What do you think is the maximum length a basketball can be? 1,000 TL? 3,000 TL? 5,000 TL? No, 80,000 TL! Moreover, there is not even air in this basketball. So, one of the most important things that make a basketball a ball is missing. How?
Last year, the 3D printed, airless basketball ball prototype was introduced by the Wilson brand and it was announced that it would be available for sale in limited quantities. It went on sale last February 16th and sold out within minutes! Besides 2,500 dollars, that is almost 80,000 TL Although.
This airless ball, which those with trypophobia will probably have difficulty even looking at; It is exactly the same as other basketballs in terms of size, weight and bounce. The biggest difference, as we just mentioned, is no air inside. If you wish, let’s take a closer look at this interesting ball.
The airless basketball was introduced to basketball fans after being developed for a year.
Famous sports brand Wilson; It has no air inside and bounces using structural strength instead of internal air pressure. “Wilson Airless Gen1” He created the prototype of the airless basketball called the Ball and made many improvements on it for a year.
in a traditional basketball holes in the channels to play the role of seams added. The ball, which stands out with its honeycomb appearance as well as being airless, was produced on the EOS P396 SLS 3D printer. Finally, it went through processes such as softening, painting and sealing and became what we see.
“Wilson Airless Gen1” promotional video:
There are different opinions about the airless basketball.
Although the design of the “Airless Gen1”, produced in black, brown and off-white (the unpainted version is already this way), is groundbreaking. about whether it is useful or not. Of course, there are differences of opinion, especially among the players.
Some players like the airless basketball It will never give you the feeling of a real ball. Or he thinks that he will not be able to use it efficiently outdoors and that it will be thrown around as soon as air fills it. Others think airless balls could be the future of the new generation of basketballs.
“Wilson Airless Gen1”, which costs approximately 80,000 TL, ran out of stock as soon as it went on sale.
Even though there are concerns, enthusiasts are pleased with the $2,500 product; Without waiting, he consumed it within minutes. Wilson admits that the cannon is not for the masses, but not only are production costs expensive at the moment. The development process will continue and states that these will not be the last balls produced.
Kevin Krysiak, the company’s Director of Global Research and Development, said: “While anything imaginable can be produced with 3D printing, there are products that are bouncy, durable, grip-friendly and have more sustainable materials than traditional leather balls He says they need more development and time because they are trying to produce something.
Even though the brand or the NBA did not make an official statement on this matter, excited basketball fans will notice it after a while. about becoming a standard ball to be used in matches enthusiastic. We’ll wait and see. How did you like this stuffy basketball?
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