Carbon has officially unveiled its L1 3D printer, designed specifically for immediate, high-volume production with 10-times the build area of the its first production 3D printer the M1.
This is the same type of 3D printer that has been churning out thousands of Adidas Futurecraft midsoles, and US sports brand Riddell have joined them, using Carbon technology to produce custom American Football helmet liners.
Riddell’s SpeedFlex Precision Diamond is the first piece of its sports equipment to feature a digitally manufactured helmet liner, printed in a flexible custom elastomer resin, with an entire helmet liner’s 7 parts fitting on one build platform.
The lattice is formed using the Carbon Lattice Engine using simulation and optimisation techniques to tune structures to further manage both linear and rotational impact energies.
Each helmet is made up of more than 140,000 individual struts orchestrated into patterns for attenuating impact forces while providing excellent comfort and fit for the wearer.
Riddell strategic advisor and brand ambassador Peyton Manning (who also happens to be a Super Bowl winner, a man of terrible acting abilities in adverts), said: “As someone who’s spent thousands of hours watching film [of American Football being played. For practice reasons. It’s a term. Get over it], I know that no two players play the same way.
“They all have different styles and tendencies on the field, which is another key benefit to Riddell’s Diamond Technology. With the SpeedFlex Precision Diamond, players are not only experiencing the latest in head protection, they can also dictate where the helmet is positioned to improve sight-lines and maximise field vision,” he Omaha’d.
The L1 will still be a limited release machine (you need to ask Carbon if you can get involved), and while the M2 will continue to be flogged to customers relentlessly, the original M1 will see its days numbered, being available on a ‘more limited basis’.
