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    How to Sample with the ZSK Research and Training Center

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    The ZSK Research and Training Center was established in 2018 in Seattle, WA in order to support the growing technical embroidery industry in the USA. Seattle was selected as the home of this facility due to its strong technological ties to industry. Seattle is the home of many large and small technology companies exploring flexible circuits and smart textiles as well as a robust aerospace composites industry.

    The purpose of this new facility is to explore developments in technical embroidery and to teach these new developments to interested parties to further this cutting-edge field of additive manufacturing. Different sampling techniques, materials evaluation, brainstorming, and machine operation guidelines are regularly updated and taught at the facility.


     

     


    Many customers have found great utility in using the facility to test out new project ideas, create evaluation samples for a specific project, obtain machine settings characterizations for specific materials, and explore general topics in textile engineering and technical embroidery. Additionally, customers have enjoyed leveraging our wide range of suppliers and materials sourcing partners in order to get material supply chains setup quickly for their new technical embroidery projects.


    In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to sample with the ZSK Research and Training Center. This guide is created to help serve commonly asked questions and to show you the wide versatility of owning a ZSK embroidery machine. 

    Sampling services are offered to help test different material combinations to see stitchability, or to get a rough idea of embroidery possibilities that might solve a specific technical problem.

    For many industries, it can be a daunting task to convert an existing product line into technical textiles. However, this innovation, and going against the grain, is often where financial incentive can be found. Sampling with us can reduce the potential risks of a new product mindset and provide you with test pieces for internal evaluations.

    Sampling can include composites, fiber optics, wire placement, tube placement, smart textiles, electronics inclusions, sensor inclusions, and other material studies. Evaluations of backing materials, tensions, and other embroidery processes for production evaluations can be performed as well.


    Important: Request official access to this course!

    In order to upload the required files and download special content, please request student access to this course. If you are using the guest account to view this site, you will not be able to see content or upload the requested documents and files! Email: t@zsk.com for access.

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    Date and Sign the MNDA

    To begin the sampling process, please date and sign the MNDA. A message will be automatically generated to ZSK for review and counter signing. For speed and review ease, it is preferred to use the standard ZSK MNDA attached. 


    Additional MNDA's will be evaluated as needed but may take more review time. As we have developed considerable techniques and technology, single sided NDA's will not be accepted. 

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    Smart Textiles Examples

    (Optional)  To show some of the many possibilities of technical embroidery, we have published the following CARL magazines. These are great ways to see some of the possibilities with technical embroidery and with ZSK equipment. 


     
     

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    Select Technique

    In order to help spur your development, a brief description of technical embroidery and some of the techniques are attached in the following white paper. If you don't know exactly which technique you'd like to explore, that is totally fine! However, we've found that presenting the possibilities allows for you to know what options are available. 

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    Send Materials

    Materials and supplies are a primary piece of textile engineering and technical embroidery. We carry a wide variety of different threads, backing materials, and needles so don't worry, we can get you up and running quickly!


      

     



    However, often customers would like to try some special technical material. A certain type of wire, carbon fiber, carbon nanotube, specialized conductive thread, might be desired. Therefore, these materials must be drop shipped to us before we begin. Additionally, if color is particularly important for your design and evaluation, please order and drop ship that color to us otherwise, we will use whatever "blue" thread we have in stock.

    Recommended Materials:

    • Weight 40 Polyester Thread (we have this in stock, but not all colors so order if a specific color is needed)
    • Fabrics, Plastics, Substrates, Finished Goods, etc. (please drop ship this material ASAP for evaluation)
    • Technical Materials, Wires, Circuit Boards, Tubes, Carbon Fiber, Glass Fiber, etc.


    In Stock:

    • Embroidery Needles (we have a full range in stock, not necessary to order)
    • Backing Materials (we have a full range of standard backing in stock including water dissolvable, not necessary to order)


    Please send all materials you would like to use in your sampling evaluation, as well as your business card to:


    ZSK Research and Training Center

    990 Industry Drive

    Seattle, WA 98188

    USA

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    Wire Design Template and Directions

    Please use the guide below to help create your initial design. The more detail you can provide and the further you can develop your design, the better. This helps our engineering and design team to better create exactly what you're looking for in your sample to prove our technology to you. 

    Generally, our recommendation is to provide us with the correct materials you want to evaluate, and a similar, but not identical, design to what you want to create. This way, we can provide you with a good evaluation of your materials, idea, and project. 



    Below, you'll find the files used in the tutorial (PDF is only a reference). Please submit your .AI (preferred) or .DXF file for evaluation.

    Additionally, creating curvy lines with Illustrator has never been easier!


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    Upload Design Files

    Upload your completed .AI (preferred) or .DXF files here. If you do not have this software or expertise, our design team can help coach you through the process. In that case, please send any drawings, sketches, or diagrams to begin the process as well as your contact information and we will get in touch with you.