The visitors to the Footwearise also saw this, for example Robert Karklinsh, engineer and CEO of 3D printing expert Elastium. He aptly says that monomaterial shoes fascinate specialists and enthusiasts, “but the mainstream is not based on what engineers and designers think, but what the consumers want”. The real 3D print revolution will therefore probably be much more subtle. That was also seen on the footwearise. Individual shoe components are printed and then combined with components of conventional shoe production. The final product may look very different, but because of the many practical advantages alone, it will be inevitable that 3D printing will further shape shoe production: be it the better circulatory capacity, greater flexibility and the long-term falling price. So we can continue to watch the pace and scope.
Mainstream – shoe courier
