Smart clothing, wearables, and e-textiles. These words are buzzing around the technology industry more than ever. Smart clothing is the term used for any item of clothing that has been enhanced to essentially become an IoT (Internet of Things) integrated and enabled product. Smart clothing has been produced to do a wide range of things, from monitoring vital signs to monitoring sports performance, to simply kicking in some added extra heat to your winter jacket whilst you are exploring during the harsh winter elements. This smart clothing industry is projected to grow exponentially, as available technology progresses and can be integrated for new bespoke applications and functions. This is where printed electronics come into play.
Printed electronics is a well-established industry, Reid Print Technologies has been manufacturing Printed Electronics for over 30 years to add a little perspective here. The family of printed electronics products traditionally comprised of membrane switches, capacitive switches, decals, overlays, and HMI Panels. These traditional products are still very much in demand worldwide, however newly developed techniques for advanced manufacturing means these printed electronics can harness these processes to produce wearable flexible circuitry and sensor technology.
Flexible sensor technology, stretchable circuitry, and other printed electronics are the perfect fit for the product development of wearable smart clothing for many undeniable reasons. Flexible printed electronics are thin, flexible, lightweight, and low cost to manufacture. This technology can also be integrated into a range of different types of sensors to accommodate every possible application including:
- Temperature sensors
- Biosensors
- Heart and Respiratory Rate
- Force Sensors
Printed electronics have such a vast capability set, it’s a no-brainer and an avenue that has received an increase in interest and traction amongst the wearables industry. For more information on Smart Clothing and Printed Electronics contact sales@reidprinttechnologies.com.au or 1300 765 533
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