Andrew Pace
Sports equipment manufacturer Wilson has unveiled a prototype 3D-printed airless basketball that does not need to be inflated. The ball has a lattice structure with hexagonal holes that allow air to pass through, giving it a unique look and feel. The airless design eliminates the issue of balls deflating over time and can withstand aggressive conditions, such as being hit with a baseball bat. Wilson's Airless Gen1 basketball is designed to perform like a traditional basketball in terms of weight, size, and bounce, while also reducing the cost of production and materials. The ball is currently available in three colours: black, brown, and off-white natural.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air requirement | Airless |
| Inflation requirement | No inflation required |
| Bounce | Similar to traditional basketballs |
| Sound | Much quieter than a traditional basketball |
| Durability | High |
| Temperature resistance | High |
| Customization | Customizable printing on each ball |
| Weight | Similar to a standard basketball |
| Feel | Different to the hand than a traditional basketball |
| Appearance | Lattice of hexagonal holes |
| Color | Black, brown, and off-white natural |
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$108.99 $159.99
What You'll Learn
The ball's lattice structure
The Airless Gen1 basketball by Wilson features a unique lattice structure that sets it apart from traditional basketball designs. This structure is created through 3D printing technology, resulting in a ball that performs like a traditional basketball but eliminates the need for inflation.
The lattice structure of the Airless Gen1 basketball is characterised by a network of small, hexagonal holes that form a honeycomb-like pattern across the ball's surface. This intricate design is made possible by 3D printing, which allows for the precise creation of complex shapes. The lattice structure is crafted from an elastomeric polymer, specifically a flexible TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), giving the ball its elasticity and bounce.
One of the key advantages of the lattice structure is its ability to deform and store energy, similar to the behaviour of springs. When the lattice is deformed, it stores energy, and the subsequent release of this energy allows the ball to bounce back. This deformation and energy storage mechanism can be fine-tuned by adjusting the design of the lattice, enabling control over the bounce height. As a result, the Airless Gen1 basketball can achieve a bounce comparable to that of a traditional basketball, despite not relying on air pressure.
The lattice structure also contributes to the ball's durability. The open structure allows air to pass through, reducing the impact force and distributing energy more evenly. This makes the ball highly resistant to punctures and leaks, addressing the common issue of deflation in traditional inflated balls. Additionally, the lattice design provides a unique visual appeal, with its transparent and distinctive appearance.
Overall, the lattice structure of the Airless Gen1 basketball is a significant innovation in sports equipment design. By leveraging 3D printing technology and advanced materials, Wilson has created a basketball that challenges conventions and delivers consistent performance, enhanced durability, and a unique aesthetic. This groundbreaking design has the potential to revolutionise not only basketball but also explore airless equipment in other sports.
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The manufacturing process
The powder used in the 3D printing process is likely some form of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or TPU, which is a flexible material that can be dyed. After printing, the powder is removed, and the ball is sealed and dyed using a smoothing technique. This results in a see-through, one-material, non-leather basketball with a unique lattice structure. This structure, made up of nodes and struts, serves as the framework of the ball, providing resilience and energy return for a natural bounce.
The development of Wilson's airless basketball took several years, with the company investing significant time and resources into creating a product that delivers the same performance and feel as traditional basketballs while offering enhanced durability and visual appeal. The result is a revolutionary design that challenges traditional basketball conventions and paves the way for further innovations in airless sports equipment.
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The ball's weight, size, and bounce
The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball is a 3D-printed ball with a unique lattice structure that eliminates the need for air pressure. This innovative design challenges convention by performing in the absence of air, addressing the longstanding issue of air retention in balls.
Weight
The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball weighs around 610 grams, which is slightly under the maximum weight of 620 grams for a regulation ball. This slight difference in weight is negligible and falls within acceptable margins, ensuring that the Airless Gen1 provides a similar experience to playing with a traditional basketball.
Size
The Airless Gen1 basketball is designed to meet the performance specifications of a regulation ball, including size. It features eight panel-like "lobes" that mimic the traditional basketball's eight-panel construction. This design choice ensures that the Airless Gen1 handles and performs similarly to a conventional basketball, providing a familiar playing experience for athletes.
