A new manufacturing process looks set to bring mass production to tailor-made shoes that can be built layer by layer from a 3-D footprint. First to benefit will be professional soccer players, who are to be given tailor-printed boots offering more protection.
London-based company Prior 2 Lever, launching the system in April, will first scan a player’s feet by laser to obtain a digital model.
Next the player carries out a series of exercises wearing a force-recording insole called a pedar. A template is then produced for the sole and stud arrangement around which the rest of the boot is based.
The blueprint is then converted into the finished boot using a technique developed by University College London researcher Siavash Mahdavi. The 3-D design is replicated by laser printer.
The aim is to take the technique to shops which could print a pair of custom shoes in just a few hours.
Suggested retail?
awesome…. I was always surprised at the delay in mass producing custom made clothing/shoes given the technology easily exists for it.
Many people do not fit in “rack” sizes. As for shoes, I have an odd arch, and it’s very hard to find shoes that fit well.