3D Printed Shoes
Product Design
This is an experiment in zero-waste production, utilizing HALS technology, similar to SLA, for 3D printed shoes.
Background
A project in 2021. During the manufacturing process of a product, many materials are sorted and removed, which is why I have been exploring a near-zero waste processing method. The 3D printed shoes this time are fully printed as a single piece, from the sole to the upper, utilizing different lattice structures to achieve various performance and stress distribution in different areas of the shoe.
Observation
The development speed of 3D printing technology has always been limited by the development of printing materials. I began to pay attention to the application of 3D printing in footwear products ten years ago, but until the last five years that the development of various elastomeric materials began to make this idea feasible.
Objectives
Using 3D printing technology to create a pair of one-piece molded shoes made entirely from a single material, aiming to achieve as close to zero waste as possible.
Process
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Research
I attended a 3D printing exhibition where I collected information on suppliers that can provide elastomeric materials for 3D printing. I learned that Adidas uses powder bed fusion SLS technology to make the soles, which is a patented technology, so there is also the option of photopolymerization SLA.
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Solutions
I designed a slipper shape, as this category has low functional requirements, making it suitable for my first attempt at using 3D printing technology. I first used 3D software to define the overall spatial outline of the shoe, then handed it over to the factory's technicians to draw the internal lattice structure and print it. After several fittings, I adjusted the hardness of the sole to an appropriate level and designed the midsole to be ergonomically suitable.
sample test
Results
The final product printed of 10 pairs, which was a successful outcome, and I gained valuable experience in the development of 3D printed products. However, I believe that the current material development is not yet perfect. Since the printing materials cannot achieve the foaming effect of conventional shoe soles, if the entire shoe is 3D printed, it tends to be relatively heavy, which reduces its practicality.
final product