Bounce
One of the biggest challenges in developing the Airless Gen1 was achieving a bounce comparable to that of an inflated ball. Nadine Lippa, Wilson's lead engineer, explained that the absence of air pressure in a traditional ball relies on air pressure to generate rebound. To address this, the Airless Gen1 features a lattice structure that allows air to pass through, contributing to its bounce and overall performance.
While the Airless Gen1 exhibits a similar bounce to traditional basketballs, there is a notable difference in the sound it produces. The indoor/outdoor Wilson recreational ball produces the familiar "slap-and-boing" sound, whereas the Airless Gen1 emits a “whoosh” followed by a “smack” upon hitting the ground. This difference in sound is due to the unique construction and materials used in the Airless Gen1.
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The ball's durability
The durability of the Airless Basketball has been a key focus of its design process. Nadine Lippa, Wilson's lead engineer on the project, has stated that the company aimed to develop a ball that performs identically to traditional basketballs in size, weight, and bounce, but without the need for inflation. To achieve this, the ball utilises a lattice structure with hexagonal holes that allow air to pass through, enabling it to bounce similarly to inflated balls.
Lippa noted that one of the biggest challenges was finding a material that rebounds to the expected height without relying on air pressure. The final design features a laser-sintered powder of a proprietary custom elastomeric material, specifically chosen for its high energy return and durability. This unique, highly elastic material contributes to the ball's ability to withstand wear and tear.
The ball has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its durability. Lippa mentioned that they even hit the ball with a baseball bat and were pleased that it did not sustain any significant damage, showcasing its resilience. Wilson's design team and engineers explored various designs and materials before settling on the final combination, ensuring that the ball meets the performance specifications of a regulation ball.
While the airless design eliminates the issue of deflation, it also addresses contraction in inflated balls caused by changing environments and temperatures. Traditional basketballs can appear flat when exposed to cold temperatures due to the contraction of air inside. The airless basketball overcomes this issue, providing a consistent playing experience regardless of the environment.
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The ball's cost
The Airless Gen1 Basketball by Wilson comes with a steep price tag of $2500. This is in stark contrast to Wilson's official NBA game ball, which sells for $200 on the official site. Despite the high asking price for this engineering feat, the limited edition drop of 200 airless basketballs sold out quickly, with no information on subsequent stock. Each purchase comes with a pelican case, a mirror display stand, a customizable genuine NBA leather insert, and a luggage tag.
The ball is 3D-printed and was first introduced at the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, turning heads and catching public attention. It is the result of six years of work, employing cutting-edge software and rigorous testing at W Labs by top engineers. The ball is a polymer lattice structure with eight panel-like lobes and hexagonal holes that allow air to pass through, replicating the size, weight, and bounce of an inflated basketball.
Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee posted a video showcasing the innovative airless basketball and answered common queries about its mechanics and bounce. He demonstrated that the airless bounce was notably quieter than a regular sports ball, and the performance was remarkably '90% of a regular ball'.
The high price of the Airless Gen1 Basketball is likely due to the cutting-edge technology and extensive research and development that went into its creation. It remains to be seen whether this airless basketball will replace the traditional leather ball or if it will remain a novelty item for enthusiasts willing to pay a premium.
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Frequently asked questions
An airless basketball is a ball that doesn't need to be inflated and performs without air. It is 3D-printed and made from an elastomeric polymer with a lattice structure and hexagonal holes that allow air to pass through.
The lattice structure and hexagonal holes in an airless basketball allow air to pass through, creating a bounce similar to that of a traditional basketball. The ball is designed to have the same weight, size, and bounce as a standard basketball while eliminating the need for inflation.
Airless basketballs offer several advantages over traditional inflated balls. They eliminate the issue of deflation due to blunt force, manufacturing defects, or air escaping over time. They also overcome contraction issues in inflated balls caused by changing environments and temperatures. Additionally, airless basketballs have a quieter bounce, reducing disturbance for players practising at night.
