World Footwear

Innovation

adidas introduces new 3D-printing process

Apr 10, 2017 Germany

adidas unveils Futurecraft 4D

adidas has joined forces with Carbon, a Silicon Valley startup, to move 3D printing shoes from prototypes into mainstream retail

Carbon uses light-sensitive plastics in their 3D printing process. Their technology reduces the time it takes to print the shoe's sole from an hour and a half to something like an impressive 20 minutes.

This unique process to create them uses light to fix the materials into lattice designed soles and could allow the company to tailor make shoes perfectly fitted to the feet, producing small production runs, limited edition shoes and even soles designed to fit an individual's weight and gait.

The German sportswear brand hope that their Futurecraft 4D trainers - made using the process - could be in the market before the end of the year.

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