First Fully SLS and FDM 3D Printed Sneakers using TPU

First Fully SLS and FDM 3D Printed Sneakers using TPU

facfox-case-study
Process 3D Print, 3D Print
Material Rubber
Quantity 3 pcs
Price Range $100-1,000
Lead Time 12 workdays

Gallery

About Project

Chinese sportswear brand PEAK Sports Products introduced a new model of fully 3D printed sneakers – upper, midsole, and outsole – in the domestic Chinese market. The first 600 pairs of the new FUTURE FUSION PEAK3D sneakers were briefly available on the company’s online store, on July 5th, for 1,299 Yuan (about $190) and sold out in a matter of seconds.

The sole of the show is produced using SLS and a TPU material, leveraging a new, mostly hollow structure. The upper – and this is the big news – is 3D printed by thermoplastic filament extrusion, also using a TPU material, for transparent texture mesh effect. Three different color schemes were presented.

PEAK’s new 3D printed upper is made leveraging a melt-extruded filament 3D printing technology. The TPU wire is extruded through a heated nozzle and stacked in layers.

Solution

  • Step 1: 3D modeling the upper and sole of the sneakers.
  • Step 2: Produce the sole with SLS 3D printing technology using TPU powders. The midsole has a mesh structure, which absorbs vibration while decreases the weight of the shoes.
  • Step 3: Print the upper part with FDM 3D printers using TPU filaments. The melton TPU wire is extruded and creates a translucent fabric-like effect.
  • Step 4: Glue the parts together using a special flexible glue.