Why 3D Printing is so important in sports

1、What is 3D printing?

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a production technology that creates three-dimensional objects according to computer-aided design (CAD) files. It involves several processes that build up one or more materials such as plastic, metal, wax or composite materials layer by layer to form a shape. The process is computer-controlled, so it is an economical and accurate method to create objects of almost any geometry and complexity.

2、How does 3D printing work？

The software slices the digital 3D model into hundreds of thin layers and exports them in G-code format, a language the printer uses to know exactly when and where to deposit material. Each layer corresponds to the precise 2D shape of a cross-section, or slice, of the object.

3、Impact of 3D printing on the sports industry

1）.How does 3D printing change the sports industry?
These include accelerating product design and development, improving design flexibility, speeding up product modification and improvement, manufacturing lighter and stronger equipment, improving aerodynamics, and enhancing customization options. In the sports world, subtle differences determine victory or defeat, and improvements in athletes’ reaction speed and injury healing speed can bring competitive advantages. Weight is crucial to athletes’ performance. 3D printing can design and manufacture products that are lighter and as strong as traditional manufacturing methods, and also provides greater design freedom. Combined with laser scanning technology, it can achieve high customization of products.

2）.helps Paralympic gold medals
Take Emma Wiggs, the world champion disabled kayaker, as an example. She knew that customizing a stronger and lighter paddle would increase her strength. The design of traditional paddles has hardly changed and has not been ergonomically adjusted for disabled athletes, so the Paralympic champion and relevant engineers worked together to develop a solution. The redesigned carbon fiber paddle was designed based on a computer simulation model of Emma’s ergonomics and personal technique, with a handle custom-made to her hand shape, lightweight and 3D-printed from a high-performance polymer. The resulting paddle was significantly improved in several areas, and Emma won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with it.

4、 Application fields of 3D printing in sports

1）.Customized sports equipment
Including protective equipment (such as helmets, goggles, etc.), sportswear (such as shoes, insoles, etc.), sports equipment (such as bats, clubs, etc.), prostheses, training equipment, etc.
A major advantage of 3D printing in the sports field is that it can easily produce customized products, which can be customized in a variety of ways, from small changes such as color and logos to complex modifications such as redesigning protective equipment. Ill-fitting equipment will affect sports performance, and the traditional customization process is slow and expensive. The combination of high-definition laser scanning, computer modeling software and 3D printing simplifies and optimizes the process, and the unique structure of the product also helps to improve the comfort and competitiveness of athletes.

2）.Sports medicine
Including masks, medical pillows, braces, plasters, splints, boots, etc.
The application of 3D printing in sports medicine is growing rapidly. Athletes need to recover as quickly as possible after injuries. 3D printing provides an innovative way to speed up recovery and reconstruct fractures, and its medical products can be quickly customized to achieve the best fit and support for recovery.

3）.In racing
Including decorative parts (such as dashboards, seat frames, etc.) and mechanical parts (such as mounting brackets, suspension wishbones, etc.).
In racing, speed and weight are crucial. 3D printing has long been used to make early prototypes that can be tested in wind tunnels. Now it is also increasingly used to produce small batches of final parts, and in some cases the cost is much lower than traditional methods. This is an important consideration in sports with spending caps.

4）.On-demand 3D printing
The ability to manufacture parts on demand has driven the application of 3D printing in sports. Incorporating production processes in-house can better control processes and shorten the time from design to manufacturing.
Many sports teams play away from their headquarters, making it difficult to obtain spare parts. The speed, flexibility and efficiency of 3D printing make it possible to cost-effectively manufacture parts when and where they are needed, and digital CAD files can also optimize inventory.

5、Limitations of 3D Printing in Sports

1.Not suitable for mass production
3D printing may be faster and more efficient than traditional methods when producing single pieces or small batches of items in the sports field, but it still has difficulties in mass production. The number of prints per machine is limited by the size of the machine and the object, so for many products that can benefit from mass customization, 3D printing may not be the fastest or most cost-effective technology.

2.Unstable quality
3D printers do not always print perfect results. The failure rate is affected by the machine, material and printed objects, and sometimes additional manual processing is required to achieve the desired effect. With technological advances and familiarity with the technology, these factors may decrease, and high-quality printing may require investment in more expensive equipment.

3.Part size
The size of the 3D printer itself limits it from producing large parts.

6、Conclusion

In short, 3D printing has shown great potential and value in the field of sports. From changing the development model of the sports industry to helping athletes achieve excellent results, from diverse application fields to its own limitations, 3D printing is gradually becoming an indispensable part of sports.