3D printing technology is putting two competitors on the fast track to remarkably rapid production while upping the ante for sustainability. Adidas and Nike are both using 3D printing to create prototype versions of new footwear products. The technology makes it possible to "print and modify prototype plastic soles with studs, or cleats, for football and running shoes," reports the Financial Times.
Nike's Innovation Director Shane Kohatsu told FT, "Within six months we were able to go through twelve rounds of prototype iterations that we fully tested, and ultimately we were able to make super dramatic improvements to our products." There are no current plans to use the technology to mass produce shoes, but that could be down the road. "What's really intriguing for us is not the volumes that you can make," said Kohatsu. "It's really more how rapidly you can make changes."
Adidas has seen similar benefits, informing FT that 3D printers have cut the evaluation time for a new prototype to a few days from four to six weeks. While Adidas previously relied on prototypes handmade by twelve technicians, they can now produce prototypes with two people.
3D prototyping is not only fast, it's "green." That's because it minimizes the amount of material used, according to 3D Systems Corporation, one of the leading makers of 3D printers: "By its very nature 3D printing and additive manufacturing create products, parts and assemblies one layer at a time using only the necessary amount of material required for each process. Our technologies replace traditional approaches which subtract materials, creating waste as products, parts, or assemblies are built."
3D printing is an emerging technology that is currently being used in a wide variety of applications—everything from making medical miracles to creating bikinis, clocks and hybrid cars. The use of 3D printing by Adidas and Nike for protoyping may be a bit more tame, but it is indicative of how makers of consumer products can put the new technology to good use.
The addition of the revolutionary technology is just a small piece in the puzzle that earned Adidas and Nike top 50 ranking on Interbrand's Best Global Green Brands report. Adidas, which ranked No. 15, aims to go "all in on sustainability and expand eco-first thinking throughout the organization," according to the report, while Nike, which was ranked No. 31, has made environmental sustainability "a core component" of its business strategy and has "driven innovation in products and supply chain practices."
Disclosure: Interbrand is the parent company of brandchannel.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment