Machine Sewing with Conductive Thread: A Comparison of Materials and Techniques

摘要

In the rapidly growing field of wearable textile-based electronics, one of the greatest challenges is to appropriately sew with a machine using conductive thread. This study compares the behavior of commercially available conductive thread-type materials when employed in an industrial Juki sewing machine, using both woven and knit textiles. The conductive thread-type materials employed range from silver coated nylon thread to stainless steel and copper wires, both insulated and raw. Results are grouped in terms of machine-thread interaction, thread and stitch type in relation to fabric type, the influence of stretch on stitch integrity, and resistance values of the machine-stitched conductive paths in relation to thread-type material and stitch type. This study enables understanding of how textile-based wearable electronics can be developed in an aesthetic and functional manner that may lead to large-scale production of textile-based electronics.