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Sports equipment manufacturer Wilson has developed a prototype 3D-printed airless basketball that does not need to be inflated. The ball is made from an elastomeric polymer with a lattice structure of small, hexagonal holes. This lattice structure allows air to pass through the ball and contributes to its bounce, which is comparable to that of a traditional basketball. While Wilson has not disclosed the exact material composition of the ball, it is described as squishy and bouncy. The airless design eliminates the need for inflation and addresses issues with deflation caused by blunt force, manufacturing defects, or air escaping over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Elastomeric polymer, possibly Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PEBA) |
| Manufacturing Process | 3D-printed |
| Structure | Lattice with hexagonal holes |
| Properties | Airless, nearly silent, durable, bouncy |
| Use | Does not need to be inflated, no air pump or needle required |
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What You'll Learn
The ball is 3D-printed
Sports equipment manufacturer Wilson has launched a prototype 3D-printed airless basketball. Unlike traditional basketballs, the ball does not need to be inflated. Instead, it is made from a polymer lattice structure with hexagonal holes that allow air to pass through. This lattice structure is responsible for the ball's bounce, which mimics that of a traditional basketball.
The 3D-printed ball was designed to bounce like traditional basketballs. According to Nadine Lippa, Wilson's lead engineer on the project, the company aimed to develop a ball that performs the same as typical basketballs in size, weight and bounce but does not need to be inflated. "My boss, Kevin Krysiak, originally charged me with reinventing the basketball," Lippa said. "One of the parameters or attributes that we felt could be improved upon is the fact that all inflatable balls eventually go flat, so the impetus for this was creating an airless ball that doesn't require the use of an air pump or a needle – it's just a single piece of equipment that you can just go out and play."
The ball's lattice structure also helps to solve the problem of contraction in inflated balls caused by changing environments and temperatures. "If you have the same amount of air inside an inflated ball and then you go into a cold environment, the contraction of the air causes the ball to appear or play like it's flat," Lippa explained. The 3D-printed polymer lattice, on the other hand, can deform and store energy, allowing the ball to bounce back up. This design feature also contributes to a quieter bounce compared to traditional basketballs.
While the exact materials used in the ball's construction have not been disclosed by Wilson, it is described as being made from a unique, highly elastic material. Reviews note that the ball feels very different to the hand, even while bouncing identically to a pressurized basketball. The ball is expected to be more durable than traditional basketballs, with tests showing that it could withstand being hit with a baseball bat without sustaining damage.
The 3D-printed airless basketball represents a significant innovation in sports equipment, offering a more sustainable and convenient alternative to traditional inflated basketballs. With its ability to bounce identically to pressurized basketballs and its durability, it has the potential to revolutionize the game and enhance the playing experience for athletes worldwide.
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It's made from elastomeric polymer
The airless basketball is made from an elastomeric polymer, a material developed by Wilson. This polymer is highly elastic and unique in its composition. Its lattice structure, created through 3D printing, is similar to a honeycomb, with small hexagonal holes that allow air to pass through.
The elastomeric polymer used in the airless basketball is designed to be durable and long-lasting. It can withstand aggressive conditions, such as being hit with a baseball bat, without sustaining significant damage. This feature addresses the common issue of basketballs deflating due to blunt force or manufacturing defects.
The lattice structure of the polymer is key to the ball's bounce. According to Monique McClain, a mechanical engineer at Purdue University, the lattice can deform and store energy, similar to springs. This stored energy is then released, allowing the ball to bounce back. The lattice design also contributes to the ball's quiet bounce, producing only a soft "whoosh" sound as air flows through.
While the exact composition of the elastomeric polymer remains undisclosed by Wilson, it is described as "squishy and bouncy." This unique material is designed to replicate the performance of traditional basketballs in terms of size, weight, and bounce, without the need for inflation. Nadine Lippa, Wilson's lead engineer on the project, aimed to create a ball that does not require the use of an air pump or needle, providing players with a single piece of equipment that is always ready for use.
The development of the elastomeric polymer for the airless basketball took six years of rigorous testing and design. Wilson utilized cutting-edge software and technology to create a ball that challenges convention by performing without the need for air. The result is a durable, innovative basketball that is nearly silent and never deflates.
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It has a lattice structure
Sports equipment manufacturer Wilson has developed a prototype 3D-printed airless basketball that does not need to be inflated. The ball has a lattice structure with small, hexagonal holes that allow air to pass through it. This lattice structure is created through 3D printing and is made from an elastomeric polymer developed by Wilson.
