06-28-2019: New Balance and Formlabs announced the joint launch of the TripleCell platform and a new Rebound Resin material for production sports footwear
The TripleCell platform was based on Formlabs’ SLA technology
On June 28, 2019, New Balance and Formlabs announced an exclusive collaboration to create a 3D manufacturing system for sports footwear sector. The TripleCell platform, based on Formlabs’ SLA technology, allowed for the creation of components from a new material – Rebound Resin, which was designed specifically for this collaboration.
Rebound Resin had greater tear strength, elasticity, and energy recovery than other SLA materials used by Formlabs. The new technology allowed for the production of resilient lattice structures that matched traditional foam components in terms of strength and reliability.
TripleCell made it possible to create shoes with a high level of cushioning that transitioned into the stability zone within a single design, using a single material. In 2019, New Balance introduced the first product from the new platform, the limited-edition 990 Sport for $185.
With 3D printing, New Balance could begin creating more advanced components than could be made with traditional methods like molding. Additionally, TripleCell reduced the time it took to bring a product to market from 15-18 months to a few weeks, eliminating the need for molds and enabling rapid prototyping and production.
Source: www.3dprint.com