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Purple Platypus

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Adidas: Races into the Future with ObjetTM 3D Printing

“The ObjetTM ConnexTM 3D Printer enables us to produce high-quality models with excellent accuracy and very fine details in far less time.”
— Olga Heidel, the adidas Group

Delivering innovative, state-of-the-art sports footwear apparel and accessories in virtually every country in the world is no small feat. Yet, with more than 170 subsidiaries and over 40,000 employees worldwide, the adidas Group does just that. To continuously improve its products, which are sold under the adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade trade names, the 80-year old company always looks to the latest technology to continuously revolutionize its design, development and production processes.

That’s why the company, headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, was one of the first companies to install the Objet Connex500 3D Printing System. No stranger to rapid prototyping technologies, the adidas Group previously used the Objet Quadra Tempo (the forerunner to the Objet Eden) and then the Objet Eden330, to create 3D prototypes for design verification. When the Objet Connex500 was developed, with its unique multi-material 3D printing technology, the adidas Group saw it as a great opportunity to increase its prototype capacity and accuracy.

The Challenge and Solution

adidas_1_running_shoes_soles“Internal demand for prototypes from the different design departments was growing rapidly, and the build size of our existing 3D printers was getting too small. Furthermore, printing with only one material per build was no longer sufficient. Now, thanks to the Objet Connex500 we have entered the digital era,” enthuses Olga Heidel, Senior Manager of Sample Development at the adidas Group.

With the ability to print models made from multiple materials, including composite Digital Materials created on the fly, the adidas Group can now perform functional testing in the early stage of the design and development process. This allows considerable time-savings and enables adidas to gain a real competitive edge.

Before adidas used the unique, multi-material 3D printing technology, all adidas prototypes were hand-made by 12 technicians using special tools to model every single joint and crease according to 3D specifications. Since the introduction of the Objet Connex, a maximum of two people are required to produce the 3D models.

Results: Stepping up speed and precision

adidas_3_soccer_shoe_model_side_viewThe adidas Group prints around the clock to meet the strong demand for its products and its internal customer requirements. With the new speed and fast model production achieved with the Objet Connex 3D printing, designers can quickly reach the ultimate final product concept and customer wishes can be
quickly fulfilled. Moreover, errors can be immediately detected and eliminated.

With the ability to print in 16-micron layers, the Objet Connex creates 3D models with unrivalled accuracy and surface quality that convey a precise idea of the final product. Moreover, the wide array of Objet materials, colors and varied shore grades that can be used in one build allows the adidas Group to produce prototypes that accurately simulate the real outer soles of its running shoes. The models feature an accurate or life-like look and feel without the need for additional finishing.

For example, in the “soccer” category, the models produced on the Objet Connex 3D printer are used for
design and illustration purposes and the traction testing is performed in the early stages of the development and design process. For standard running soles, fit models are mainly printed to check the accuracy of fit and design changes.

Steffen Scherer, Prototype Creation Technician at adidas Group, says: “The demand for prototypes from our internal customers is extremely high. We’re printing around the clock and providing a 24 hour service! Thanks to the Objet 3D Printer, models can now be evaluated and accepted within just one or two days, so we are saving four to six weeks of work as compared to our previous mold-making process. Our internal customers really appreciate this incredibly short delivery time“.

“It’s fascinating for us to have something real in our hands. We can now create soles, torsion parts, functional parts, and really early on in the design stage.”

Our Locations


Irvine Headquarters
16842 Hale Ave.
Irvine, CA 92606
Map & Directions

Phone: 949.474.9222
Fax: 949.474.9003
Email: [email protected]

Purple Platypus 3D Printing Phoenix
Phoenix Office + Showroom
2330 West Parkside Ln., Suite G105
Phoenix, AZ 85027
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(By Appointment Only)


Bay Area Office
2185 Ronald St.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
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(By Appointment Only)

Phone:415.417.3838
Email: [email protected]

 


LACI Satellite Location
525 S Hewitt St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Map & Directions

(By Appointment Only)

 

 

Locations

  • Irvine Headquarters
    16842 Hale Ave.
    Irvine, CA 92606
  • Bay Area Office + Showroom
    2185 Ronald St.
    Santa Clara, CA 95050
    By Appointment Only
  • Phoenix Office + Showroom
    2330 West Parkside Ln., Suite G105
    Phoenix, AZ 85027
    By Appointment Only

Recent Posts

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  • Part of the Month: Textured Handle
CONTACT OUR TEAM

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[email protected]

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  • Products
    ▼
    • Plastic 3D Printers
      ▼
      • Stratasys Production Printers
        ▼
        • H350
        • Origin One
        • Neo Series
      • Stratasys FDM Printers
        ▼
        • F900
        • Fortus 450mc
        • F770
        • F123CR Series
        • F123 Series
      • Stratasys PolyJet Printers
        ▼
        • J850 Pro & Prime
        • J850 TechStyle
        • J826 Prime
        • J55 Prime
        • J35 Pro
        • Objet30 Pro & Prime
        • J4100
        • J850 Digital Anatomy Printer
        • J5 MediJet
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        • METHOD
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        ▼
        • WRAP
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        ▼
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        ▼
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        • Powerfuse S
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        • DM60
    • CNC Machines
      ▼
      • Roland DG SRM-20
      • Roland DG MDX-50
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      • eviXmatic
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  • Services
    ▼
    • 3D Printing Classes
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  • Pre-Owned Equipment
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    • Objet260 Connex3
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  • Get A Quote
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