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标题: Nike Uses 3D-Printed Vortex Generators in Racing Suit for Olympic Champion Keely Hodgkinson [打印本页]

作者: admin 时间: 2026-11-3 12:16
标题: Nike Uses 3D-Printed Vortex Generators in Racing Suit for Olympic Champion Keely Hodgkinson
On October 29, 2026, Nanjixiong learned that Nike had created a custom racing suit for British Olympic 800 m champion Keely Hodgkinson. Tiny 3D-printed triangular protrusions, which Nike calls “vortex generators,” are positioned on the shoulders, thighs, torso, and hood. Hodgkinson first wore the suit at Athlos in London, winning the 800 m in 1:56.80.

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The delta-shaped protrusions were designed using computational fluid dynamics. Their sizes and angles differ by location, creating small vortices that help airflow stay closer to the body, reduce the wake, and lower aerodynamic drag. Nike Product Design Director Hannah Amis said the team spent six months refining the details. The suit was made almost entirely by hand at Nike's LeBron James Innovation Center, with minimal seams and no fasteners.

Nike has not disclosed the specific printing technology or materials, nor quantified the actual drag reduction.

Nanjixiong's observations

Millimeter-scale printed features can influence track performance. This is a characteristic sports-equipment application of additive manufacturing: producing tiny geometric features difficult to make conventionally, rather than printing the entire garment.

AI-translated from an article by Kuaixiong on Nanjixiong, originally published on 2026-10-29. Text and images retain the original source attribution.
Read the original Chinese article

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