Indestructible Soccer Ball Made from Injection Foam Molding
Posted by Nancy Grossbart
I love this story, even if we didn't make the “One World” soccer ball.
This soccer ball took 5 years to develop. I can believe it. I, absolutely, know how hard this soccer ball was to manufacture. I've worked on lots projects in the injection foam molding process that have required extensive R&D to make the product come out just right.
It all started when a music producer and inventor, Tim Jahnigen, saw how children traumatized by their violent environment “were desperate to play with anything.” It gave him the idea to create an indestructible soccer ball.
After 5 years of development, and some help from Sting, he developed a soccer ball with the injection foam molding process like Crocs sandals.
The soccer ball is indestructible because this soft foam is basically indestructible. How long have you worn your Crocs sandals? The soft foam has its own, extremely durable, skin that is formed during the manufacturing process. Inside the skin is an equally tough, closed cell, foam that won’t absorb liquid.
See how a truck can run over it and still not destroy it.
All of these process and foam benefits mean the kids will be able play with this ball in any environment with no chance of it being flattened, and almost no chance of it ever being damaged. I understand a ball was given to a lion in the Johannesburg zoo. Even he couldn’t destroy it.
You can learn more about it in an article in the San Francisco Chronicle.