While additive manufacturing’s progress has been a little slower when it comes to consumer goods compared to other industries, companies like HP are proving its value for mass personalization of custom footwear. Its success has led New Balance to partner with HP and Superfeet, an insole specialist, to offer custom, 3D-printed insoles.
Superfeet Fiststation, powered by HP.
“Together with partners like Superfeet we are helping the world’s leading footwear companies take full advantage of digital manufacturing, create innovative designs, improve workflows, and deliver individualized products,” said Philipp Jung, general manager and global head of Vertical Industries & End-to-End Applications, 3D Printing & Digital Manufacturing, HP Inc. “Improving efficiency, enabling sustainable impact and expanding production applications is critical to transforming industries. From consumers to elite college and professional athletes, we are committed to work with our partners and customers to deliver game changing footwear.”
The collaboration allows for the creation of individually customized insoles using biometric data, 3D printing and innovative materials. They will be produced using the Fitstation platform, which involves 3D-foot scanning and gait analysis. It can help determine the best density and torsion for footwear, making it ideal for a spectrum of users from high-performance to recovery.
That personalized biometric data is used to 3D print insoles using HP’s Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing system. Available since 2014, it offers the speed and versatility to work with robust materials, as well as can potentially produce thousands of prints a week. Select New Balance stores will offer on-demand insoles printed in the store.
“Once again, we are working closely with HP to help drive the footwear industry forward,” said John Rauvola, CEO and President of Superfeet. “We share a vision to not only disrupt an industry but to also have a positive impact on people’s lives. HP innovation is critical to our ability to provide one-of-a-kind comfort and support for people around the world.”
The New Balance fit station.
The safety and overall enhancement of footwear are also on HP’s radar. The company has partnered with SteitzSecura, a safety shoe specialist, and Volumental, a developer of complementary technology, to further enhance gait data collection for optimizing insoles creation.
Interested in learning more about the future of additive manufacturing and how it is making an impact across industries? Check out AM & Design: New Possibilities Unlocked with 3D Printing and 2020 Predictions: 3D Printing.