Sew what? Introducing an engineering textile fabrication project

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperOther

Abstract

CONTEXT
Practical experience in designing and building solutions to engineering problems is limited in scope
in many Australasian engineering programs, due to scale, budget, availability of suitable spaces,
equipment and technical staff. In this paper, we present a textile design project. This hands-on
design and build technical project is cost and space efficient, can be taught on campus or remotely,
and has many real-world applications.
PURPOSE
In engineering practice, sewing is used in many applications such as lifting slings, parachutes,
shipping sails, automotive vibration and noise control, seat belts, carbon fibre layup, medical
garments, and high-performance sporting garments. However, sewing is not commonly thought of
as an engineering activity. This project sought to challenge that perception, and provide an
opportunity for students to develop hands-on skills while addressing a real-world problem.
APPROACH
In 2021, students in a second year Mechanical and Aerospace engineering unit designed and
fabricated textile masks with replaceable filter elements, and tested them to elements of the
Australian P2 standard (AS/NZS1716:2012). Instruction was provided asynchronously through
pre-recorded videos, and synchronously through video and in-person workshops. Students could
utilise the on-campus equipment (sewing machines, overlockers and embroidery machines), use
equipment available at home, or hand sew. Masks were chosen as an authentic, real-world design
problem given students had experienced mask use firsthand due to the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic. Students had to think critically about mask design requirements in addition to the
recommendations of the World Health Organisation.
OUTCOMES
At the conclusion of the testing phase, the majority of student fabricated masks passed the
experimentally assessed elements of the P2 standard. Some students progressed from having
never threaded a needle, to being able to confidently operate a sewing machine and construct their
own designs. Students whose cultural background or traditional gender roles may not have
encouraged them to sew were able to experience and enjoy creating their own textile prototypes.
CONCLUSIONS
The project allowed students to design and build functional, sewn prototypes and relate them back
to a real-world contemporary problem. Students overcame their initial biases to expand their
perception of engineering work.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication33rd Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference (AAEE 2022): Future of Engineering Education
Place of PublicationSydney NSA AUS
PublisherAustralasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE)
Pages621-629
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9781925627756
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022
EventAAEE - Annual Conference of Australasian Association for Engineering Education 2022 - Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
Duration: 4 Dec 20227 Dec 2022
Conference number: 33rd
https://aaee.net.au/conferences/
https://search.informit.org/doi/book/10.3316/informit.9781925627756 (Proceedings)

Conference

ConferenceAAEE - Annual Conference of Australasian Association for Engineering Education 2022
Abbreviated titleAAEE 2022
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CitySydney
Period4/12/227/12/22
Internet address

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