Helmets<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nHelmets provide some of the most important protection when engaging in any physical activity and require extensive testing in shock absorption and shell deflection to meet safety standards. Customization can allow for better comfort, fit and safety for each individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bicycle Helmets<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nHexr, an English company, has specialized in making custom 3D printed bike helmets<\/a> that use 3D scanning to perfectly fit the curvature of the wearer\u2019s head. It features a highly breathable honeycomb structure (as opposed to a typical foam insulation) made from renewable materials and an interchangeable outer shell. According to Folksam\u2019s bicycle helmet testing<\/a>, it outperforms standard safety performances by 30%.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFootball Helmets<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIn sports like American football, where head injuries can be more common, continuing to upgrade helmet safety to reduce this possibility is paramount. For an NFL helmet design competition<\/a> to produce better head protection for players, many of the contestants and designers turned to 3D scanning and printing to create their version of the next best helmet. Each aimed to reduce concussions and create shock absorbent layers perfectly tailored to the player\u2019s head contour. Similar to footwear, the customized padding used as a protective layer inside the helmets often feature a lattice structure that can be thicker in places where protection is more important. The NFL has said that the best and safest prototype, once it has proven to outperform current models, would be worn by players as early as July 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOther Protective Gear<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n3D printing\u2019s customization power paired with sturdy materials make it suitable for any number of other protective pieces to be made with this technology. Being able to scan a player\u2019s face or body means that they can have their own personalized and perfectly fitted mouth guards, shin guards, protection masks and more. Austrian company Zweikampf<\/a> has produced lightweight 3D printed shin guards that feature a Y structure that disperses shock across the entire guard instead of just one point and can be personalized with a player\u2019s name and jersey number for added customization. <\/p>\n\n\n\nErgonomic Customization for a Perfect Fit <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAthletic Footwear<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nComfort, ergonomics\nand performance are the most important aspects of an athlete\u2019s footwear and the\nuse of 3D scanning and printing emphasizes each of these by offering a\ncompletely custom fit.
\n Instead of relying on\nmainstream half-integer measurements, 3D customized shoes can fit each of a\nperson\u2019s feet closer than ever before. By utilizing 3D scanning technology it\nis possible to capture the exact length, width and volume, arch contour, and\ntoe spacing, as well as take into account the person\u2019s body weight, and what\nkind of impact their particular sport or activity will be placing on the shoes.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the ways 3D printing is integrated into footwear is through the creation of lattice midsoles. The midsoles are designed to fit a desired performance and printed according to the exact specifications of the 3D scan to fit the wearer\u2019s feet perfectly. The density of the lattice structure can be altered to different levels throughout the shoe to create custom cushioning as needed to maximize shock absorption and rebound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having a material that is lightweight, flexible and durable is crucial to creating the proper balance in athletic footwear. Versatile materials like TPU01<\/a> from BASF’s Forward AM material portfolio allow for complex geometries like lattice structures and provide impact absorption that prevents injury, making it an ideal choice for footwear. <\/p>\n\n\n\nParalympic Equipment and Accessories<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nProsthetics<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nWe\u2019ve seen how 3D printing has contributed to advancements in the comfort and fit of prosthetics, as well as increased affordability, and this includes adapted sports prosthetics as well. German paralympic cyclist Denise Schindler partnered with Autodesk to create a polycarbonate prosthetic <\/a>customized to fit her perfectly and attach to the pedals of her bicycle. Paul Sohi, the product designer working on the prosthetic, used 3D scans of her residual limb to prototype several versions of the prosthetic to create the most aerodynamic version possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWheelchair Sports Accessories<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nEquipment for wheelchair sports like seats and racing gloves benefit hugely from the ability to scan and customize with 3D printing technology as well. The first 3D printed wheelchair seats<\/a> were available to players in the 2012 Paralympic wheelchair basketball games, developed by Loughborough University’s Sports Technology Institute. The players were scanned and their seats were customized based on their body\u2019s specifications. A player with a spinal cord injury, for example, could have a seat with an attachment to support their lower back. As a bonus benefit, the 3D printed seats ended up weighing a kilo less than standard seats. Similarly, customized 3D printed wheelchair racing gloves, like those created by Ingenium<\/a>, can provide improved ergonomics and durability. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPersonalized Equipment that Suits Your Taste and Technique<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGolf Clubs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOther sports equipment can be customized to improve weight distribution, grip and appearance to suit the player. Several golf companies have begun using additive manufacturing to make precise alterations to their clubs and other equipment. Grismont Paris offers custom golf club heads that can be finished in either gold, copper or metal to suit the player\u2019s aesthetic preferences. Nike has also prototyped a golf ball<\/a> in which the typical elastomeric inner core and rigid outer shell more seamlessly transitions with the use of 3D printing along with a new geometric configuration called a \u201cvoid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nTennis Rackets<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nUnstrung Customs<\/a> produces customizable racket pallets that allow customers to choose their grip size and pallet shape. Where usually players might have their grips sanded to achieve their desired shape, Unstrung Customs designs the perfect shape from the beginning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n3D Printed US Olympic Team Sled<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe 3D printed sleds<\/a> produced for the US Olympic team for the 23rd winter games in Pyeongchang were the result of many tested designs that ultimately came to fit the exact specifications of the athlete\u2019s bodies creating a higher level of comfort, aerodynamics and performance. Chris Mazdzer secured the first US gold medal aboard one his own custom 3D printed sled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe realm of possibilities that 3D printing technology allows for will change the game in any athletic arena. Customization is not just a matter of picking out favorite colors. It can radically improve athletic performance by providing better comfort and protection. It also means that tailor-made gear can be more affordable and accessible to all athletes of all experience