Running Shoe With Interchangable Sole

The Interchangeable Running Shoes are a stylish, high-performance wearable for runners, featuring a modular sole system that allows users to swap soles for different conditions (road, trail, or track). Designed in Autodesk Fusion and rendered in KeyShot, the shoes use recycled materials and a magnetic locking mechanism for sustainability and functionality. The design reduces waste by replacing multiple shoe pairs with one upper and three soles, promoting eco-conscious running. 3D printing files (STL) are included for students to fabricate components, making the project accessible and reproducible.

1. Recycled EVA foam (shoe upper padding and sole base, from post-consumer waste)
2. Recycled polyester mesh (breathable upper, from plastic bottles)
3. Neodymium magnets (10mm diameter, 5N force, for sole attachment, 6 per shoe)
4. TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) (sole treads, 3D-printed for durability)
5. Nylon laces (recycled, for secure fit)
6. 3D printing filament (PLA for sole molds and magnet housings)
7. Eco-friendly adhesive (for bonding upper components)
8. Tools: 3D printer, sewing machine, laser cutter (optional), utility knife

1. Objective: Create running shoes with interchangeable soles for versatility, using sustainable materials and magnetic attachment.
2. Sketches: Draw a sleek, modern running shoe with a breathable upper and three sole types:
3. Road Sole: Thick EVA foam for cushioning on pavement.
4. Trail Sole: TPU treads for grip on rough terrain.
5. Track Sole: Thin, lightweight for speed.
6. Sustainability: Use 70% recycled materials to minimize environmental impact.

1. Shoe Upper Base:
2. In Fusion, model a permanent sole base (attached to the upper) for your foot size (e.g., US size 9, 27cm length).
3. Add six slots (three per side) for neodymium magnets to secure soles.
4. Use Form and Solid tools to create a 3mm-thick, ergonomic base with a curved profile.
5. Interchangeable Soles:
6. Design three soles (road, trail, track) as separate bodies, each with magnet slots and unique treads.
7. Use Extrude and Sculpt tools for EVA foam cushioning (2cm thick for road, 1.5cm for trail, 1cm for track) and TPU treads.
8. Magnet Housings:
9. Model small (12mm x 5mm) PLA housings to encase magnets, with a lip for bonding.
10. Ensure housings align perfectly between the base and soles.
11. Assembly:
12. Create a Fusion Assembly to combine the upper base, magnets, and soles.
13. Use Joints to align magnets (opposite poles for attraction) and test sole attachment.
14. Simulation:
15. Run Fusion Simulation to test the sole base under running loads (e.g., 500N impact force).
16. Use Generative Design (optional) to optimize the base for weight and strength.
17. Evaluate material sustainability in Fusion, confirming recycled EVA reduces carbon footprint by 40% vs. virgin EVA.
18. 3D Printing Files:
19. Export sole molds and magnet housings as STL files for 3D printing (included in the Instructable).

1. Import Fusion models into KeyShot.
2. Apply realistic materials: recycled polyester (matte texture) for the upper, EVA foam (soft sheen) for soles, and TPU (rubbery) for treads.
3. Set up a modern urban background (e.g., city park) and dynamic lighting.
4. Render three views: full shoe with each sole type (road, trail, track) in a black-and-green color scheme.
5. Export high-resolution images for the Instructable.

1. 3D Print Sole Molds and Housings:
2. Use provided STL files to print molds and magnet housings in PLA (0.2mm layer height, ~4 hours per mold).
3. Ensure prints are smooth; sand if needed.
4. Cast Soles:
5. Melt recycled EVA foam (pellets or granules) and pour into 3D-printed molds for road and track soles.
6. For the trail sole, 3D print TPU treads separately and bond to the EVA base.
7. Cure for 24 hours, trim excess with a utility knife.
8. Magnet Housings:
9. Insert magnets into PLA housings and seal with eco-friendly adhesive.
10. Shoe Upper:
11. Cut recycled polyester mesh and EVA foam using a laser cutter or scissors, based on a running shoe pattern (e.g., open-source template).
12. Sew components with a sewing machine, adding recycled nylon laces.

1. Attach Sole Base:
2. Bond the 3D-printed sole base to the shoe upper with eco-friendly adhesive.
3. Secure six magnet housings (with magnets) to the base slots, ensuring correct polarity.
4. Attach Interchangeable Soles:
5. Bond magnet housings to each sole’s top surface.
6. Test snapping each sole (road, trail, track) onto the base, confirming a secure 30N connection (5N per magnet x 6).

1. Test the shoes on different surfaces (pavement, dirt trail, track).
2. Confirm comfort, magnet reliability, and sole performance (e.g., trail sole grips, road sole cushions).
3. If soles detach or feel bulky, adjust magnet placement or sole thickness in Fusion and reprint.