Reinventing Safety: Helmets, AM Tech, and Blunt Trauma

Additive manufacturing’s (AM) role in the groundbreaking area of enhancing athlete safety through new design freedoms or on-the-spot custom polymer pad printing is nothing short of remarkable. Whether it's a helmet, a knee pad, or even the shoes on a player's feet, the sports equipment of tomorrow is being revolutionized today with AM.

To unravel the intricacies of this fascinating subject, Host Fabian Alefeld is joined by the Professor & Director School of Kinesiology & Nutrition at the University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. Scott Piland. Scott is an expert at the intersection of sports and technology. He has been on the front lines of research and development, discovering how AM is sculpting the future of player safety devices and other crucial equipment.

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS.

Key Takeaways:

[1:02] Scott explains his journey from shoe salesperson to athletic trainer to a respected sports safety and AM material integrator.

[7:24] Scott shares his thoughts on the future role of AM in kinesiology and sports sciences. 

[14:13] The benefits AM offers to sports equipment designers to transform sport safety devices.

[21:27] How multidisciplinary groups use AM as a vehicle to innovate and transform a wide range of industries.

[26:51] Scott shares real-life applications of AM in sports and the long-term user benefits of technological enhancements.