A Vancouver startup, Casca is looking to merge additive manufacturing and 3D printing retail and footwear that will induce mass personalization to footwear and insoles.
Image source: Casca
The firm that recently obtained $3.5 million from Khosla Ventures, has unveiled its maiden store in Vancouver. The system by Casca utilizes custom 3D printing insoles created from 100 percent reusable materials. This is a digital application that examines the foot using a smartphone and footwear that are meant for reliable support.
Conclusively, Casca wants to completely grow its retail outlets by 2029 with 3D printers that will make shoes and insoles instantly. If this pushes through, Casca will localize its store chain.
The initial signs are that the Casca footwear that costs $198 for the leather type, are sturdy. They feel safe, have adequate bounce. You can know they are created for the extended haul standing about and holding the foot.
Kevin Reid and Braden Parker, Casca’s co-founders they also had something to say about this technology and vision.
Parker stated that the goal of the company is to make a daily shoe that provides support. The goal was to create a shoe with a thoughtful layout. They wanted a shoe can be used in all social setting or environment
“As we started looking at how we wanted to provide the proper orthotic support, we really had this realization that everyone’s feet are incredibly unique. And so to provide the true perfect support, you have to be able to create a unique component. And for us, 3-D printing was the obvious solution to that.” Said Parker.
3D printing impact on shoe manufacturing
Reid said that Casca is in a hybrid stage where it is combining 3D printing with legacy shoemaking. He, however, noted that the combination will be more of 3D printing.
“From day one I think we were experimenting with additive manufacturing to create prototypes. The shoemaking industry, the traditional kind of shoemaking industry is quite old school. “
“So there’s still a lot of half crapped up samples and stuff that you create. But I think leveraging technology to develop and iterate, it allows us to move really quickly and test a variety of designs and solutions. It’s definitely improved our ability to develop.” Added Reid
Foot mapping
The Casca application can outline every foot to 10,000 points of data. The company uses that data to make a 3D print that adjusts with the foot. They also create a model that offers position and weight stability support.
3D printing in retail
Reid and Parker stated that Casca is testing the function of 3D printing in the retail environment. The firm’s Vancouver flagship store has a sequence of systems creating insoles. However, the complete footwear might take some time.
“I think to be doing full shoes at that scale, there’s going to be a lot of challenges. But we do believe that within ten years we’ll be able to get to the point where you can see your entire shoe getting made in front of your eyes.” Says Parker.
