How AM is Helping an Ancient Craft: Harris Tweed & 3D Printing

For centuries, the inhabitants of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland have been weaving beautiful fabrics that are now known worldwide as Harris Tweed. The intricate craft has been passed down from generation to generation and has even been enshrined in Scottish law – only fabric that has been hand-woven by Outer Hebridean weavers can be called Harris Tweed. Now, however, there is a small innovation in the midst of tradition: the looms have been redesigned, and the craft has been secured for the future with 3D printing.

The company exports its tweed to more than 60 countries. Numerous famous fashion houses use the woolen fabric worldwide, such as Vivienne Westwood and Dior. What is less well known, however, is the production process behind Harris Tweed. This requires a special loom, which is made up of countless complex components. But what happens if one of these components breaks?

A traditional loom from the early 20th century

In this case, weavers often have to wait up to six months for replacement parts, or get creative during this period in order to still use the loom. Weavers have always had to keep their looms up to date in innovative ways. John Bennie, a weaver at Harris Tweed, says: “When a vital part of the loom breaks, it can halt production for weeks, which is incredibly frustrating. Finding a way to keep the loom running smoothly is essential.” The Scottish weaver actually had to repair his loom with a flywheel from his Ford Ka when a key component broke.