02-18-2023: Wilson produced the first airless 3D-printed basketball
Its debut took place during the AT&T SLAM DUNK Contest at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah
On February 18, 2023, Wilson Sporting Goods—the official equipment supplier for the world’s biggest basketball league, the NBA—unveiled the first-ever 3D-printed basketball that does not require air. The ball was showcased during the AT&T SLAM DUNK Contest, an annual highlight of the NBA All-Star Weekend, basketball’s biggest celebration.
The ball was used by KJ Martin, then a player for the Houston Rockets, during his dunk series. He was accompanied by his father, Kenyon Martin, an NBA star from the late '90s and early 2000s. The event took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, which hosted the 72nd NBA All-Star event in history.
The 3D Airless Prototype Basketball met most NBA regulations in terms of weight, size, and bounce, but unlike traditional basketballs, it does not require inflation. It featured a see-through lattice structure, connected by eight panels resembling the classic basketball design.
The ball was manufactured using SLS technology on machines from the German company EOS, while its surface was smoothed and dyed by DyeMansion. The design was developed by General Lattice, which worked closely with Wilson Labs employees in Chicago.
The 3D Airless Prototype Basketball pushed the boundaries of what is possible with additive manufacturing, much like the revolutionary 3D-printed car tires introduced a few years ago. However, Wilson emphasized that, for now, there are no plans to change the official NBA game ball, which will continue to feature the same leather materials, eight-panel configuration, and specifications.
At the same time, over time, this type of basketballs have become a popular model for 3D printing on 3D printers of various technologies (mostly FFF).
Unfortunately, the 3D-printed ball did not bring luck to KJ Martin, who was eliminated in the first round of the dunk contest. The winner was Mac McClung, who celebrated his third consecutive SLAM DUNK Contest victory that weekend—an achievement never before accomplished in NBA history.
Source: www.prnewswire.com
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