levels. Want to learn more about how you can work with Shapeways to utilize this technology? Get in touch today<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hexr, an English company, has specialized in making custom 3D printed bike helmets<\/a> that use 3D scanning to perfectly fit the curvature of the wearer\u2019s head. It features a highly breathable honeycomb structure (as opposed to a typical foam insulation) made from renewable materials and an interchangeable outer shell. According to Folksam\u2019s bicycle helmet testing<\/a>, it outperforms standard safety performances by 30%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In sports like American football, where head injuries can be more common, continuing to upgrade helmet safety to reduce this possibility is paramount. For an NFL helmet design competition<\/a> to produce better head protection for players, many of the contestants and designers turned to 3D scanning and printing to create their version of the next best helmet. Each aimed to reduce concussions and create shock absorbent layers perfectly tailored to the player\u2019s head contour. Similar to footwear, the customized padding used as a protective layer inside the helmets often feature a lattice structure that can be thicker in places where protection is more important. The NFL has said that the best and safest prototype, once it has proven to outperform current models, would be worn by players as early as July 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3D printing\u2019s customization power paired with sturdy materials make it suitable for any number of other protective pieces to be made with this technology. Being able to scan a player\u2019s face or body means that they can have their own personalized and perfectly fitted mouth guards, shin guards, protection masks and more. Austrian company Zweikampf<\/a> has produced lightweight 3D printed shin guards that feature a Y structure that disperses shock across the entire guard instead of just one point and can be personalized with a player\u2019s name and jersey number for added customization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Comfort, ergonomics\nand performance are the most important aspects of an athlete\u2019s footwear and the\nuse of 3D scanning and printing emphasizes each of these by offering a\ncompletely custom fit. One of the ways 3D printing is integrated into footwear is through the creation of lattice midsoles. The midsoles are designed to fit a desired performance and printed according to the exact specifications of the 3D scan to fit the wearer\u2019s feet perfectly. The density of the lattice structure can be altered to different levels throughout the shoe to create custom cushioning as needed to maximize shock absorption and rebound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a material that is lightweight, flexible and durable is crucial to creating the proper balance in athletic footwear. Versatile materials like TPU01<\/a> from BASF’s Forward AM material portfolio allow for complex geometries like lattice structures and provide impact absorption that prevents injury, making it an ideal choice for footwear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve seen how 3D printing has contributed to advancements in the comfort and fit of prosthetics, as well as increased affordability, and this includes adapted sports prosthetics as well. German paralympic cyclist Denise Schindler partnered with Autodesk to create a polycarbonate prosthetic <\/a>customized to fit her perfectly and attach to the pedals of her bicycle. Paul Sohi, the product designer working on the prosthetic, used 3D scans of her residual limb to prototype several versions of the prosthetic to create the most aerodynamic version possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Equipment for wheelchair sports like seats and racing gloves benefit hugely from the ability to scan and customize with 3D printing technology as well. The first 3D printed wheelchair seats<\/a> were available to players in the 2012 Paralympic wheelchair basketball games, developed by Loughborough University’s Sports Technology Institute. The players were scanned and their seats were customized based on their body\u2019s specifications. A player with a spinal cord injury, for example, could have a seat with an attachment to support their lower back. As a bonus benefit, the 3D printed seats ended up weighing a kilo less than standard seats. Similarly, customized 3D printed wheelchair racing gloves, like those created by Ingenium<\/a>, can provide improved ergonomics and durability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Other sports equipment can be customized to improve weight distribution, grip and appearance to suit the player. Several golf companies have begun using additive manufacturing to make precise alterations to their clubs and other equipment. Grismont Paris offers custom golf club heads that can be finished in either gold, copper or metal to suit the player\u2019s aesthetic preferences. Nike has also prototyped a golf ball<\/a> in which the typical elastomeric inner core and rigid outer shell more seamlessly transitions with the use of 3D printing along with a new geometric configuration called a \u201cvoid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unstrung Customs<\/a> produces customizable racket pallets that allow customers to choose their grip size and pallet shape. Where usually players might have their grips sanded to achieve their desired shape, Unstrung Customs designs the perfect shape from the beginning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 3D printed sleds<\/a> produced for the US Olympic team for the 23rd winter games in Pyeongchang were the result of many tested designs that ultimately came to fit the exact specifications of the athlete\u2019s bodies creating a higher level of comfort, aerodynamics and performance. Chris Mazdzer secured the first US gold medal aboard one his own custom 3D printed sled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The realm of possibilities that 3D printing technology allows for will change the game in any athletic arena. Customization is not just a matter of picking out favorite colors. It can radically improve athletic performance by providing better comfort and protection. It also means that tailor-made gear can be more affordable and accessible to all athletes of all experience levels. Want to learn more about how you can work with Shapeways to utilize this technology? Get in touch today<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFootball Helmets<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Other Protective Gear<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Ergonomic Customization for a Perfect Fit <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Athletic Footwear<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n Instead of relying on\nmainstream half-integer measurements, 3D customized shoes can fit each of a\nperson\u2019s feet closer than ever before. By utilizing 3D scanning technology it\nis possible to capture the exact length, width and volume, arch contour, and\ntoe spacing, as well as take into account the person\u2019s body weight, and what\nkind of impact their particular sport or activity will be placing on the shoes.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\nParalympic Equipment and Accessories<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prosthetics<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Wheelchair Sports Accessories<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Personalized Equipment that Suits Your Taste and Technique<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Golf Clubs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Tennis Rackets<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3D Printed US Olympic Team Sled<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
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