Pointeeshoe

What it does

The Pointeeshoe is an innovation for classical Ballett, optimized by 3D-scanning and printing to individualize the shoe and for support of the ballerina‘s foot, facing the problem of extremely high consumption and missing comfort at classical pointeeshoes.

Your inspiration

Classical Pointeeshoes easily become to soft to afford safety during the toedance but also flexibility is necessary, so dancers prepare them before. Professional dancers use up to two pairs a week. I had the idea to print Pointeeshoes reading an article of 3D-printed soles, because I dance Ballett since the age of five. Even though I found out about the need of innovation by intensive research because until today, classical pointeeshoes damage the foot and cost a lot while the consumption is high.

How it works

To fit the toebox perfectly on the Ballarina‘s foot, it gets scanned in extended position. 3D-printing technology makes it possible to build a Hexagon structure, which is adapted to the pressure of the bodyweight while standing on the toes.The sole is flexible in one direction because of cuts underneath after a patent of Mike-Martin Robacki and also stabile for pointeedance. With 3D-Scan deformities can be fixed by adjusting the position of underneath cuts. Just the necessary ergonomic parts are printed to keep plastic, weight and the productional costs small. A spiral belt structure and classical satin ribbon bands hold the shoe extremely tight on the foot. A satin cover shoe can be added for performances for a classical image. Every part of the pointeeshoe can be replaced or changed seperately so that it is not necessary to buy a whole new shoe because of a small damage.

Design process

I began my research with a market analysis. I learned how classical pointeeshoes were made or read about the consequences of pointeedance. To find out more about the user experience I visited a theater to regard a training of professional dancers and made interviews. For them a tight fit and the right temper were most important. To find out about pressure on the forefoot I marked the hurting parts at my own feet after pointeedancing. In university we 3D-scanned my foot in extended position to fit the toebox perfectly to the toes and formed a last, so that I was able to try concepts and pre-models. To keep the shoe comfortable I decided just to print the fitting parts. I tried out bandstructures and noted my feelings of flexibility and connection to the foot. After all I decided to have a heel connection with stretchable textile to the heel plus the classical satin ribbon around the ancle. For the hexagon structure and aesthetics I modified many patterns fitted to the last to decide for a spiralic appearance which mirrors the classical satin bands around the ancle. The sole concept after the patent of M. Robacki I modified for 3D-print, by making pressure tests of each structure. For the material research I visited shoe factories with my pre-model and kept their recommendations.

How it is different

In comparison to other pointeeshoe concepts, my project is facing the ergonomical, economical and aesthetical problems by using 3D-printing technology. Through the possibilities of 3D-print we can built the shoe to fit perfectly to the Ballerina‘s foot, which increases the ergonomical comfort enormously. Also deformations or false positions can be slightly compensed. It reduces the costs because the 3D-print should be a long lasting material and every part can be replaced and changed seperately. The art and culture of classical Ballett is beautiful and valuable for example at the satin band-structure, which I used and got inspired of. My design is hidden if it is necessary to respect the classical image since the appearance in classical Ballett is very significant eversince.

Future plans

To optimize the pointeeshoe, sportscientific studies with classical pointeeshoes and prototypes are planned. Trials in pressure, stand, flexibility, MRT and long-term consequences would be possible. They should help to understand the pressure while standing on the toes or dancing. This would be necessary to generate the Hexagon-structure. (The higher the pressure the tighter the Hexagon structure.) Like climbing shoes the pointeeshoe could be pre formed under pressure to support the toes. The material needs to be specified and practiced in prototypes, while strongness, flexibility, surface, long-life resistence and ecology is important.

Awards

The Pointeeshoe won the 3D-Pioneers-Challenge this year (06.2018)