First 3D-printed footwear

IN 2013, sports brand Nike unveiled the first American football boots with 3D-printed studs. Nike's “Vapor Laser Talon” boots are fitted with a footplate made by selective laser sintering, a process that uses lasers to fuse small particles of plastic together. With laser sintering, Nike's designers were able to prototype the boots much faster than usual and make updates as they went along. The ultimate aim is to make boots that are individually shaped for each player. The 3D-printed footplate also makes the boot extremely light, weighing only 158g (5.6 ounces), and improves traction on grass to help players run faster. According to Nike, the boots markedly improve a player's "40-yard dash" time – the standard measure used to assess speed and ability.