The lattice structure of the airless basketball gives the ball its bounce. According to Monique McClain, a mechanical engineer at Purdue University, the lattice can deform and store energy, which is then released when the ball bounces back up. The size of the bounce depends on the design of the lattice. This means that the ball can be designed to bounce to a desired height, solving the problem of finding a ball without air that rebounds to the expected height.
The lattice structure also contributes to the ball's durability. Nadine Lippa, Wilson's lead engineer on the project, notes that the ball was hit with a baseball bat during testing and did not sustain any damage. In addition, the airless design eliminates the issue of deflation caused by blunt force, manufacturing defects, or air escaping over time.
The airless basketball also addresses the problem of contraction in inflated balls due to changes in temperature or environment. Nadine Lippa explains that in colder environments, the contraction of air can cause an inflated ball to appear or play like it is flat. By eliminating the need for inflation, the airless basketball provides a consistent playing experience regardless of the temperature or environmental conditions.
The 3D-printed polymer lattice structure of the airless basketball is a significant innovation that offers multiple advantages over traditional inflated balls. While Wilson has not disclosed the exact material composition of the ball, it is described as a unique, highly elastic material that provides a different feel compared to standard basketballs.
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It's durable and doesn't need inflating
The airless basketball is made from a unique, highly elastic material. It is an elastomeric polymer developed by Wilson, which is a type of thermoplastic elastomer powder. This material is durable and can withstand aggressive conditions, such as being hit with a baseball bat, without sustaining damage. The ball has a lattice structure with hexagonal holes that allow air to pass through, giving it a similar bounce to a traditional basketball.
The 3D-printed design features "seams" and eight panels that reference the design of traditional basketballs. It is also designed to have roughly the same weight as a standard basketball. The airless design eliminates the need for inflation and overcomes issues with contraction in inflated balls caused by changing environments and temperatures.
While the exact material composition of the airless basketball is not publicly known, it is believed to be a mixture of something "squishy and bouncy". The lattice structure of the ball contributes to its bounce and durability, as it can deform and store energy, allowing it to bounce back. This design also makes the ball much quieter than a traditional basketball when bounced.
The airless basketball is expected to be more sustainable than traditional basketballs, as it eliminates the need for frequent replacements due to deflation. It also provides a consistent playing experience, as the performance of the ball is not affected by air pressure or temperature changes. Overall, the unique material and design of the airless basketball make it a durable and maintenance-free alternative to traditional inflated balls.
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It's designed to bounce like a traditional basketball
The Wilson Airless Gen 1 basketball is designed to bounce like a traditional basketball. The ball's lattice structure, made possible by 3D printing, is key to achieving this. The lattice is described as a kind of honeycomb, with small, hexagonal holes that allow air to pass through. This structure enables the ball to deform and store energy when it hits the ground, which is then released as the ball bounces back up. The size of the bounce can be adjusted by altering the design of the lattice.
The material used for the lattice also plays a significant role in achieving the desired bounce. Wilson has not disclosed the exact material, but it is described as a mixture of something "squishy and bouncy". It is an elastomeric or elastic polymer, specifically developed by Wilson for this application. Nadine Lippa, Wilson's lead engineer on the project, described the challenge of finding a material that would rebound to the expected height without the use of air pressure.
The original airless basketball prototype was made from a high-impact thermoplastic elastomer powder material. Other potential materials that have been suggested include PETG, TPE, and Polypropylene (PP). However, these materials may not provide the same level of bounce as the material ultimately chosen by Wilson.
The Airless Gen 1 basketball is designed to perform identically to a traditional basketball in terms of size, weight, and bounce, while eliminating the need for inflation and the associated issues of deflation and contraction in different environmental conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
The airless basketball is made from an elastomeric polymer developed by Wilson. It is a 3D-printed lattice design with hexagonal holes that allow air to pass through it.
The airless basketball does not need to be inflated and therefore cannot deflate, eliminating the need for a pump or needle. The ball also overcomes contraction in inflated balls caused by changing temperatures.
The airless basketball has been designed to perform the same as a traditional basketball in terms of size, weight and bounce. However, it feels different to the hand, and some players may struggle to adjust to the amount of force required to make a shot.
While Wilson has not revealed the exact makeup of their airless basketball, other 3D-printing enthusiasts have experimented with materials such as TPE, PETG, and PEBA.
