3D printing shoes – what can be done.

There is a rush by many companies to try and copy the success that Carbon 3D has had with their midsole product that is being used by ADIDAS. It is true that sports shoes are by far the most popular type of shoe today but is that where we should start by jumping in at the deep end and trying to complete in the most competitive industry.

Well what about all the other shoes that are aimed at different markets, there is an entire fashion industry, there are cleated sports shoes that would fit very well with 3D printing, smaller volumes of specialist shoes that have a higher raw material and production cost.

I have been searching for a company that makes ladies fashion shoes and other specialist shoes that use different materials and where volumes are relatively small, to that end I have printed a ladies high heel shoe, please don’t criticize the design I am no shoe designer, what you can see from this example though is that this is a potential match, 3D printing and fashion shoes.

If anyone is interested in taking up this as a project please contact me, I can help with machines, materials and some of the experience that I have gathered in this quest.