The newly announced Adidas Futurecraft 4D sneaker promises to be "the first step in remodeling the footwear industry." That's because the new shoe, which is set to be released in the autumn of 2017, will be crafted through a special 3D printing technique that brings all the benefits of the technology while still having the potential to scale up for consumer use.
Since its inception, the shoe industry has been forced to adhere to a one-size-fits-all system. Of course, shoes come in several sizes, but such a system is inherently rigid. With 3D printing, shoes can be made to the precise measurements of each consumer. The issue is that 3D printing was previously too cumbersome to work on a broad scale. Adidas Futurecraft 4D shoes uses a 3D printing technique involving ultraviolet light to make the process more practical.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Customized-shoes
- 3D printing allows for personalized shoe designs that fit the precise measurements of each consumer.
- Scaling-up-3d-printing
- The Adidas Futurecraft 4D shoe showcases the potential to scale up 3D printing for consumer use in the footwear industry.
- Innovation-in-footwear-manufacturing
- The use of ultraviolet light in the 3D printing process opens up possibilities for disruptive innovation in manufacturing techniques for shoes.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Footwear
- The Adidas Futurecraft 4D shoe is set to reshape the footwear industry by offering personalized shoes crafted through 3D printing.
- 3d-printing
- The footwear industry can potentially benefit from advancements in 3D printing, particularly in custom shoe manufacturing.
- Manufacturing
- The use of ultraviolet light in the 3D printing process for shoes presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the manufacturing sector.
