Top 5 Videos: Recreating Wilson’s $2,500 3D Printed Airless Basketball
Welcome to our compilation of this week’s most compelling 3D printing videos. We kick off this week’s edition with a video attempting to perfectly replicate the bounce of Wilson‘s $2,500 3D printed airless basketball. Next up, Big Rep reveals how additive manufacturing is revolutionizing and improving heavy-duty truck innovation at CNHTC in China. Moving forward, TechTalkCentral discusses the future of 3D printing and its impact on manufacturing and rapid prototyping, emphasizing the technology’s sustainability and high customizability. We’re then presented with a video by Performance Bicycle, showcasing 3D printed mirror saddles which offer improved comfort and support for long rides and off-road terrain. Lastly, we conclude this week’s top 5 with a video from Lincoln Electric Asia, exploring the adoption and benefits of wire arc 3D metal printing within the company. Let’s get started!
Top 1: Recreating Wilson’s $2,500 3D Printed Airless Basketball
First, we present a video by TwoMooseDesign, where the the host sets out to recreate the bounce of Wilson’s $2500, 3D printed airless basketball using a variety of hobbyist 3D printers. Despite encountering difficulties such as filament breakage and print failures, the host finds that flexible PLA and certain TPU filaments offer the best bounce characteristics. Overall, while acknowledging the limitations of hobbyist 3D printers compared to commercial ones used for the original airless basketball, they conclude that getting close to the desired bounce with the right filament choice and printing techniques is possible. However, the host also acknowledges that perfecting the ball would be incredibly difficult, as Wilson’s airless basketball costs $2,500 because the company is aware its bounce cannot be truly replicated.
Top 2: CNHTC’s Adoption of 3D Printing
Next, Big Rep reveals how industrial 3D printing, led by Head Engineer Dr. Dong, is revolutionizing heavy-duty truck innovation at CNHTC, China’s third-largest commercial vehicle manufacturer. China’s commercial vehicle market, a major player in global sales, is expected to see rising domestic demand. To meet this challenge and innovate faster, CNHTC has leveraged 3D printing to streamline prototyping, reduce production time, and enhance its final parts.
Top 3: TechTalkCentral Explores the Future of 3D Printing
Third-in-line, TechTalkCentral delves into the transformative impact of 3D printing on manufacturing and prototyping, highlighting its ability to accelerate the production process, enable customization, handle increased complexity, promote sustainability, and foster innovation. The video showcases AM’s expansive range of usability, extending to healthcare, automotive, aerospace, sports, and more. The video concludes with insightful possibilities on how 3D printing will shape our everyday lives as it is increasingly adopted.
Top 4: Enhanced Comfort Through 3D Printed Mirror Saddles
In this next video by Performance Bicycle, the host explores Specialized’s innovative 3D printed mirror saddles, highlighting their use of mirror technology to customize every aspect of the saddle for optimal comfort and support. Despite the initial shock of the price tag, the host argues that investing in a saddle, which significantly impacts comfort and performance, is definitely worthwhile. With 3D printing technology revolutionizing cycling saddles and bicycles in general, the host concludes with excitement and interesting insights into the future of cycling comfort and performance.
Top 5: Lincoln Electric Discusses Wire Arc 3D Metal Printing
Wrapping up, Mandy Dodge, an engineer at Lincoln Electric Additive Solutions, discusses when to choose wire arc 3D metal printing (additive manufacturing) for business applications. She speaks on its suitability for large parts ranging from tens to thousands of pounds, while emphasizing its advantage for printing low-volume parts with unique geometries. Additionally, Dodge discusses how, when coupled with Lincoln Electric’s extensive welding experience and proprietary technology, 3D printing has positioned them as leaders in the field, now boasting North America’s largest 3D metal printing capacity with 24/7 production support.
Which video was your favorite this week? Do you think accurately printing a replica of Wilson’s $2,500 3D printed airless basketball will be possible soon? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
*Cover Photo Credits: TwoMooseDesign
