With technology firms and innovators utilizing 3D printing in manufacturing, Nike has joined the fray with the debut of the Nike Vapor Laser Talon. The Nike Vapor Laser Talon is the first football cleat built using 3D printing technology.

Nike designers worked with trainers within Nike SPARQ and sprinter Michael Johnson to develop a shoe to train athletes on their 40 time.

“Nike’s new 3D printed plate is contoured to allow football athletes to maintain their drive position longer and more efficiently, helping them accelerate faster through the critical first 10 yards of the 40,” said Johnson. “Translated to the game of football, mastering the Zero Step can mean the difference between a defensive lineman sacking the quarterback or getting blocked.”

The cleat was designed using Selective Laser Sintering technology (SLS). The technique uses lasers to bind components into 3D objects.

The SLS process will streamline the traditional manufacturing technique, allowing for faster design and production updates.

“SLS technology has revolutionized the way we design cleat plates – even beyond football – and gives Nike the ability to create solutions that were not possible within the constraints of traditional manufacturing processes,” said Shane Kohatsu, Director of Nike Footwear Innovation in a blog post.

Nike+ and SPARQ have teamed up on previous projects including the Nike+ FuelBand, Nike+ Kinect Training and Nike+ Training apps.