RAPID PROTOTYPING OF FOOTWEAR COMPONENTS

The aim of this paper is to present the rapid prototyping technique for obtaining footwear components. These prototypes can be used to design and to obtain moulds. They can provide a complete communication and constructive feedback on the designer's purpose. Quick and accurate communication between footwear designers and manufacturers during the design process is crucial, because it takes an agreement before launching this product into manufacture. Moreover, reducing the time of designing and manufacturing cycle is critical when the purpose is to firstly introduce on the market new concepts, well before the competition does it. Rapid prototyping equipment allows footwear companies to make complex models, which will consist in presentation and communication elements. The 3D printers can be used as tools to communicate between different companies, by sending electronic files and print them in different parts of the world.