3D print technique and material for running shoes
Nike yesterday launched for the first time a 3D print technique and material for running shoes: the Flyprint. This enables Nike to convert athletes’ data into new textile configurations. This way they can achieve enormously performance-oriented running shoes to make the fastest athletes even faster.
How does it work?
The development process of the Flyknit upper shoe starts with the registration of athletes data. Subsequently, the ideal composition of the material is determined on the basis of the combination of these data. With this information the Flyknit upper shoe is produced. The product can thus be totally tailored to the needs of the athlete in question.
Advantage
In this way, the shoes are not only unique, but also the process is faster and more precise. The advantage of 3D textile printing technology compared to 2D textile printing technique is the increased dynamic power. The material is manufactured on the basis of fusion, where a woven textile, for example, frictional resistance is created between the interwoven yarns, printed textile has more precision due to the fused points. It is also lighter and breathes more than the fabrics previously used by Nike. In short, the Flyprint technique only has benefits for the athlete.
Kipchoge
The Nike Flyprint shoes are made for the world’s fastest long-distance runners to promote their performance. Eliud Kipchoge will be the first in the world to wear the Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite Flyprint during the London marathon (held on Sunday, April 22), just like Mo Farah. The shoe is 11 grams lighter than the Kipchoge pair last year.