The sport footwear industry's abundant investments in 3D printing are set to take shape in the market: After a spate of footwear design and manufacturing innovations announced by Nike and Adidas in the last months, New Balance says it will be launching the first running shoe with a 3D printed midsole in Boston in April.
New Balance has been moving toward 3D production through an exclusive partnership with 3D Systems, the company behind Duraform Flex TPU, a new elastomeric powder. Employees at 3D Systems will wear the shoes and show them at the company's booth at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. After the launch in Boston in April, the shoes will be available at a selection of New Balance stores around the world.
The midsoles combine 3D printing with breakthroughs in materials science, to allow for the combination of flexibility, strength, light weight and durability required for running footwear. The production involves a process called selective laser sintering, which converts new powder materials into solid cross-sections, layer by layer, using a laser.
New Balance boasts that, two years ago, it was the first athletic brand to have a track athlete, the middle distance runner Jack Bolas, compete with data-customized, 3D printed spike plates. Other New Balance athletes have since competed in customized printed plates, and the company has also created customized soccer cleats and baseball spikes for its top endorsees. Aaron Ramsey from Arsenal wore such boots with printed plates in the FA Cup Final in May.
