- The 3D printed shoe showcases the potential of the revolutionary new footwear manufacturing concept.
HP, the creator of Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology, collaborated with Decathlon, one of the world’s largest sports companies, and Lonati Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of circular knitting machines, to present a 3D printed shoe as a concept at the ITMA trade show in Milan.
The companies are working together to present an innovative and sustainable approach to footwear manufacturing that is set to reshape the industry. This collaboration paves the way for a future of sustainable footwear production by leveraging the power of advanced technologies such as HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology and Lonati’s knitting machines for uppers.
3D Printed Shoe
Traditionally, footwear production necessitates a large number of parts, adhesive materials, and a large workforce. However, by leveraging the power of 3D printing, HP, Lonati Group, and Decathlon are revolutionising the process. They have created a 3D printed shoe that embodies the future of footwear manufacturing with their latest innovation. This unique shoe combines Lonati’s meticulously crafted sock with an innovative midsole and outsole created with HP’s cutting-edge 3D printer.
The XT-MACHINE and Double Cylinder E1530XS knitting machines from Lonati enable the production of uppers with single- or double-layer fabric, resulting in an integrated upper with unrivalled comfort, lightness, performance, and quality.
The midsole and outsole of the shoe are produced by HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 printer, demonstrating the cutting-edge capabilities of 3D printing technology. These components are made of BASF Ultrasint TPU01 material, a versatile thermoplastic polyurethane powder known for excellent shock absorption and flexibility.
Revolutionizing the Sports Footwear Industry
Decathlon and HP are revolutionising the sports footwear industry by combining these advanced materials and technologies, paving the way for innovative designs that provide unparalleled comfort, durability, and performance. The companies intend to share a key message through this collaboration, focusing on the benefits of 3D printing and digital knitting for industrial-level manufacturing and emphasising the following key points:
- Customization: The shoe is highly customizable, allowing customers to tailor the footwear to their specific preferences and requirements.
- Circularity and repairability: The shoe can be easily repaired in case of damage, as the cushion and upper parts can be separated, allowing targeted repairs without the need to discard the entire shoe. This not only extends the product’s life but also reduces waste. Furthermore, the use of a single material, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), for the grip and cushion parts increases the shoe’s recyclability, all of which contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly product life cycle.
- Local production: 3D printing allows the shoe to be produced locally, reducing transportation emissions and supporting local economies.
- Flexibility: The manufacturing process enables optimised inventory and on-demand production, resulting in waste reduction.
“We are excited to partner with HP’s Customization and 3D Printing division and the Lonati Group on this project that exemplifies our commitment to sustainability. By utilizing the potential of 3D printing, we are revolutionizing the shoe manufacturing process by offering consumers customized, recyclable and locally produced footwear.”
– Phillipe Seille, Exploration Leader at Decathlon
Don Albert, head of Footwear and Sports at HP Personalization & 3D Printing, added, “HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology is enabling a new era of sustainable and innovative manufacturing. We are proud to partner with Decathlon to show the immense potential of 3D printing in contributing to a more sustainable approach to manufacturing.”
The expertise of Lonati Group in footwear technology is perfectly aligned with these important shared values of sustainability.
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