Jack M Posted August 31, 2017 Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/materialise-and-tailored-fits-create-digital-supply-chain-for-custom-fit-ski-boots-1002298390 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRAZZ Posted August 31, 2017 Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 Somewhat click-bait. They don't have fully printed ski boots yet. The tech isn't completely there (materials are either too brittle or too soft) but I imagine that this is definitely the future for high end and/or specialized boots. As 3D printing is a big part of my job I watch this closely and the advances in the last decade are awesome for us. In the not too distant future you will be able to scan your foot and send the file to a specialist. This will, in turn, be printed into a fully functional ski boot with the exact fit and flex parameters you want. This will also allow a lot of innovation because manufacturers won't be bound to $$$$ tools. I think it's awesome! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queequeg Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 (edited) I've been hoping for something like this to emerge, in terms of ski boots. I've been thinking the real $$ with 3d printers will not lie with individual companies that produce custom printed products in their own facilities, but rather: some larger enterprise that can handle the logistics of producing (and potentially servicing) a vast array of products on behalf of a multitude of different companies for their local customers. I'm sure we'll get to the point where we have two 3d-printers in every garage; but I suspect it will be a long time before the average citizen will own something capable of producing anything large, (or precise) quickly. Small manufacturers will probably buy/develop printers but—far better to outsource production to a vendor who can afford to upgrade their tooling quickly to keep up with the jonses and focus on design+development. Seems like a geographically distributed network of local 3d-print manufacturers with robust capabilities would have big benefits for everyone in terms of time/cost/environmental imact. I think UPS is already getting into this because they realize how irrelevant this sort of thing will make them otherwise. Edited September 1, 2017 by queequeg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philw Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 17 hours ago, erazz said: Somewhat click-bait. ....The tech isn't completely there ... but I imagine that this is definitely the future for high end and/or specialized boots. ..... I think it's awesome! Especially for niche/ low volume people like us. That would remove a significant concern from my old age: where the next set of boots is going to come from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.a Posted September 4, 2017 Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 On 9/1/2017 at 2:55 AM, queequeg said: Ibut rather: some larger enterprise that can handle the logistics of producing (and potentially servicing) a vast array of products on behalf of a multitude of different companies for their local customers. I'm sure we'll get to the point where we have two 3d-printers in every garage; but I suspect it will be a long time before the average citizen will own something capable of producing anything large, (or precise) quickly. Just a head's up, but what you just described is already up and running, in fact I'd say we are well beyond this hurdle. Among a couple different sites I know https://www.shapeways.com/, is doing quite well, it integrates individuals and their 3D designs with local printers, so if you want a one-off product no problem but it also allows people to then sell their products or designs to others through shapeway's online store. Its really changing the possibilities in the hobby and craft world as they were based almost entirely on injection molding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRAZZ Posted September 4, 2017 Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 (edited) My $400 printer is large enough to print a boot. If I could get the correct plastic and fuse it well enough.... Anybody wants a custom boot? I don't think I can trust the mechanical properties just yet but it's definitely coming. But just for fun... http://www.crptechnology.com/first-3d-printed-skiboot-prototype-windform-ispo-2015/ Edited September 4, 2017 by erazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Brammer aka PSR Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 Dodge Ski Boots, made in VT... Anyone want to advise them on a 'snowboard boot'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 If the materials available for 3d printing aren't suitable for a boot, how about a scan that is fabricated on a CNC mill? Is it possible to mill away a chunk of plastic and get a custom boot? Obviously $$$ in terms of substrate, but then again, it's probably the mill that will drive the costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted September 6, 2017 Report Share Posted September 6, 2017 When the materials catch up to the imagination we will be in for some wonderful stuff. The application and uses for powder metallurgy took a little while to catch before the development of special alloys progressed . Something seemingly as simple as plastic boots aren't exactly the same as a pair of flip flops or crocs. Material science as related to 3d printed plastic in my opinion isn't quite there yet. Perhaps not a perfect comparison but i remember when fiberglass was going to be the answer to the creation of unbreakable skis unfortunately it wasn't fiberglass but epoxy that filled the bill . 3d printing isn't the answer to the question it's the new materials it will demand that maybe aren't in existence quite yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRAZZ Posted September 6, 2017 Report Share Posted September 6, 2017 21 hours ago, Dan said: If the materials available for 3d printing aren't suitable for a boot, how about a scan that is fabricated on a CNC mill? Is it possible to mill away a chunk of plastic and get a custom boot? Obviously $$$ in terms of substrate, but then again, it's probably the mill that will drive the costs. It would be easier (and cheaper) to create a custom mold than to mill away the plastic directly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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