3D Yarn, Felting Printer, Prints Teddy Bears

[Brian_Krassenstein]

Every day we see new types of 3D printers, as well as materials to print with. Today Disney Research and CMU unveiled a felting printer, which 3D prints wool into any given shape desired. The felting printer works just like an FDM printer in that it prints layer upon layer of a material (In this case wool yarn) until a final object is completed.
http://3dprint.com/2861/3d-felting-printer/
Researchers are now working on ways to integrate hard materials, within and attached to, the soft felt-like material being printed. Check out a quick video of the printer below to better understand how it functions:

[Markum_Debreeze]

Wouldn't this be perfect for printing clothing? Is Disney really only focused on making teddy bears with this technology? People have been trying to 3D print clothing in a material that is comfortable. This would seem like the perfect way of doing it.

[old man emu]

It looks like a computer controlled embroidery machine. The advance here is possibly in the software.

Old Man Emu

[Geoff]

DIY plushy toys, I better not let my kids see this..