In recent years, the application of 3D printing technology in the field of shoemaking has gradually entered a stage of maturity. From model shoe molds to polished shoe molds, to production molds, and even finished shoe soles, all can be obtained through 3D printing. Well-known shoe companies at home and abroad have also launched 3D printed sports shoes.

3D printed shoe mold displayed in Nike store

The application of 3D printing technology in the field of shoemaking is mainly in the following aspects:

(1) Instead of wooden molds, 3D printer can be used to directly produce prototypes that can be sand-casted and completely printed in 360 degrees. Substitute for wood. The time is shorter and the manpower is less, the materials used are less, the printing range of complex patterns of the shoe mold is more, and the processing process is more flexible and efficient, reducing noise, dust, and corrosion pollution.

(2) Six-sided shoe mold printing: 3D printing technology can directly print out the entire six-sided mold. The tool path editing process is no longer required, and operations such as tool change and platform rotation are not required. The data characteristics of each shoe model are integrated and accurately expressed. At the same time, the 3D printer can print multiple models with different data specifications at one time, and the printing efficiency is significantly improved.

(3) Proofing of try-on molds: sample shoes for development of slippers, boots, etc. are provided before the formal production. The soft-material shoe samples can be printed directly through 3D printing to test the coordination between the last, upper and sole. The 3D printing technology can directly print the try-on mold and effectively shorten the design cycle of shoes.

3D printed shoe molds with SHDM SLA 3D printer

The shoe industry users use SHDM 3D printer for shoe mold proofing, mold making and other processes, which effectively reduces labor costs, improves mold making efficiency, and can produce precision structures that can’t be made by traditional techniques, such as hollows, barbs, surface textures and so on.

SHDM SLA 3D printer——3DSL-800Hi shoe mold 3D printer