Carbon keeps pushing boundaries of digital manufacturing. The 3D printing specialist has recently unveiled its new technology, the L1 Digital Light Synthesis system whose performances are already being appreciated in the manufacturing of Riddell’s helmets.
The new platform integrates a 3D printed lattice liner that is digitally manufactured using Carbon’s proprietary Digital Light Synthesis™ (DLS™) technology. It functions with a custom resin that enables to print the lattice structures in the Diamond liners, meeting therefore demanding performance requirements of Riddell.
Acknowledged for head protection leadership, Riddell has been experiencing 3D solutions since 2017. In order to reinforce their commitment to advancing on-field protection for football players, the specialist is moving forward with Carbon.
The technology is initially available in the Riddell SpeedFlex Precision Diamond helmet model, which features Riddell’s Precision-Fit head scanning and helmet fitting process.
“As the first to use digital manufacturing in football helmets, Riddell continues our industry leadership by embracing promising new technologies and advancing our innovation roadmap today and into the future”, said Riddell Senior Vice President of Research and Product Development, Thad Ide.
How does Carbon technology create Riddell’s helmet?
Thanks to physical simulation and optimization techniques, Carbon will adjust structures that will support both linear and rotational impact energies. Over 140,000 individual struts constitute the helmet. They are ranging into various patterns that reduce impact forces while providing excellent comfort and fit.
The result is a Carbon DLS-printed, custom fit, impact absorbing helmet liner designed to advance the state-of-the-art in head protection. Riddell’s proprietary database of over 5 million impacts captured by Riddell’s smart helmet technology will allow for custom and individualized tuning of lattice structures in the future.
Riddell SpeedFlex Precision Diamond helmets were used by select players on most NFL teams during the 2018 season and will be commercially available on a limited basis at the elite level starting in 2019.
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