Application of 3D Printing Technology in Footwear Design and Manufacture – A Review of Developing Trends

Abstract

The advent of 3D printing (3DP) has garnered significant interest from both academia and industry due to its potential to revolutionize engineering, manufacturing, and through its utilization of advanced materials. Even though the application of 3D printing in footwear design and manufacture is quite appreciated, academic discourse on the subject relative to footwear design and manufacture is rather scarce compared to other fields such as pharmaceuticals, electronics and food. The purpose of this review is to explore the techniques, the application trends and the impact of 3D printing technology concerning footwear design and manufacture. Using relevant data from many relevant sources, this study uncovered that 3D printing has significantly impacted shoe design and manufacture by enhancing production efficiency, environmental sustainability, material innovation and Inter-Industry Collaborative Projects among others. Most of the major players in the footwear industry such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok and New Balance already have many footwear releases based on 3D printing. Also discussed are some specific areas in which 3D printing is being applied in footwear design and manufacture. These areas include but are not limited to the design of smart shoes, shoe lasts, complex shoe geometries, avant-garde concept shoes and so on. This study is of particular importance to stakeholders in the footwear research and design industry as it provides important information about the current trends as well as the impact of 3D printing technology on the sector.

Keywords

• 3d printing
• footwear design
• footwear manufacture
• design concept
• smart footwear
• cad