NASCAR and Toyota Choose Stratasys for 3D Printing of Race Car Parts – 3DPrint.com | Car Plazas

After World War II, stock car racing became one of this country’s most popular pastimes, and although it was not well organized at first, a sanctioning body for stock car racing called the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC, better known as NASCAR, was formed in 1948. Today, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,500 stock car races each year at over 100 tracks in 48 states, plus Canada, Mexico and Europe. Parts and components for these race cars are a major 3D printing application today, and Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS) just announced that it is now a NASCAR competitive partner. These two leading companies will work together to develop the first 3D printed production parts for NASACAR’s next-generation race cars, according to Stratasys.

Stratasys has a long history of 3D printing parts for race cars, from student teams and Andretti Autosport to Team McLaren and Team Penske, and the company has been working specifically with NASCAR teams for almost 20 years. Throughout this partnership, NASCAR has relied on Stratasys technology to produce drill guides and tooling for its race cars and now parts.

NASCAR Next Gen car designer holds the 3D printed windshield air cockpit vent unit.

“It’s exciting to see how NASCAR has used additive manufacturing in their vehicles. We helped them move from 3D printed prototypes to final production parts for their high performance race cars. We are honored to be named a NASCAR Competitive Partner and to provide all teams with the first production end-use parts for their next-generation cars,” said Pat Carey, senior vice president, Strategic Growth at Stratasys. “This partnership is a natural extension of the relationship we’ve built over nearly 18 years with NASCAR teams like Joe Gibbs Racing and Penske Racing. These teams were quick to adopt cutting-edge technologies to enhance their car designs and provide performance benefits, and now we’re excited to support expansion to all next-generation NASCAR vehicles.”

“After more than 18 years of working with Stratasys, we continue to be impressed by the quality, speed and flexibility that additive manufacturing offers. Our collaboration has helped advance the racing world through new technologies that improve the sport,” said Joe Gibbs, founder and CEO of Joe Gibbs Racing Team.

The Next Gen was unveiled at the Busch Light Clash this winter after completing more than 37,000 test miles to validate its new 3D printed parts. Stratasys Direct Manufacturing printed a high-performance cockpit windshield ventilation unit on its H350 system, which uses SAF powder bed fusion technology and was built for production control and consistency. High-yield PA11 – made from sustainable castor oil – was used to print the unit, which was then finished using DyeMansion equipment. The Stratasys Fortus 450mc printer was used to create a NACA duct on the underside for engine cooling designed by the Stratasys NASCAR team.

Joe Gibbs Racing #20 car driven by Christopher Bell featuring 3D printed windshield air cockpit vent unit by Stratasys Direct Manufacturing for all NASCAR Next Gen cars

“The next generation car could not have been completed without the collaboration of NASCAR competitive partners such as Stratasys and Stratasys Direct Manufacturing. During testing, we realized we needed an additive manufacturing solution that could withstand high temperatures and parts needed to be delivered quickly,” said John Probst, senior vice president, racing innovation, NASCAR. “We approached Stratasys Direct and they provided not only as a supplier but also as a consultant on this project. They gave us strategic direction in terms of design, materials and the right additive manufacturing technologies to produce the highest performing parts for the next generation cars.”

These 3D printed components are used by every team competing in the NASCAR Cup Series to provide greater flexibility, improved performance and aerodynamics, and reduced costs.

But the NASCAR collaboration isn’t the company’s only racing-related news this week: Stratasys also announced that it is an official partner of Toyota Racing Development (TRD). According to Carey, the company will help TRD adopt and “integrate additive manufacturing into their production as a prototyping, tooling and end-use part solution for the GR86 and TRD custom parts.” The resulting 3D printed production parts will be used for the Toyota GR86 in its new branded racing series – the GR Cup, sanctioned by SRO America and coming in 2023.

To move from prototyping to end-use parts, TRD will integrate three industrial-grade Stratasys 3D printing systems—the Fortus 450mc, the F370, and the new composite-ready F370 CR—at its manufacturing facilities in California and North Carolina. TRD will use these printers to produce several end-use parts for its full line of products and a nylon 12CF hood vent specifically for the Toyota GR86.

“Additive manufacturing has enabled us to quickly iterate, design and manufacture parts for our race cars in a way that would have been far more expensive or labor intensive using traditional manufacturing methods. By partnering with Stratasys, we are able to advance our manufacturing practices beyond what is currently possible and truly leverage the possibilities of additive manufacturing for production parts,” said David Wilson, President of TRD.

In addition, TRD is also a long-time Stratasys Direct customer and will use their services to 3D print a clamp for the GR86 on the SAF-powered H350 using the Stratasys High Yield PA11.

GR86 Test, Carolina Motorsports Park. Image: Jesse Love, Toyota