As we reported at the time, Adidas began working in 2017 with an American 3D-printing start-up called Carbon to produce midsoles for the Futurecraft 4D model with a proprietary technique called Digital Light Synthesis (DLS). Now, to help with the Covid-19 pandemic, the two companies are using the same technique to 3D-print face shields for medical personnel, first responders and “underserved communities” in the U.S. Like the midsoles, the face shields consist of a “highly elastic, tear-resistant material called Elastomeric Polyurethane,” which can be sanitized and reused. According to Adidas, Carbon has been able to increase its weekly production from 18,000 to 50,000 shields and is sharing the print files online for the use of anyone with a Carbon printer. The files and a face-shield request form are available at https://www.carbon3d.com/covid19/.

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