People know us for updates and insights on the latest technology and innovations and there is no way that we can let any development involving 3D scanning go by unnoticed. We have latest information on Detroit Treads Shoes that were created with the help of 3D scanning. The story came up last week when the mentioned tread shoes were displayed at Work, which is the name given to an area in Michigan University. It is dedicated to exhibition of creative work by anyone in the community.
The entire thing started during an integrated class on Product Development held in the University around 2 years ago in 2011. All the first expectations have been scored past by Detroit Treads since then. The start-up is designed by Neil Zemba. The fact that it is based on 3D design of a regular human foot makes this entire thing even more interesting and as one expect, 3D scanning was used to get perfect model for the shoes.
Let us get into some technical specifications of this entire project. A Kinect was first used by Zemba to scan feet and obtain 3D images of it. The laser scanner HandyScan was then switched into the place of Kinect. The decision is obviously understandable as the HandyScan is a product developed for such professional functions. The pressure graphs used by some renowned footwear manufacturers like Nike and Jordan were used to study the mechanism of human foot pressing against the floor and making the lift – the process that causes running or walking. This helped the designer understand what kind of support is required and where.
With all the prerequisites in place, Zemba designed moulds for the outsole and the insole. A rapid prototyping device was used to create the moulds in a 3Dlaboratory. One mould forms the tread that touches the ground while the other forms the foot-bed; a design that is quite unusual. Still, the utilisation of 3D scanning technology is the unique-factor of the shoes. Though it appears like a regular sandal, it contains real tyre-rubber, which makes it one of the best from Detroit. In fact, third party services providers that are involved in roadside spare collection and recycling work in association with Detroit Treads.
The moulds are filled with mixture of polyurethane and tyre and equipped with seatbelt strap. These shoes really exemplify the scope of 3D scanning in the consumer market.
Author: Tony Rolland provides review services for EMS USA (http://www.ems-usa.com/), Florida based company offers 3D printing and 3D scanning services and also product development products such as 3D Systems 3D Printers and 3D Scanners.