A RAPID SHOE...
After one semester of prowling around in the world of generative fabrication I decided to do my diploma thesis in this field. The goal was to find a useful application that takes advantage of the geometric freedom provided by these technologies. In the end, it had to be something complex, not too big, valuable and with a high need and potential for customization. So I finally decided to give some thought to RM running shoes.
The basic problem is simple: an average running shoe manufacturer offers 30 different models (for men, women, road, cross, ...) in 8 different sizes. This sums up in 240 different shoes of which a left and a right version have to be produced. This means a lot of effort and mostly respects the fact that feet have different sizes - and not that people have different weights, running styles and sometimes orthopaedic problems.
Rapid manufacturing would enable us to create running shoes in as many variants as we want. Each customer could define how much effort he wants to make to personalize his shoes - from ordering a classic size ("gimme size 43") to 3D Scans of his feet, analysis of his running style and orthopaedic counsel. It would also be possible to improve one´s shoes with each iteration - some more cushioning for the heels, more space for the right little toe - without being reset by anual new collections.
The shoe consists of three main parts. The sole (black) provides traction and cushioning. The main structure (white) defines flexible areas and rigid, supporting zones. The soft inner shoe (green) makes the connection between the shoe and the runner´s foot.
For working on this project I needed 3D data of a foot. So I made a cast of my own right foot, which I digitized with a 3D Scanner.
The physical model was laser sintered in original scale. The main structure (white) is a classic polyamide part. The sole and the inner shoe (black) are made of elastomer (Somos 201).