It is understood that the 3D printing shoe pioneer OESH has just received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a low-cost 3D printer based on plastic pellets that can produce shoes on a large scale. It made its first saleable 3D printed shoes in 2011. The company's shoes are designed for women's health and are a lover for women.
For those female friends who wear OESH shoes all day, this is indeed a big news. The Charlotte, Virginia-based company was the first company to sell 3D printed shoes. Today, under the leadership of Dr. Casey Kerrigan, a Harvard medical doctor who specializes in body and foot movements, all OESH shoes are designed to be comfortable and healthy.
3D printing is a very interesting concept that has already affected the footwear industry. Dr. Kerrigan has been studying the effects of shoes on joints and body and all aspects of arthritis for many years. She found that traditional shoes actually hindered the natural bounce of the foot, thus causing discomfort in the foot, especially when wearing high heels. “After all these studies, I wanted to make real big shoes,†Kerrigan explained. “My research tells me that it is better to have a spring in the shoe than to install a shock absorber.â€
A few years ago, Kerrigan resigned as director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Virginia and began building his own small 3D printing shoe factory. All 3D printed OESH shoes are designed from the sole up. In fact, the bending and support of traditional shoes increases the pressure on the joints. After removing all the excess absorbed energy buffer, your feet will eventually return to their natural function, which will help your small muscles in your feet and reduce stress on your joints.
More importantly, OESH pays special attention to the shape of women's feet in the current situation that men's feet are still the standard for all footwear production. Women's feet typically have a narrower heel and a wider forefoot than a male foot. “According to this physiological difference, OESH women's shoes have a subtle ballet-like heel, while the front-foot and toe areas of 3D printed OESH shoes are usually wider, making the shoes more fit,†Kerrigan explained.
Since the launch of the first shoe in 2011, OESH has grown rapidly. They sell all types of shoes on the online store, and sales have been growing steadily. The only downside is the high cost of 3D printing, which limits the company's growth opportunities. Therefore, the first phase of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding from the National Science Foundation is undoubtedly very popular.
It is understood that OESH will also cooperate with Dojo Research & Consulting to use funds to develop a particle-based 3D printer extrusion process for the footwear industry, hoping that this process can significantly reduce production costs. The current research on 3D printing of granular plastics is progressing smoothly, and the development team hopes that this technology will make 3D printing more attractive to the footwear industry.
It may even localize 3D printing production so that it is no longer produced overseas. “The innovation in 3D printing has enhanced the ability to customize the production of soles and create designs that are not possible with any other existing production process,†Kerrigan said. “We feel very honored because this funding represents NSF's new innovation for us. Recognition of the work in the design and production of shoes."
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