From the Court to the Lab: The Story of the Airless Prototype Basketball

Additive Snack

Additive manufacturing (AM) is not only a tool to enhance the performance of applications and create more agile supply chains – it’s also becoming a tool to increase brand value and awareness. Today, we dive into the story of the innovative engineering and viral marketing of the first ever 3D printed, Airless Prototype Basketball developed by Wilson Sporting Goods.

Host Fabian Alefeld is joined by Dr. Nadine Lippa, Innovation Manager at Wilson Sporting Goods, and Tyler Webb, Sports Marketer and Co-founder of Uncle Charlie. Nadine, the brilliant mind who led the product development of Wilson’s Airless Prototype Basketball, shares behind-the-scenes moments from the project’s origin to meeting Shaquille O’Neal and Mark Cuban courtside. Tyler, the creator of the viral video that sent ripples across the internet, shares how he made the Airless Prototype Basketball the most-seen additive manufacturing application ever created.

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Key Takeaways:

[1:27] Nadine describes what it felt like to be courtside at the NBA Dunk Contest when her 3D printed Airless Prototype Basketball was revealed.

[6:31] Wilson’s additive manufacturing journey didn’t begin with a basketball; Nadine shares some history.

[9:38] Nadine explains the complex process her team used to turn a polymer into a high-performance basketball and the biggest challenges the team faced.

[16:20] How did Wilson’s marketing efforts go viral to ignite a trend of combining additive manufacturing and sports?

[26:24] Tyler shares his thoughts about when he first saw Wilson’s Airless Prototype Basketball and what he sees as the future impact of additive in sports.

[35:49] Tyler explains how 3D printed products like the airless basketball can improve safety and performance in sports.