‘Nextep’ aims to provide an alternative way of improving the shoe manufacturing and design process using customized and sustainability approach. The shoes are produced by using 3D scanning and 3D printing technology for accurate measurements of a consumer`s specific foot. The end result is an internet website that displays various sets of designs that can be matched to the customer scans his/hers foot based on the specific measurements directly from the consumer`s phone. Theses specific measurements enable the manufacturer to produce an accurate shoe fit for the selected design. The Shoes are produces in two methods, both combine 3D printing, 3D scanning and traditional techniques, making result of ‘Human craft and Digital Machine’ processes. The first method for producing the shoes include Polyjet technology for 3D printing directly on leather/fabric with multicolor printing ability. This method involve three parts of the shoe that combined together with a traditional shoemaking method. This process is a collaboration with Stratasys, that also sponsored this project.
The second method includes FDM technology, which focused on designing the whole shoe as one piece and printing without the need to assembly after the production process. It means that this method is completely different from traditional shoe making process, when the shoe is produce by combining the all pieces together. It allows a faster production ability, without the need to assembly. Nevertheless, the shoes are combining craft method after the printing process by adding strings with hand made weaving techniques. This method was a collaboration with Prusa Research Team in Prague.
A poor fit is one of the biggest problem we face with shoes. The process of 3D scanning allows the consumer to have a fit-to-measure shoe that can be produce in local manufacturing, or even at home. The aim is to open the possibilities to use exact fitting with broad users /manufacturing companies. This method is necessary for online shopping, and opens a great opportunity to rethink how producing shoes can be customized and individual manufacturing, that fits to a specific need, instead of mass-production processes.
The medical aspect is also a part of the project, to allow people with disabilities to produce in an easy way shoes that designs to a specific need.
The sustainability aspect is important in Nextep project and it is part of the values that build the production process. When you have shoes that designed and produced with a perfect fit, the need to change often shoes will probably be reduced. Moreover, the idea behind Nextep is to have a continuity –
recycle the shoes and produce new filament from the shredded plastics. This Method can work well because the 3D printing process produce the outcome in one material, and not involving too many parts that assembly together. The idea is to provide to consumers the possibility to have a long life to the product they buy, without the need to throw the old ones. It is also a process that keep the connection with the consumer and reduce waste of old shoes. Nextep is thinking about the future of manufacturing of shoes. The possibilities are endless with material research in the field of 3D printing. For example, using filament from recycle plastic is one of many processes that can be achieved when using the latest developments.
Nextep aim is to make a sustainable state of mind about shoe production, to reduce waste and to involve the costumer in the making process of the shoes, allowing conversation for innovative approach.
