3D Printing

3D Systems Partners with United Nude for 3D Printed Shoe Line

The 3D printed footwear race has already begun, with companies like Feetz hoping to be one of the fastest runners on the track. While Nike has kept their cleats on the field, Feetz was set to be ready to sell its shoes to the public, shipping this winter. Unfortunately, they’re not the only ones competing, with the latest athlete also being one of the strongest. 3D printing industry leader 3D Systems has just announced a partnership with United Nude, designer of the Iris van Herpen line covered on 3DPI last year, to release a line of shoes that can, potentially, be 3D printed in your own home.

Together, 3DS and United Nude have developed the “Float” line of 3D printed shoes, specifically designed for immediate home printing on the $999, dual material, Cube 3 printer from 3D Systems.  The Float shoes will debut at United Nude’s flagship store in Soho, Manhattan, where the shop will feature live, in-store manufacturing, as well as a window display of continuous shoe printing on the 3DS Cube 3.  As 3DS puts it, “This is the first fashion-focused 3D printing retail experience in the United States.” Next, the partners plan to extend their offering to United Nude’s Regent Street location in London.

3D printed float shoes 3D Systems and United Nude

Before this release for the Cube, the team first perfected the Float design using more advanced equipment, according to Founder of United Nude, Rem D Koolhaas, “After pioneering wearable, 3D-printed shoes using a state-of-the-art Selective Laser Sintering 3D printer, we are thrilled to deliver fully functional, 3D-printed shoes designed for an affordable home desktop printer. This design is about creating something beautiful and interesting; it’s about experimenting, moving forward and learning along the way.”

3D printed float shoe components 3D Systems and United Nude

In an interview with Dezeen, Koolhaas has elaborated on the design of the shoe, which is made up of the 3D printed upper and platform sole and a hand-cut rubber toe and heel.  Koolhaas explains, “We designed the shoe in three parts that just simply link into each other, forming the final product. The fact that the shoe is made out of three parts actually adds to the design.” He adds that, “Even though this shoe is wearable, I don’t think it’s to be compared with any more conventional shoes in regards to comfort, but that’s also not the point of this design. This design is about creating something beautiful and interesting, and it’s about experimenting, moving forward and about learning.”

3D printed float shoe from 3D Systems and United Nude printed on Cube 3 3D printer

Due to the hand-cut portions of the shoe, I’m intrigued as to the home 3D printing possibilities of this shoe.  As the Cube 3, 3D Systems’ most affordable machine, is capable of 3D printing in two materials, I wonder if they’re planning to allow customers to 3D print the shoe all in one piece.  Fingers crossed! In the meantime, the Float series can be purchased at the United Nude shop at 25 Bond Street in New York later today, but the shoes will also be available for purchase online at United Nude’s website.

Pictures in this article via Dezeen.