Saoirse Downs
Wilson Sporting Goods has unveiled a 3D-printed, airless basketball prototype, which it says could be the future of basketball. The ball, which is see-through and made from a single material, is designed to address the issue of inflatable balls going flat. While Wilson is not pushing the NBA to use the airless ball, it has been vetted by the league and debuted by KJ Martin of the Houston Rockets during the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The ball, which has a hefty price tag of $2,500, is now available in three colours and could signal a new era for the sport.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The ball is 3D-printed, made from powder, lasers, and a custom elastomeric material
- It's see-through, with hexagonal holes, and grooves shooters feel for
- It's equal in weight and bounce to a regular basketball
- Wilson is not pushing the NBA to use the ball in games
- The ball is not for sale, but there are plans for future generations
The ball is 3D-printed, made from powder, lasers, and a custom elastomeric material
Wilson Sporting Goods has developed a 3D-printed, airless basketball prototype, which was unveiled at the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The ball is made from a custom elastomeric polymer material, which is a type of flexible and durable plastic. This elastomeric polymer is deposited in thin layers by a 3D printer, which then melts these layers together according to a digital design. This results in a lattice structure with hexagonal holes, which allows air to pass through the ball and eliminates the need for inflation.
The ball is made using the selective laser sintering (SLS) method of additive manufacturing. This involves using lasers to fuse layers of polymer powder into the 3D design. The powder and lasers intertwine to form a lattice, which serves as the framework of the ball. The lattice structure and use of advanced materials like elastomeric polymers increase the ball's durability and resistance to wear and tear.
The 3D-printed basketball is designed to match the performance of a regular NBA ball as closely as possible, including its weight and bounce response. It is also see-through and features typical basketball grooves that shooters tend to feel for, providing a natural grip. The ball is unbreakable and does not need to be inflated, addressing the common issue of basketballs going flat.
While Wilson is not pushing the NBA to use the airless basketball in games, it has been vetted with NBA, WNBA, G-League, and NCAA Division I teams. The ball may eventually work its way through college basketball and then the NBA after further testing and perfecting.
Momentum, Impulse, and Basketball: Mastering the Physics of the Game
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It's see-through, with hexagonal holes, and grooves shooters feel for
The Wilson Airless Gen1 Basketball is a see-through ball with hexagonal holes and grooves shooters feel for. It is made from a combination of special chemicals and 3D printed with a hexagon pattern. The ball is designed to have the same weight, size, and bounce as a regular basketball. The hexagonal holes are arranged in a 3D lattice, replicating the typical binding pattern of a leather ball, allowing players to grip the ball as they normally would.
The grooves on the ball are similar to those on a typical basketball, allowing shooters to feel for them. The small holes throughout the ball provide natural grip points, enhancing the player's control over the ball. The size of the holes is specifically designed so that a finger cannot fit inside the ball, ensuring a comfortable and safe grip.
The ball was first unveiled by K.J. Martin at the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk event. It is currently available in three colours: black, brown, and an off-white natural. The ball is priced at $2,500 and has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it meets the performance specifications of a regulation ball.
While the ball is not yet being pushed for use in NBA games, it represents a step towards the future of basketball design. The airless concept addresses the common issue of basketballs going flat and provides a solution through its airless structure. The ball's unique design and functionality have sparked interest from many, including NBA players and governors.
Purdue Basketball's Historic Win Count: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It's equal in weight and bounce to a regular basketball
The NBA is considering using an airless basketball, which has several advantages over traditional inflated balls. One of the most notable features of this new ball is that it is designed to be equal in weight and bounce to a regular basketball while offering enhanced performance and durability.
The weight and bounce characteristics of the airless basketball are crucial factors in its potential adoption by the NBA. The ball is designed to
Mastering the Spin Move: Basketball's Ultimate Weapon
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Wilson is not pushing the NBA to use the ball in games
Wilson Sporting Goods debuted its 3D-printed, airless basketball prototype during the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The ball, known as the Airless Gen1, is made of a series of hexagonal nodes and struts, or a lattice, that form a framework. This lattice is created through industrial-level 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, that intertwines powder and lasers. The ball is see-through, made of one material (compared to five for a regular basketball), and has small holes that help players grip it.
Despite this debut, Wilson is not pushing the NBA to use the ball in games. Instead, the airless basketball is a concept ball, a testbed, and an exploration of future possibilities. The ball is not for sale, and Wilson recognizes that basketball players can be a superstitious bunch. If a player like Steph Curry missed his first three shots with the airless ball, he might never want to use it again.
The airless basketball is meant to address the issue of basketballs going flat. All inflatable balls, regardless of how they are made, will eventually go flat. Wilson's airless ball solves this problem by eliminating the need for inflation altogether. The ball is highly engineered, with a complex structure that maintains its bounce using a series of hexagonal holes arranged into a 3D lattice. This lattice structure gives the ball the weight and bounce response of a leather ball inflated to regulation pressure.
While Wilson is not pushing for the immediate adoption of the airless basketball in the NBA, the company does hope that by showcasing its interest in 3D-printed airless balls, it will drive the industry to embrace new technology. The airless ball is currently in its first generation and will likely undergo tweaks and improvements before being implemented at the college level and potentially the NBA.
Mastering Basketball in Summertime Saga: Strategies for Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ball is not for sale, but there are plans for future generations
The Wilson Airless Gen1 Basketball is an innovative design that could potentially transform the sport. The ball is a 3D-printed, airless basketball made from a combination of special chemicals and featuring a hexagonal pattern. While it is not for sale to the general public, Wilson has debuted the ball at the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and plans to release it in a limited capacity in 2024.
The Airless Gen1 is designed to match the performance of a regular NBA ball in terms of weight, size, and bounce. The lattice structure, consisting of eight panel-like "lobes", eliminates the need for inflation. The ball is made from a laser-sintered powder of a proprietary custom elastomeric material, specifically tailored to the needs of a basketball. This intricate manufacturing process took several years for engineers at Wilson Labs in Chicago to develop.
The ball's unique design features hexagonal, or bee-hive shaped, holes that provide a natural grip. The small hole size ensures that a player's finger will not go through the ball, maintaining a comfortable grip. The outer surface of the ball can be modified to match that of a conventional ball, ensuring that it feels and handles in a familiar way.
While the Airless Gen1 is not intended for widespread sale, it represents a significant step towards the future of basketball. Wilson intends to continue refining the design and exploring the potential of 3D-printing technology. The company hopes to drive the industry towards embracing innovation and challenging traditional notions of basketball design. The Airless Gen1 serves as a testbed for future generations of basketballs, with Wilson expressing a desire to release subsequent generations in the future.
Basketball's Original Purpose: A Game-Changing Invention
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The NBA airless basketball is a 3D-printed basketball with a lattice structure made from a series of nodes and struts. The ball is made from a laser sintered powder of a proprietary custom elastomeric material. It is designed to match the performance of a regular NBA ball in terms of weight, size and bounce.
The NBA airless basketball is manufactured by Wilson Sporting Goods, the company that creates the official basketball for the NBA.
The NBA airless basketball is designed to address the issue of inflatable balls going flat. The ball's lattice structure eliminates the need for inflation and provides more durability. The ball also has improved grip due to the small holes throughout, allowing players' fingers to find natural grip points.
The NBA airless basketball is currently a prototype and Wilson is not pushing for its use in games. The ball may be introduced at the college level before making its way to the NBA after it has been fully tested and perfected.
