Adidas has teamed up with 3D printing specialist Materialise to offer custom footwear to their clients by introducing Futurecraft 3D, a 3D printed running shoe midsole.
This midsole can be tailored to the needs of an individual’s foot, after data has been collected from briefly running on a treadmill. Materialise’s 3-matic Software is used to create the design before it is laser sintered in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) powder. “It [TPU] is brand-new in the marketplace and convinced us with its durable elasticity as well as high tear strength and abrasion resistance,” explains Daniel Cocking, Footwear Development Manager at Adidas.
Futurecraft 3D is part of the Futurecraft series, an initiative by adidas to “place open source collaboration and craftsmanship at the heart of design to drive innovation across all elements of production.”
The 3D concept will provide a personalised experience for athletes, offering individualised support and cushioning at pressure points by 3D printing a flexible and fully breathable carbon copy of their footprint.
Eric Liedtke, Executive Board Member of Adidas AG: “Futurecraft 3D is a prototype and a statement of intent. We have used a one-of-its-kind combination of process and material in an entirely new way. Our 3D-printed midsole not only allows us to make a great running shoe, but also to use performance data to drive truly bespoke experiences, meeting the needs of any athlete.”
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