US athletic brand New Balance
is using the latest 3D printing technology to produce customised spike
plates on the soles of its high performance running shoes - and says the
highly specialised process could contribute to the expansion of its US
labour force.
The Boston-based firm, which manufactures 25% of its US footwear shipments at five New England facilities, is also looking at 3D printing of softer components that mimic the cushioning properties of foam midsoles. "With 3D printing we are able to pursue performance customisation at a new level to help our elite NB athletes and eventually all athletes," says New Balance president and CEO Robert DeMartini. "We believe this is the future of performance footwear and we are excited to bring this to consumers." The spike plates are currently created for New Balance's elite, sponsored athletes, including current 1500m World Champion gold medallist Jenny Barringer Simpson, 2012 US Olympic athlete Kim Conley, and 2012 Great Britain Olympic Athlete Barbara Parker. They are produced following an analysis of each runner's individual biomechanical data, which the New Balance Sports Research Lab collects using a force plate, in-shoe sensors and a motion capture system. Advanced algorithms and software are then applied to translate this data into custom 3D printed spike designs. For the production of the custom plates, New Balance uses selective laser sintering (SLS) to convert powder materials into solid cross-sections, layer by layer using a laser. SLS printing enables the customisation process by allowing for complex designs that could not be achieved through traditional manufacturing methods. The process also "greatly accelerates" the turnaround time from design to functional part. "Developing our printing capabilities could ultimately help us further invest in the American worker by adding highly technical positions to our already skilled labour force in Massachusetts and Maine," DeMartini added. 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that creates a solid 3D finished product by building up successive layers of material in slightly different shapes. (just-style)
The Boston-based firm, which manufactures 25% of its US footwear shipments at five New England facilities, is also looking at 3D printing of softer components that mimic the cushioning properties of foam midsoles. "With 3D printing we are able to pursue performance customisation at a new level to help our elite NB athletes and eventually all athletes," says New Balance president and CEO Robert DeMartini. "We believe this is the future of performance footwear and we are excited to bring this to consumers." The spike plates are currently created for New Balance's elite, sponsored athletes, including current 1500m World Champion gold medallist Jenny Barringer Simpson, 2012 US Olympic athlete Kim Conley, and 2012 Great Britain Olympic Athlete Barbara Parker. They are produced following an analysis of each runner's individual biomechanical data, which the New Balance Sports Research Lab collects using a force plate, in-shoe sensors and a motion capture system. Advanced algorithms and software are then applied to translate this data into custom 3D printed spike designs. For the production of the custom plates, New Balance uses selective laser sintering (SLS) to convert powder materials into solid cross-sections, layer by layer using a laser. SLS printing enables the customisation process by allowing for complex designs that could not be achieved through traditional manufacturing methods. The process also "greatly accelerates" the turnaround time from design to functional part. "Developing our printing capabilities could ultimately help us further invest in the American worker by adding highly technical positions to our already skilled labour force in Massachusetts and Maine," DeMartini added. 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that creates a solid 3D finished product by building up successive layers of material in slightly different shapes. (just-style)
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