lead the 3D WIC in the School of Design, which formally opened in May 2018.
“I’d visited the trade show ITMA, Milan in 2015, and seen the latest innovations in both weaving machinery and jacquard technology exhibited by two different engineering companies,” Lindsey explains.
“That began the vision for a multi-shuttle weaving machine combined with a single end warp control jacquard system with variable shedding geometries. A conversation led to these two businesses forming the only multi-shuttle jacquard weaving machine in a UK Higher Education Institute.”
Supported initially by the European Regional Development Fund, Leeds City Regional Fund and University of Leeds, the 3D WIC began working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to identify opportunities to use 3D weaving in product design and manufacturing.
Now, Lindsey is keen to continue working with businesses to explore the possibilities of 3D weaving for industry and develop equipment and software to drive this technology forward. In February, she introduced Future Fashion Factory members to the capabilities of the 3D loom as part of a special workshop in partnership with Optima 3D.
Now, Lindsey is keen to continue working with businesses to explore the possibilities of 3D weaving for industry and develop equipment and software to drive this technology forward. In February, she introduced Future Fashion Factory members to the capabilities of the 3D loom as part of a special workshop in partnership with Optima 3D.
“I think 3D weaving is a perfect example of how creativity and technology are completely inseparable,” says Lindsey. “Without the design expertise and the supporting software it’s impossible to get the results you need from the loom. Fashion is all about having the right technical tools to bring your creative vision to life and 3D weaving opens up lots of new possibilities for designers.”
As Programme Leader for the University of Leeds’ BA Textile Design, Lindsey is ensuring that graduates are prepared with this breadth of knowledge and skills when they enter the industry. In consultation with employers, she is continually reviewing the programme to give students experience of a wide range of skills to prepare them for diverse roles in the fashion and textile sector.
Lindsey is keen to hear from businesses about the key skills that graduates need, as well as to discuss the opportunities of 3D weaving. Seamless structures – even entire seamless garments – are an exciting prospect, as is the development of software to support more complex creative designs.
“I’m passionate about bringing the aesthetics and function of a product together, and how we can use advanced manufacturing processes to do this,” she adds. “It’s about combining creative and scientific knowledge to make something truly innovative.”
If you have an idea you would like to explore with Lindsey, get in touch at l.w.taylor@leeds.ac.uk.
