New Balance launches 3D printing platform with Formlabs

New Balance, the company based in Boston and one of the leaders in athletic wear, just launched a new platform created with 3D printing technology from Formlabs. The new platform is called TripleCell – it has been and will be used to launch the 990 Sport and the FuelCell Echo.

The collaboration between New Balance and Formlabs started in 2017, when they announced that they were developing high performance materials, hardware, and a manufacturing process for athlete footwear. As a result, a new proprietary photopolymer resin was created called Rebound Resin. This resin is designed to create springy, resilient lattice structures with the durability, reliability, and longevity expected from an injection molded thermoplastic.

New Balance 990 Sport | Credits: New Balance

Katherine Petrecca, New Balance General Manager, Innovation Design Studio said, “TripleCell will deliver the industry’s pinnacle expression of data to design with seamless transitions between variable properties underfoot. 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.”