Technologies like the loom changed the world's production industry forever, and 3D printing is said to have the same potential – which means it's intriguing to see a new experimental device that combines the two.
Oluwaseyi Sosanya of the RCA's Innovation Design Engineering program has created the Structure of Protection, a loom that weaves in three dimensions. By using just one thread, the loom is capable of weaving structures that are equally as intricate as they are robust.
Ultimately the project's aim was to explore how the production and performance of 3D, woven textiles could be applied to protect other garments. For example, a Honeycomb weave is a simple hexagonal structure that is able to withstand impacts stronger than 300g while the ZigZAG is both light and flexible.

According to Sosanya, these weaves could potentially be used in the medical, architecture, vehicle, aerospace and sportswear industries.