I have a desktop 3D printer at home and use it occasionally for various sculptural investigations. It cost several hundred dollars and requires me to replenish it with spools of material and an occasional replacement tip.
The first time I utilized the technology was more than 20 years ago, when it was lesser known and largely hidden from the public eye. At that time a high-quality machine cost more than $500,000 and required specialized training to operate. I partnered with a lab at Georgia Tech — grabbing unused machine time between funded research projects. I read scholarly articles about mass customization and how the technology was going to revolutionize manufacturing. Although this still may be true, the wheels of progress often require a great deal of patience and persistence. The inertia of existing technologies and processes are sticky and powerful forces that slow down any technological adoption. Existing manufacturing infrastructure that has achieved scale constitutes a huge investment of time and treasure. This massive investment can’t simply be abandoned or transformed quickly.
Our transition to clean energy sources, for example, is complex with many moving parts and will take decades to realize. Even when technological transitions are complete there are always ways to utilize the older technology. So, I suspect the fossil fuel industry will adapt and survive — just in a diminished capacity. This is why I was surprised, encouraged and delighted to see Adidas’ new running shoe. It utilizes 3D printing technology to manufacture a midsole. What is exciting is that the design could not have been practically produced any other way. It is an intercut lattice that is designed to propel the runner forward with every stride – transforming each impact into forward motion. This appears to be an ideal application for this technology and represents the promise of many predictions for this technology. If I were in the market for a running shoe, I would definitely try them on for size.
interesting blog on 3d tech….thanks again for your academic willingness to explore and share with others…I always get something and look forward when your weekly reports show up in my box…I immediately went to ADIDAS webpage and bought those shoes!!!….seems you should get some credit!!! I’m very excited to get them and try them out…no research on my part beyond your informed writing 🙂 I wll say something on my GOOGLE REVIEW unless you guide me to remain silent about learning about this shoe from your blog?