3D printing has established itself as being one of the easiest and most innovative ways that products can be manufactured. Taking complete advantage of the technology this time around, is Adidas, with their brand new, futuristic Futurecraft 4D.
The sneakers, produced in collaboration with a 3D printing start-up called Carbon 3D, will be using a printing method known as Continuous Liquid Interface Production that uses ultraviolet light for the process of 3D printing. This approach is used, because according to Carbon 3D, it makes for a more resilient material when manufactured. The entire production process is also extensively sped up thanks to this approach.
Having a more tailored construction of the sneakers is also what makes this approach advantageous for manufacturers. Having said, there are still a few more improvements needed to be made on the final production method for customizations. According to GQ’s source, the material used to make the shape of the shoe is made from a kind of proprietary glass. This glass not only allows the ultraviolet light to pass through, but also oxygen. When the light hits the resin in the glass, the resin hardens. Where oxygen hits, it remains liquid. The reason why Adidas believes this is the future, because this technology will be able to make custom soles for different feet sized on the spot for customers.
There are only 300 pairs of these sneakers available currently throughout the world. But a wider release will be made official sometime later on this year. The company is planning to release at least 5,000 pairs of the sneakers by the end of this year and at least 10,000 by the end of 2018. In fact, the company is hoping to continue the 3D printing based technology mode of manufacturing right up until 2021. To start with, a pair will be a little more expensive than the general price that buyers are used to, but the cost should lessen as time goes by.
This particular product is not just a concept or a showcase of Adidas’s prowess in 3D printing. The company had made 50 iterations of the sneakers before a final agreeable option was settled upon. Compared to its competition like Nike and Under Armour who are also making 3D printed prototypes, Adidas is jumping ahead of them in the race.
The sneakers were unveiled on April 6 by the company in New York and had also offered a few trial pairs for testing. Suffice to say, Adidas know what they are doing and betting big on product like this might actually pay off in the long “run”.
COMMENTS