Objet showcases 3d printed shoes at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum

The Rapidprototypedshoe, which is on display as part of the Museum's 'Power of Making' exhibition, is designed and manufactured in a modular way so that it can be dismantled and reassembled for the purpose of replacing parts. It was created using Objet's Connex 3d printer, which is touted as the world's only multi material 3d printing technology. "Objet Connex printers make it possible to print an entire shoe – albeit a concept shoe – including a hard heel and a flexible upper in one build, which just isn't possible with other 3d printing technologies," said shoe designer Marloes ten Bhömer. "The shoe is printed as a single entity so the parts come off the printer already assembled, and you can still take the shoe apart later on. It is inspiring and opens up the possibility of interchangeable heels and creating customised designs." Gilad Gans, executive vp of Objet, added: "The highly detailed models produced by Objet provide the benefits of physically reviewing and testing designs that just can't be matched by 2d drawings. As an affordable alternative to factory produced samples, the process encourages users to review more design alternatives, increasing the potential to produce a more creative or better designed concept." The Objet 3d printed Rapidprototypedshoe can be seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, from 6th September 2011 to 2nd January 2012. Click here for more details.