ORLANDO, Fla.—3D print company Carbon won the 2019 Polyurethane Innovation Award. Presented at the recent Polyurethanes Technical Conference, the award was for the Speed Flex Precision Diamond football helmet liner.
Carbon worked with American football equipment specialist Riddell to 3D print the liner for the helmet. It used Riddell's database of 5m athlete head impacts in the design of the liner. Designed with a customized fit fo reach athlete the helmet is intended to reduce the effects of head impacts, according to Carbon.
"Carbon is honored to receive the CPI's 2019 innovation award," Jason Rowland, senior vice president of materials at the company, said in a statement.
Dow's Aquachill cool coating for comfier bedding was the runner-up in the awards.
Dow describes Aquachill as a water-based phase-change coating. Using the product with flexible foam gives sustained cooling and provides breathability, durability. The material adheres well to polyurethane, and has minimal odor.