Kristian Ferrell
Wilson Sporting Goods debuted its limited-edition 3D-printed Airless Gen 1 basketball in February 2024. The ball, which retails for $2,500, is the next iteration of a prototype the company introduced in 2023 that combined powder, lasers, and lattice to produce a basketball that does not require inflation. While the Airless Gen 1 has sold out, it is uncertain when more units will be available for purchase.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Airless Gen1 |
| Manufacturer | Wilson |
| Release Date | February 16, 2024 |
| Price | $2,500 |
| Units Available | A few hundred |
| Colours | Brown, Natural, Jet Black |
| Size | 7 |
| Personalisation | Yes |
| Technology | 3D-printed |
| Weight | Matches traditional basketball |
| Rebound | Matches traditional basketball |
| Circumference | Matches traditional basketball |
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$108.99 $159.99
$108.99 $159.99
What You'll Learn
Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball
The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball is a unique ball that needs no air to perform. This basketball is the result of six years of design and creation, using cutting-edge software and 3D printing techniques. It features a one-of-a-kind lattice structure that allows it to perform without requiring inflation. This innovative ball from Wilson Sporting Goods challenges the traditional design of basketballs.
The Airless Gen1 basketball is a size seven ball and was available in three limited-edition colours: brown, natural, and jet black. Each basketball features a personalised tag. The ball is created using 32 Pantone and material chips, allowing for a distinct colour for each ball.
The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball is a significant departure from the conventional leather basketball and is priced at a premium. At $2,500, it is considerably more expensive than a standard basketball or even Wilson's official NBA game ball, which retails for $200. Despite the high price tag, the limited-edition run of these basketballs sold out quickly.
While the Airless Gen1 basketball has generated interest and excitement, it is not intended to replace the traditional leather basketball. The ball's unique design and high price point position it as a novelty item or collector's piece for basketball enthusiasts. Wilson has not announced any plans to release additional units of the Airless Gen1 basketball, and it is uncertain if and when more will be available for purchase.
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3D-printed basketball
The Airless Gen1 basketball from Wilson Sporting Goods is a 3D-printed basketball that performs without requiring any air. It is the result of six years of work, employing cutting-edge software and rigorous testing by top engineers to create a ball that challenges convention. The Airless Gen1 basketball is available in size seven and features a unique lattice structure that eliminates the need for inflation. Its price tag of $2,500 is a notable difference from the standard $200 price of a Wilson NBA game ball. Despite the high cost, the initial batch of these basketballs sold out quickly.
The 3D-printed ball comes in three limited-edition colours: brown, natural, and jet black. Each colour is crafted using 32 Pantone and material chips, resulting in a unique and distinct look. While the Airless Gen1 basketball is not intended to replace traditional leather basketballs, it offers a novel and intriguing concept.
BIQU also offers a 3D-printed airless basketball, the BIQU PLA-HR, which is perfect for family fun and gatherings. This ball is available in four vibrant colours: black, blue, orange, and white. It provides a good grip and quiet play, making it ideal for indoor use. The BIQU PLA-HR has slightly lower elasticity than a standard basketball, but it still offers a decent bounce.
For those interested in 3D printing their own airless basketball, websites like printables.com provide free STL models. These models can be used with CAD software to create a double-hex lattice structure, ensuring the ball's performance and durability. Various materials have been tested by users, with BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse TPU 64D emerging as the best option thus far, offering good durability and a 60% bounce.
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$2,500 price tag
Wilson's Airless Gen1 basketball, priced at $2,500, was made available to the public on February 16, 2024. The ball, which is 3D-printed and has a unique lattice structure, is the next iteration of a prototype the company introduced in 2023. This prototype combined powder, lasers, and lattice to produce a basketball that does not require inflation. The lattice design has been updated to achieve a more consistent bounce, and holes have been added to the "channels" to expedite manufacturing times.
The Airless Gen1 basketball comes in a size seven with a personalized tag and is available in three limited-edition colors: brown, natural, and jet black. Each ball is also labeled by its exact number in the production line. Only a few hundred have been made, targeting fans, collectors, and tech enthusiasts who appreciate owning a piece of innovation.
