权利要求：
That Which is Claimed is:
1 . A method of manufacturing a fabric, comprising the steps of:
developing a three-dimensional model of a fabric; and
utilizing the three-dimensional model in an additive manufacturing process to build a fabric.
2. The method defined in Claim 1 , wherein the utilizing step comprises a multi- jet printing process.
3. The method defined in Claim 1, wherein the fabric is based on a woven fabric structure.
4. The method defined in Claim 1 , wherein the fabric is based on a non-woven structure.
5. The method defined in Claim 4, wherein the non- woven structure has at least one of: non-uniform hole sizes on the support surface with an open area of at least 15%; an internal void volume of 40-70%; and a higher mass distribution on the machine-side surface to provide mechanical stability and wear resistance.
6. The method defined in Claim 1 , wherein the fabric is produced in an endless loop without seaming, bonding or welding.
7. The method defined in Claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises a digital alloy material.
8. The method defined in Claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises a papermaker's fabric.
9. The method defined in Claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises an industrial textile.
10. A method of providing an enhanced support surface on an existing fabric, comprising the steps of: developing a three-dimensional model of a support surface; and
utilizing the three-dimensional model in an additive manufacturing process to build a support surface on the existing fabric.
11. The method defined in Claim 10, wherein the utilizing step comprises a multi- jet printing process.
12. The method defined in Claim 10, wherein the enhanced support surface is based on a fine woven fabric structure.
13. The method defined in Claim 10, wherein the enhanced support surface is a random distribution of support fibers or strands.
14. The method defined in Claim 10, wherein the fabric comprises a digital alloy material.
15. The method defined in Claim 10, wherein the existing fabric is a papermaker' s fabric.
16. The method defined in Claim 15, wherein the existing fabric is an endless coarse single layer base fabric.
17. A method of providing an reduced drag wear surface on an existing fabric, comprising the steps of:
developing a three-dimensional model of a wear surface; and
utilizing the three-dimensional model in an additive manufacturing process to build a wear surface on an endless fabric.
18. The method defined in Claim 17, wherein the fabric comprises a digital alloy material.
19. The method defined in Claim 17, wherein the existing fabric is a papermaker' s fabric.