NASCAR Partners With Stratasys to Lead Motorsports: NASCAR has taken a decisive leap into the future of motorsports by expanding its partnership with Stratasys, a leader in advanced 3D printing technology. This collaboration ushers in a new era of innovation, establishing a cutting-edge 3D printing lab at NASCAR’s R&D Center in Concord, NC. Utilizing advanced technologies like the F370, 450mc, F900 FDM, and NEO800 SL printers, the partnership aims to revolutionize the production processes for parts, enhancing NASCAR’s competitive edge. Rapid prototyping and on-demand production facilitate faster iteration cycles and superior customization.
Key Highlights
- NASCAR partners with Stratasys as the exclusive 3D printing partner to enhance motorsports innovation.
- A new state-of-the-art 3D printing lab is established at the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord, NC.
- Advanced Stratasys technologies revolutionize part production and tooling design, including FDM and SL printers.
- 3D printing enables rapid prototyping, faster design iterations, and on-demand production of custom components.
- The partnership influences motorsports and commercial vehicle production, setting new benchmarks for innovation.
NASCAR Announces Expanded Partnership with Stratasys
In a tactical move that emphasizes its commitment to technological innovation, NASCAR has announced an expanded partnership with Stratasys, solidifying the latter as the exclusive 3D printing partner for the organization. This strategic alliance highlights NASCAR’s forward-thinking approach, as it adopts cutting-edge technologies to improve its competitive edge in motorsports.
By exclusively using Stratasys’ 3D printing capabilities, NASCAR is ready to revolutionize its production processes, paving the way for faster, more efficient, and highly customizable solutions in parts and tooling design.
The partnership marks a noteworthy milestone as NASCAR initiates a new era of innovation with the establishment of a state-of-the-art 3D printing lab at its Research & Development Center in Concord, North Carolina. This facility will serve as a hub of creativity and technical excellence, equipped with an impressive array of Stratasys technologies, including the F370, 450mc, and F900 FDM printers, alongside the NEO800 SL printer.
These advanced machines are set to play a crucial role in NASCAR’s three national series, supporting research, development, and the production of vital components.
Stratasys’ role as a critical technology provider is further solidified by this expanded partnership, reflecting NASCAR’s confidence in their ability to deliver industry-leading solutions. The collaboration not only improves NASCAR’s operational capabilities but also sets a new benchmark for innovation in the motorsports industry.
Benefits of Stratasys Technology for NASCAR
NASCAR’s expanded partnership with Stratasys represents more than just a commitment to innovation; it reveals the tangible benefits that advanced 3D printing technology brings to the fast-paced world of motorsports.
Stratasys technology offers an unprecedented level of agility, allowing NASCAR engineers to expedite design cycles and produce custom components on demand. This capability guarantees that NASCAR remains at the cutting edge of performance and safety, vital in an environment where milliseconds matter.
- Faster Design Iterations: The ability to rapidly prototype and test new components means engineers can iterate designs more quickly. This accelerates the development process, allowing NASCAR teams to implement cutting-edge innovations at a pace previously unattainable.
- On-Demand Production: Stratasys’ 3D printing technology enables the production of bespoke components as needed. This flexibility reduces lead times greatly, guaranteeing that teams have the exact parts they need, precisely when they need them, without the delays associated with traditional manufacturing methods.
- Improved Customization: With 3D printing, NASCAR can customize parts to meet specific performance requirements or adjust to track conditions. This level of personalization improves vehicle performance and driver safety, offering a competitive edge.
John Probst, Executive Vice President, Chief Racing Development Officer at NASCAR, emphasizes the impact of this partnership.
“Partnering with Stratasys allows NASCAR to push the boundaries of performance and accuracy like never before. Their 3D printing technology empowers us to quickly iterate and optimize components, ensuring that our staff has the best possible machines to stay ahead in this high-stakes environment. Stratasys has proven to be a valuable partner, and this agreement represents our commitment to staying at the forefront of motorsports innovation.” – (John Probst)
Enhanced Capabilities with FDM and SL Technologies
The integration of advanced FDM and SL technologies marks a considerable leap forward in NASCAR’s engineering capabilities. Stratasys’ improvement of the existing Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) within NASCAR’s R&D center is set to redefine the boundaries of large-scale part production. This expansion allows engineers to push the envelope of design complexity and manufacturability, facilitating the creation of bespoke components with unmatched precision.
By using FDM technology, NASCAR can efficiently produce aerodynamic parts that are crucial for performance testing, ultimately leading to more informed design decisions and innovations on the track.
Moreover, the introduction of Stratasys NEO® stereolithography (SL) technology brings a new dimension to NASCAR’s manufacturing toolkit. SL’s ability to produce high-resolution, intricate parts is particularly advantageous for applications requiring meticulous precision and detail.
This technology is assured to excel in developing high-precision tooling and production parts, enabling NASCAR to streamline its prototyping processes and accelerate the pace of innovation. With SL, the turnaround time from concept to finished product is greatly reduced, allowing NASCAR to remain agile in motorsports.
These advanced capabilities highlight the revolutionary power of 3D printing in motorsports, offering unmatched design and manufacturing flexibility. By embracing these technologies, NASCAR not only optimizes its engineering processes but also sets a new standard for performance and innovation in the industry.
Stratasys Contributions to NASCAR Performance
Revving up NASCAR’s competitive edge, Stratasys has become an essential ally in enhancing vehicle performance through cutting-edge 3D printing technologies. This collaboration has altered the NASCAR Cup Series cars, with every vehicle on the track now incorporating 3D printed components.
By harnessing the power of additive manufacturing, Stratasys is elevating NASCAR’s performance and setting new standards in motorsports engineering. The partnership between Stratasys and NASCAR has yielded numerous advancements, including:
- On-demand production parts: Utilizing the H350 SAF printer, Stratasys Direct Manufacturing crafts custom components like the cold air inlet vent made from plant-based Nylon11 material. Positioned at the top center of the windshield, this innovation channels air into the car, efficiently cooling the driver during intense races.
- Enhanced thermal management: Engineers employ FDM printers at the NASCAR R&D Center to fabricate essential components such as the NACA duct. Crafted from ULTEM® 9085 black material, this duct is strategically located on the lower engine panel to effectively exhaust hot air from the engine bay, ensuring peak engine performance.
- Accelerated design cycles: The streamlined production process facilitated by Stratasys allows NASCAR to swiftly iterate designs, greatly reducing development times and enhancing part performance—a vital advantage in the fast-paced world of motorsports.
Rich Garrity, Chief Business Unit Officer at Stratasys, highlights the broader implications of this partnership, noting that innovations born from high-performance racing environments can drive advancements in commercial vehicle production.
“Our partnership with NASCAR allows Stratasys to showcase the unique advantages of 3D printing in motorsports. From on-demand manufacturing of custom components to speeding up the design cycle, we’re helping NASCAR with faster production times and enhanced part performance. Furthermore, our work in high-performance environments like NASCAR spurs innovation in the production of commercial vehicles, demonstrating the broader impact of additive manufacturing across the automotive industry.” – (Rich Garrity)
News in Brief: NASCAR Partners With Stratasys to Lead Motorsports
The expanded partnership between NASCAR and Stratasys marks a notable advancement in the integration of 3D printing technology within motorsports. By using FDM and SL technologies, NASCAR can improve vehicle performance and innovation.
Stratasys contributes essential technological capabilities that lead to improved design flexibility, reduced production times, and cost efficiencies. This collaboration highlights a tactical move towards cutting-edge engineering solutions, positioning NASCAR at the forefront of technological innovation in the competitive racing industry.
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