ADIDAS FUTURECRAFT 4D MID SERIES

This range is a marvel in itself particularly due to the complex midsole structure made possible by Carbon’s proprietary 3D printing technology called Digital Light Synthesis™ (DLS).Ĭarbon is one of the fastest-growing 3D printing Startups in the world and its proprietary DLS™ technology is a step ahead of the competition giving an edge to whoever uses it.Īdidas has found great value in this partnership as the collaboration has led to the launch of multiple 3D printed shoes and also helped in developing some custom materials to enhance product quality.

ADIDAS FUTURECRAFT 4D MID SERIES

One such important partnership is with Carbon – the world’s leading Digital Manufacturing Platform, to manufacture a 3D printed footwear series – the Futurecraft 4D (also Alphaedge 4D range later). Adidas has brought 3D printing in the footwear industry by making multiple partnerships. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPSĪbove: Adidas created Y-3 Runner 4D II Sneakers with Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto/Image Credit: Y-3Īdidas has always believed in building partnerships to leverage individual expertise to bring new products for the customer. It is interesting to note that it took merely 11 months from the time Adidas and Carbon first met in January 2013 to launch Futurecraft 4D. The first product was sold out and was a great success that served as a proof of acceptance by its customers. But the advantages were too strong to let go and so they went forward with the technology and test it out in short limited editions to bring out a revolutionary product to the market and let the customers decide about the success of 3D printing. For a company like Adidas that manufactures millions of pairs of shoes per year, 3D printing had severe limitations on the speed and volume of manufacturing. This was a step towards personalisation.īut as much as it was exciting to see the magic happening in front of their eyes, the technology also exposed some of its limitations. A pattern that can be structured according to the individual wearing the shoe. The biomechanical data collected from its users over the years could be analysed and turned into a customised mid-sole pattern.

They worked on developing a 3D printed shoe that can be manufactured on-demand to suit the customers’ demand but also deliver superior performance.ģD printing allowed Adidas to make real use of the data sets of their users and convert this data into a physical product. With this trust, both the companies’ combined their forces to start their journey towards manufacturing the first-ever 3D printed footwear.

The mindset of manufacturing products in a certain way and getting comfortable in the same has created a very strong resistance to change and adopt better technology.Īdidas knew that to introduce 3D printing in the footwear industry it has to trust a new technology and so from the better part of the last decade as spent on learning about the 3D printing technology.Īdidas decided to use DLS™ 3D printing technology, developed and patented by Carbon, one of the fastest-growing 3D printing Startups in the world. The main barrier to adoption to 3D printing, contrary to popular belief, is the ‘Mindset of Leaders’. TRUSTING NEW TECHNOLOGYĪbove: Carbon L1 lined up in its lab/Image Credit: CarbonģD printing has been around for more than three decades but it is still being developed and companies are finding new applications for it. This is the core innovation philosophy that has led the company to bring 3D printing in the footwear industry and its growing 3D printed footwear line FutureCraft 4D, Alphaedge 4D, Y-3 Runner 4D II Sneakers, 4D Run 1.0, and more is a testament to that fact. Approaching the innovation challenge from an environmental perspective helps Adidas make products that are better for consumers and better for the planet, too. Innovations like focusing on thinner or lighter materials resulting in reduced waste and the carbon footprint, dry-dyeing clothes to save water, chemicals & energy are commonplace at Adidas. And so to keep the carbon footprint at its lowest, Adidas regularly runs programs to reduce carbon emissions from all its products. These factors also affect the environment the most. The innovation has many shades and it not only involves the product but also how the product is manufactured.īut the two most important aspects affecting any product is its material and the manufacturing process.

The innovations start right from the time a product concept originates and ends only when the product is manufactured. Above: Adidas Alphaedge 4D White Shoe/Image Credit: AdidasĪccording to the company, innovation is at the core of all its products.

Adidas futurecraft 4d mid