Following the announcement of German sportswear company adidas, American footwear manufacturer New Balance is about to launch a running shoe line featuring 3D printed midsoles.
Through their collaboration with 3D Systems, New Balance has developed a running shoe incorporating a specially designed midsole, that is manufactured using the elastomeric powder DuraForm Flex TPU combined with Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology.
“The new midsoles leverage the benefits of 3D printing and breakthroughs in materials science to achieve an optimal balance of flexibility, strength, weight and durability“, explains the company. The design is based on underfoot pressure data and provides additional cushioning elements in areas of higher average pressure.
A limited edition of the new running shoe will be launched in Boston in April 2016, with further selected worldwide retail locations following.
Sean Murphy, New Balance Senior Manager of Innovation and Engineering: “This project represents an unprecedented technical collaboration in footwear. To deliver this level of performance with a 3D-printed component, we paired experts in running and biomechanics with leaders in plastics engineering, material development and generative design. These are the types of collaborations that will drive footwear design and manufacturing in the future.”
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