Reebok Introduces Liquid Factory

Reebook has introduced a Liquid Factory, where software and robotic machinery will use liquid material to create 3D layers.

Developed by the Reebok Future team, the factory will use liquid material, created especially for Reebok, to create shoe components without the use of traditional molds, which it hopes to change how shoes are constructed.

Robots use the liquid materal to create an energy-return outsole, which according to Reebok performs better than a normal rubber outsole. It has also been designed to stretch and mold to the foot for a personalised fit.

Reebok will release 300 pairs of the first shoe from the factory, Reebook Liquid Speed and work with AF Group to open the factory in early 2017.

Reebok, head of future, Bill McInnis said in a statement. “Footwear manufacturing hasn’t dramatically changed over the last 30 years, Liquid Factory opens up brand new possibilities both for what we can create, and the speed with which we can create it.

“With this new process, we were able to program robots to create the entire shoe outsole, without molds, by drawing in layers with a high-energy liquid material to create the first ever energy-return outsole, which performs dramatically better than a typical rubber outsole. The all new Liquid Factory process is also used to create a unique fit system that stretches and molds around the foot, providing a three dimensional fit.”

Reebok president Matt O’Toole added: “The Reebok Future team was created to innovate not only the products we make, but also the process by which we make them. We’re looking at how we can bring speed, customization and enhanced product performance to the process of creating footwear–and Liquid Factory is a very exciting development in this area.”