New Model to Lead to Even Better 3D Printed Shoes

Nowadays, it seems that there is a never-ending quest for what could be considered the “perfect” shoe. In these efforts, 3D printing is often the technology of choice, as it allows for fully customized shoes fit to the customer. But how do we know that they are working as expected? What about finding a way to optimize based on running style or on whether someone is doing a marathon or a sprint? Now we may know, thanks to a model developed by MIT engineers that is able to predict the optimal running shoe design for any given runner, including for shoes that have been 3D printed.

Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise today, with about 50 million American (or about 15% of the U.S. population) engaging in it in 2021 according to information from Statista. But the type of running and the type of runner can vary greatly, hence the vast selection available on the market today. 3D printing offers another alternative by allowing for shoes that are customizable to each runner, with companies like adidas, Zellerfeld and more already jumping on the trend. But every runner is unique, as is the shoe, and what works for a career marathoner and someone who is just beginning will not be the same and manufacturers need to know that their shoes will work.

Researchers tested the stiffness of 3D printed midsole designs on an Instron machine in order to mimic footsteps

That is why shoe designers chose to turn to MIT in order to find a way to optimize the performance, including of 3D printed shoes. Anette “Peko” Hosoi, a professor of mechanical engineering at MIT and a co-author of the paper, explains, “With 3D printing, designers can tune everything about the material response locally. And they came to us and essentially said, ‘We can do all these things. What should we do?” This model is the response.