New Balance and Formlabs collaborate on 3D printing platform

Footwear company New Balance has announced the launch of a 3D printing platform known as TripleCell, in collaboration with 3D printing firm Formlabs.

TripleCell technology will be incorporated in its 990 Sport and FuelCell Echo products, with the former launched on 28 June and the latter launching 15 September.

“3D printing is changing how companies approach manufacturing, with this announcement New Balance is pioneering localized manufacturing," said Dávid Lakatos, Chief Product Officer of Formlabs. “By eliminating the dependence on molds and direct printing for both prototyping and production, their team shifts from months to hours in the development and production cycles. We’re moving towards a world where design cycles are closing in on the whim of the consumer and it’s exciting to be on the frontlines of this with New Balance.”

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The TripleCell platform is said to deliver the same cushioning effect present in traditional methods, while being 10% lighter. Also born out of their collaboration to develop materials, hardware and processes for footwear is Rebound Resin, a photopolymer resin that creates springy lattice structures that maintain the durability, reliability and longevity from injection molding.

“TripleCell will deliver the industry’s pinnacle expression of data to design with seamless transitions between variable properties underfoot”, says Katherine Petrecca, New Balance General Manager, Innovation Design Studio. “This new, cutting edge, digitally manufactured technology is now scaling exclusively within New Balance factories in the U.S. further establishing us as a leader in 3D printing and domestic manufacturing. Formlabs has been an integral partner to bring this to life. We’re really going to be able to disrupt the industry not only in performance, but also in athlete customization and speed to market.“