Digital Textile Manufacturing and Computational Design: The Future of Textile Production and Automated Weaving

12 Aug

Authors: Mariam Oladepo-Ajagbe

Abstract: The textile industry is experiencing a transformative shift driven by digital manufacturing technologies and computational design methodologies. This study examines the integration of automated weaving systems, digital fabrication techniques, and computational design tools in contemporary textile production. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis of current industry practices, this research identifies key technological innovations reshaping textile manufacturing, including computer-aided design (CAD) systems, automated Jacquard looms, 3D weaving technologies, and artificial intelligence-driven pattern generation. The findings reveal that digital textile manufacturing significantly enhances production efficiency, design complexity, customization capabilities, and sustainability outcomes compared to traditional methods. However, barriers to adoption include high initial capital investments, workforce skill gaps, and integration challenges with existing infrastructure. This study provides empirical evidence of the transformative potential of computational design in textile production and offers practical recommendations for industry stakeholders navigating this technological transition. The research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on Industry 4.0 applications in textile manufacturing and establishes a foundation for future investigations into human-machine collaboration, sustainable digital fabrication, and democratized design tools in the textile sector.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17907464