New Balance Hopes to Use 3D Printing Beyond Prototyping

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Of its many applications, one of the areas where fashion is using 3D printing most consistently seems to be footwear. Here in Boston, New Balance is at the forefront of employing 3D printing techniques in not only its prototyping process, but also in the wearable final product: shoes themselves. Katherine Petrecca, manager of studio innovation for the company, tells WWD that New Balance has benefitted from the technology for a decade.

But last year's project producing custom spike plates for elite runners including Jack Bolas signals that the machines are now ready to make functional elements of footwear—further evidenced in the athletes' continued use of the innovative plates. Perhaps a New Balance 3D printed product launch is not too far in the future? Until then, we'll see how its new Fresh Foam line performs.
· 3D Printing on Display at MakerBot's Newbury Street Store [Racked Boston]
· Will 3-D Printing Shake Up the Shoe Business? [WWD]