Adidas crafting the future
Recently adidas has been killing the game.
On April 7 2017, the company premiered Futurecraft4D, it’s innovative alternate composed material shoe.
The sneaker has a midsole crafted with light and oxygen using Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis technology. Officially marking the transition from traditional 3D printing into a new dimension.
There are no need for prototype moulds and it honestly looks to redefine the limits of high performance footwear manufacturing.
Initially Boost was Adidas’ big footwear mainstay but this collaboration with Carbon could once again put Adidas in even higher regard than it already is. Only recently has Nike released the VapourMax to try to claw back the fans that Boost tour away.
The sole itself doesn’t even look printed at first glance.
Digital Light Synthesis uses light projection, oxygen-permeable optics and liquid resins that can be programmed and tinkered to print a sole.
Adidas is able to utilise this unique process and control every part of manufacturing. Footwear can now be tailored for performance matching the desired needs of an individual but only requiring the adjustment of printing parameters.
Eric Leidtke talked about how this will unlock a “new era of design and manufacturing. One driven by athlete data and agile manufacturing processes.”
A larger release of approximately 5000 pairs is set for Autumn/Winter 2017 and for sure we will be on the look out to try to catch a pair to assess in an offstreet fashion post.
The CEO of carbon, Dr Joseph Desimone, wants this collaboration to show the improvements that this technology can make on the product development cycle. Moving away from: design, prototype, tool and produce. “Making it possible to go directly from design to production”
No doubt Adidas is excited by this opportunity as shoe manufacturing needed an exciting next step. Originality in the sneaker market is rewarded by long term custom and appreciation from fans. Other brands better be watching or have something up their sleeves as at the moment Adidas seem to be doing everything right.
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