CHICAGO, FEB 7, 2024
Wilson announces plan to sell first-ever,
3d printed basketball
- Leading additive manufacturing companies are forming the Additive Manufacturing Industrialization Navigator (AM I Navigator) initiative.
- The initiative offers AM users individual guidance with a comprehensive approach to navigate the complexity of the evolving landscape in industrial 3D printing.
- Holistic maturity model defines the five stages of additive manufacturing (AM) industrialization – reflecting the big picture of what it takes to adopt and realize AM applications for specific business cases.
Wilson Sporting Goods Co. today announces the release of the Wilson Airless Gen1™ – the innovative, first-of-its-kind 3D-printed basketball that never needs to be inflated. Building off the success of the Airless Prototype debut last year, the limited-edition Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball will be available for purchase on Feb. 16.
“We were overwhelmed by the excitement from our Airless Prototype, and we knew it was time to bring this rare, first-of-its kind innovation to the world,” said Kevin Murphy, General Manager, Team Sports at Wilson. “Wilson has gone where no brand has gone before with the release of the Airless Gen1 basketball, further inspiring the next generation of sports innovation.”

© Wilson Sporting Goods Co., In addition to the recognizable jet-black colorway of the prototype, the Airless Gen1 will also be available in brown and natural white
The Wilson Airless Gen1 has similar functionality to the prototype, however over the last year, the Wilson Labs team has taken the steps to increase performance and streamline the manufacturing process. The basketball nearly fits the performance specifications of a regulation basketball, including its weight, size and rebound (bounce). While the Wilson Airless Gen1 is crafted for play, it is truly a coveted, technology-infused product meant to create and inspire a new community of innovation enthusiasts and basketball hype curators alike.
The main updates to the Wilson Airless Gen1 include:
Improved functionality: Upgraded lattice design for more consistent performance and bounce. The ball still includes the same see-through lattice with eight panel-like “lobes.”
Streamlined manufacturing: Holes integrated within the channels to help speed up the manufacturing process, making it faster to create each ball. The basketball remains airless and does not to be inflated.
Enhanced customization: Each ball will have a built-in label for customization and will feature the exact, limited number in which it was produced.
Color variety: In addition to the recognizable jet-black colorway of the prototype, the Airless Gen1 will also be available in brown and natural white.
© Wilson Sporting Goods Co., Limited units of the Wilson Airless Gen1 will be available from Feb 16.
The Wilson Labs team leveraged the same game-changing process to create the Wilson Gen1 Airless basketball with key partners: General Lattice provided computational design services for elevated performance optimization, DyeMansion provided color and finishing solutions, EOS provided technical oversight and a roadmap for mass production, while SNL Creative was the primary manufacturing hub for this first launch.
Limited units of the Wilson Airless Gen1 will be available exclusively on Wilson.com beginning Friday, Feb. 16 for $2,500. Fans can also experience the product at Wilson’s on-site activation at NBA Crossover in Indianapolis from Feb. 16 – 18. To learn more, please visit Wilson.com and follow along @wilson and @wilsonbasketball.
DyeMansion is the global leader in post-processing solutions for industrial polymer 3D-printing that turns 3D-printed raw parts into high-value products. From perfect fit eyewear to personalized car interiors, their technology makes 3D-printed products become a part of our everyday life. Starting in 2015 with the first industrial coloring solution for powder bed fusion parts, the Munich-based company extended its portfolio with advanced part cleaning and surfacing solutions for a wider range of 3D-printing technologies in the field of plastics. Today, DyeMansion’s Print-to-Product workflow combines industry-leading hardware with the widest range of color and surfacing options on the market. Their systems are applicable for Industry 4.0 and can be integrated seamlessly into various production processes. The ability to provide a flexible solution for both small batches and high volumes makes DyeMansion a trusted partner for future factories. Through close collaboration with customers across all industries, the 3D-finishing technology and expertise continuously grow with the market. Reduced cost per part, unmatched quality, and high sustainability are core values that drive each innovation of the fast-growing company. In addition to these principles, finding the right finish for every application is what drives them. Learn more about DyeMansion and visit www.dyemansion.com, LinkedIn, Instagram, twitter or YouTube.
Press contact:
Pia Kramer, Director of Marketing, Brand & Experience
pia@dyemansion.com
Chicago, USA-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co., part of Amer Sports Corporation, is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. The Company brings more than a century of innovation, history and heritage across many sports including Racquet Sports, Baseball, Softball, American Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Golf.
In Basketball, Wilson is the supplier of Official Game Basketballs for the National Basketball Association® (NBA), the Women’s National Basketball Association® (WNBA), National Collegiate Athletic Association® (NCAA) for March Madness and the Final Four, Basketball Champions League (BCL), Basketball Africa League (BAL) and FIBA 3×3.
Press contact:
Annie Intrabartola
annie.intrabartola@wilson.com
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE NEWS!
Check out the latest updates on developments & innovations at DyeMansion and stay informed about current news, upcoming events and voices from the industry.
SOCIAL MEDIA
#STAYTUNED
Click on the button to load the content from Flockler.
CONTACT
DyeMansionPRESS CONTACT
Pia Kramer
Director of Marketing, Brand & Experience
+49 172 692 9360
pia@dyemansion.com