Under Armour發表新的3D列印運動鞋技術 | SHOEMAKING RECONSIDERED: UNDER ARMOUR REVEALS 3D-PRINTED SNEAKERS

Under Armour發表新的3D列印運動鞋技術

Under Armour公司正積極轉向3D列印運動鞋革命技術。“很多競爭對手都有在談論3D列印的技術，但比起談論我們更想實際實現它。我們希望看到消費者穿上後的反應“ Under Armour鞋類部門副總裁Chris Lindgren這麼說到。

Under Armour公司預計在20週年的今年三月將發布the Architect 3D-printed trainer 以3D列印技術的運動鞋款。為符合品牌周年慶的概念，Under Armour計劃推出96雙，以表彰品牌於1996年創立的精神。

不像其他運動鞋品牌著重在跑步鞋上，UA決定先針對運動訓練時穿的訓練專用鞋，因為Under Armour最初的核心就是在運動訓練上。 UA也認為訓練鞋的靈活性，將吸引更廣泛更多元的健身房消費者族群。

Under Armour加入了3D列印運動鞋技術，科技已經改變了運動鞋製造商製造鞋子的方式。不再使用昂貴的模具，3D列印技術讓製造商可以更快速的且低成地進行設計打樣。

當UA在設計the Architect 3D-printed trainer訓練鞋時，收集了超過80的運動員並且超過120小時的試穿資訊作為設計基礎。

除了3D列印運動鞋的消費市場外，UA還將發展掃描技術，與3D列印運動鞋技術結合起來，建立一個完全精確符合運動員的腳型、前掌和足弓。未來將以最小成本的客製化運動鞋來滿足市場消費者的需求。

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SHOEMAKING RECONSIDERED: UNDER ARMOUR REVEALS 3D-PRINTED SNEAKERS

Under Armour is turning to 3D printing to power the next revolution in sneaker technology. The company has been working on 3D-printed sneakers and recently announced that it is releasing a limited number of trainers for the consumer market. “A lot of competitors talk about it, but we like to get it done. We want to see what the consumer has to say,” said Under Armour vice president of outdoor and training footwear Chris Lindgren to Sports Illustrated.

Under Armour will release the Architect 3D-printed trainer this month to commemorate UA’s 20-year anniversary. In keeping with the anniversary theme, the company plans to release 96 pairs in recognition of the brand’s 1996 founding. Unlike competitors that are working on running shoes, UA decided to release a training shoe first because the company’s original focus was on trainers. UA also believes the flexibility of a training shoe will appeal to a wider variety of consumers who are looking for a shoe that can take them from the weight bench to the treadmill and back.

Under Armour embraced 3D printing because the technology is changing the way sneaker makers create their shoes. Instead of using expensive steel molds and costly thermoplastic injection molding, with 3D printing, sneaker companies can prototype shoes quickly and affordably. When designing the Architect 3D, UA worked with over 80 athletes who tested and provided feedback on the shoes. UA produced an “innumerable” number of shoes that were used in over 120 hours of testing. This scale of prototyping and design would not be possible using the traditional molding process.

The Architect 3D is one of several 3D-printed models Under Armour plans to release in 2016. UA hopes to refine the 3D-printing process as it gathers feedback from consumers and will use this information to tweak future models. It also plans to expand the process to allow for on-the-fly customization by users who will be able to pick and choose designs as they create their perfect shoe.

Beyond the consumer market, UA hopes to combine scanning technology with 3D printing to build a shoe crafted precisely for an athlete’s foot size and forefoot shape and arch. The future is all about customization, and 3D printing allows the company to produce personalized shoes rapidly and with minimal expense.

Original Article: Digital Trends