Parametric Design furniture
August 20, 2023
Michaela Crie Stone lives and works in Rockport, Maine, where she creates pieces that push the parameters of function by blurring the lines between art, craft, and design.
Well known tire manufacturer Michelin introduces an airless, 3D printed tire made from recycled biodegradable like natural rubber, bamboo, paper, tin cans, wood, and plastic, which means it can be totally recycled after its life cycle.
At the Movin’ On Exhibition and International Summit for Sustainable Mobility in Montreal, Michelin unveiled this new futuristic concept! Unlike traditional air-pressurized tires, the 3D-printed prototype doesn’t need to be inflated.
Instead, the Visionary Concept tire uses a honeycomb pattern based on generative design models found in nature, such as coral and the air sacs in human lungs. This design diminishes the risk of a blowout or flats due to punctures.
So if you need a winter tire for going up to the mountains or an off road tire for some backwoods driving, it’ll be as simple as the push of a button. However, as this tire is still just a prototype, it looks like the general mass consuming public will need to still use and deal with the vastly inefficient, archaic, pressurized rubber tires for the time being.
