3D printing to make pro athletes run faster?

3D NEWS> 3D PRINTING

Footwear and apparel company Nike believes 3D printing technology can speed up athletic performance

Although Nike have used 3D printing for prototyping for years, this will be the first time the technology will be incorporated into a final product. The 5.6 oz. Nike Vapor Laser Talon is the name of a professional cleat (Cleats are known as studs in the UK but in this case there are an external attachment to the shoe, designed for optimal traction on football turf and to help athletes maintain their “drive stance” longer.)

Nike designers worked with gold medal sprinter Michael Johnson to understand how he and his team train football athletes for the 40.  This 40-yard  (36.58 m) dash is used to test the speed of American football players.

According to MJP Performance Director, Lance Walker, an athlete’s “Zero Step” is a pivotal point that can make or break an athlete’s 40 time. In the moments before that first step hits the turf, his propulsion and acceleration speed are determined. At that point, it’s all about geometry.

“Nike’s new 3D printed plate is contoured to allow football athletes to maintain their drive position longer and more efficiently, helping them accelerate faster through the critical first 10 yards of the 40” said Johnson. “Translated to the game of football, mastering the Zero Step can mean the difference between a defensive lineman sacking the quarterback or getting blocked.”

Engineers used the highest end of 3D printing techniques – Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), to manufacture the plate.  It is the most expensive form of 3D printing and Nike used the high powered laser to bond molecules of a proprietary material selection together to build up high definition shapes.

The result was a fully functional plate and traction system within a fraction of the traditional timeframe and of the weight.

According to the Nike website: “The SLS process allows for the engineering and creation of shapes not possible with traditional manufacturing processes, as well as the ability to make design updates within hours instead of months to truly accelerate the innovation process to never seen speeds." 

For those who are more fashion than performance conscious fashion/tech company Continuum retails customisable shoes constructed with 3D printed nylon. The Strvct (structure) line of footwear ranges from platform to pump designs and anything in between.

By using 3D printed nylon, the delicate looking forms are very strong while also being super lightweight. However, you will need a spare $900 to get a pair of Strvct shoes on your feet, making digitally designed 3D printed footwear a luxurious option for now.

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