The $2,500 price tag is a stark contrast to a Wilson's official NBA game ball, which sells for around $200. Despite the high price, the limited-edition basketballs quickly sold out. Wilson acknowledges that the current price point makes the ball inaccessible to the masses, but they saw enough demand during the prototyping process to justify the limited release.
Wilson plans to continue iterating on the Airless Gen1, working towards making the ball more widely accessible in the future. They recognize that advancements in 3D printing technology and materials are needed to drive down costs and make the airless basketball more affordable for a broader market. While the Airless Gen1 challenges convention with its innovative design, it will not be replacing the traditional leather basketball anytime soon.
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Limited edition
Wilson Sporting Goods Co. has announced the release of the limited-edition Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball. This unique ball is the first-of-its-kind 3D-printed basketball that never needs to be inflated. The Airless Gen1 was first introduced as a prototype during the 2023 AT&T NBA Dunk Contest and quickly gained popularity. Due to high demand, Wilson brought back the limited-edition basketball, which sold out immediately in 2024.
The Airless Gen1 basketball is a result of six years of innovation and development at Wilson Labs in Chicago. It challenges convention by performing without the need for air, thanks to its lattice structure. Each ball is labelled by its exact number in the production line, making each one unique. The ball is available in three limited-edition colours: brown, natural, and jet black.
The limited-edition release was made available for purchase ahead of Valentine's Day in 2025, exclusively on the Wilson website. The ball comes with a steep price tag of $2,500, which is more than ten times the price of Wilson's official NBA game ball. Despite the high price, the limited units sold out quickly, showcasing the excitement and demand for this innovative product.
Wilson's goal is to make the Airless basketball more widely accessible, and they continue to prioritize future iterations of the Airless Gen1 to bring technological advancements to the sport. The Airless Gen1 is a testament to Wilson's commitment to fueling the next generation of innovation and performance in the world of sports.
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Lattice design
The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball is the first airless basketball to be released to the public. It was made available for purchase on February 16, 2024, for $2,500 per ball. The ball is the result of a collaboration between Wilson Sporting Goods, the official supplier of basketballs for the NBA, and several other companies, including General Lattice, a lattice design specialist.
General Lattice's advanced lattice design capabilities were crucial in developing the airless basketball. The ball features a lattice structure that lets air pass through it, eliminating the need for inflation. This structure is made up of eight panel-like "lobes" and is covered with a pattern of open hexagons. The lattice design not only allows for air flow but also provides the ball with its bounce, similar to that of a traditional basketball.
The development of the airless basketball presented several challenges, particularly in ensuring that it bounced similarly to an inflated ball. Nadine Lippa, the innovation manager at Wilson, explained that finding the right materials and lattice designs to absorb energy and achieve the desired bounce was one of the biggest difficulties. General Lattice's computational design capabilities were instrumental in overcoming this challenge and optimizing the ball's hexagonal lattice architecture.
The lattice design of the airless basketball also offers several advantages over traditional inflated balls. Firstly, it eliminates the need for air pumps and needles, simplifying the inflation and maintenance process for players. Secondly, it overcomes the issue of contraction in inflated balls caused by changing environments and temperatures, which can affect the ball's performance. Lastly, the lattice design improves the ball's durability, as demonstrated by Wilson's testing, where the airless basketball was able to withstand aggressive conditions without sustaining damage.
The Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball is a significant innovation in the world of basketball, showcasing the potential of 3D printing and lattice design in sports equipment manufacturing. While it may not be adopted by professional basketball players anytime soon, it represents a step forward in the evolution of additive manufacturing and its impact on product design, production, and consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
Wilson debuted its limited-edition 3D-printed Airless Gen 1 basketball in February 2024.
The Airless Gen 1 basketball has a price tag of \$2,500.
The basketball was available for purchase on Wilson's website.
The target audience is fans, collectors, and tech enthusiasts who enjoy owning a piece of innovation before everyone else.
Only a few hundred Airless Gen 1 balls were made.
