https://www.wool-tools.com/samples
abgerufen: 12.12.2026
How can we diversify applications for local wool, an underutilised resource? Atelier Luma began its research into wool, which has a long history in Arles, by investigating woven fabrics. This research led to investigating more closely non-woven fabrics, using the technique of felting, going directly from fibre to fabric. This wool quality that is particularly valuable in Europe, but underused due to processing and cost. Can the felting process be explored with robotic technologies and thus manufacturing costs improved?
Traditional needle felting is an exceedingly old process that involves interlacing strands to create a continuous textile surface. Felting can therefore be accomplished by fulling or needling. The first method is carried out by applying friction to the wool fibre while adding warm water and soap, whereas the second method involves the use of spiked needles to entangle and blend the various fibers.
The ongoing research project by Atelier Luma in collaboration with AATB aims to define new ways of treating wool by investigating robotic felting. Using a customized felting process, which uses carded, non-woven wool, requires fewer processing steps and can employ a larger range of wool qualities. A novel method of needle felting is possible thanks to the significant junction of software and hardware development. Robotic needle felting facilitates the creation of both aesthetic designs and functional seam connections.
The robot moves a motorised felting tool as an end-of-arm application. The method includes experimenting with a broad range of felted properties by being able to transform various data inputs into felt, as well as adjust the number of needles and their positioning. As a result, needle felting is no longer continuous; it may be custom-placed, and different felting appearances can be blended based on the parameters: Color, Texture, Layers, Transparency. All investigations of new possibilities for the treatment and aesthetics of felted wool are accessible in the index library.
Wool Tools is an ongoing research project by Atelier LUMA in collaboration with AATB. It intends to examine the needle felting technology by combining it with the benefits of robotic manufacturing. What impact may new technologies have on how we process wool? The project investigates new possibilities for the treatment and aesthetics of felted wool through the creation of new hardware and software.
Soft-Hardware
The robotic felt-production is the consequence of a customised technique of hard and software functionalities. The motorised felting tool at the end of the robot allows to modify the number of needles as well as the pattern in which they are arranged. As a result, the stroke size of the felted pattern might range from one point to several centimeters. The software can handle various data inputs such as SVG, PNG, and JSON. This enables a modular digital manufacturing process, which may still be modified by adjusting the hardware parameters. Wool Tools seeks a balance between digitally controlled tools and conventional felting techniques.
Felted Wool Pavilion
The Felted Wool Pavilion is part of the Bioregional Design Practices exhibition by Atelier LUMA, presented at Alcova during Milan Design Week 2023 – in collaboration with AATB. The pavilion is showcasing an intermediate result of the research project „Wool Tools“, investigating novel felt production. The outside of the pavilion shows a large-scale illustration of a sheep herd in the Camargue Area. The robotic felting technique is used to assemble all the wall layers in a functional felt seam. Inside the pavilion, a robotic arm demonstrates the customised felting process in a live production that combines traditional needle felting, new physical tool and digital methods with its various possibilities to felt typography, illustrations, patterns and gradients.