NASCAR Shakes Up Racing Innovation with Powerful 3D Printing Partnership
In a move set to reshape the landscape of motorsports innovation, NASCAR is deepening its commitment to 3D printing technology by extending and expanding its partnership with Stratasys.
Revolutionizing Design and Production
Stratasys will now be the exclusive provider of 3D printing technology for NASCAR, providing a cutting-edge solution for designing and producing parts and tools for all three of NASCAR’s national series. The partnership will culminate in the development of a dedicated 3D printing lab at the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, North Carolina, housing an arsenal of Stratasys printers, including the F370, 450mc, and F900 FDM printers, and the NEO 800 stereolithography system.
“Partnering with Stratasys allows NASCAR to push the boundaries of performance and accuracy like never before,” said John Probst, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer at NASCAR. “They’re empowering us to rapidly iterate and optimize components, ensuring our teams have the best possible machines to stay ahead in this high-stakes environment. Stratasys has been a valuable partner in hockey and this agreement reinforces our commitment to staying at the forefront of motorsports innovation.”
Unlocking Speed and Agility in the Development Process
The inherent agility of 3D printing will be a game-changer for NASCAR’s engineers.
The team’s utilization of Stratasys’ technology already results in every vehicle on the track featuring 3D printed parts, showcasing just how vital and effective this partnership has been.
For example, NASCAR has leveraged Stratasys’ H350 SAF 3D printer and plant-based Nylon 11 material to create cold air inlet vents positioned atop the windshield of their NASCAR Cup Series cars, optimally directing air flow for efficient engine cooling. Another example highlights the versatility, utilizing FDM technology to construct NACA ducts, strategically placed on the lower engine panel to vent hot air and maintain optimal performance.
Pushing the boundaries of Motorsport Innovation
Rich Garrity, Chief Business Unit Officer at Stratasys, points to the wider impact:
“Our partnership with NASCAR allows Stratasys to showcase the unique advantages of 3D printing in motorsports,” Garrity shares.
“From on-demand manufacturing of custom components to accelerating the design cycle, we’re upporting NASCAR with faster production times and enhanced part performance.
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.”
Growing Strength Through Continued Partnerships
Alongside the expansion of their partnership with
NASCAR, Stratasys has extended its commitments to another racing powerhouse: Joe Gibbs Racing. The five-year extension solidifies a relationship already spanning two decades.
Joe Gibbs Racing, consistently ranking among the most successful teams in NASCAR will continue to benefit from Stratasys’ innovations.
Joe Gibbs Racing has been using Stratasys’ Fortus 450mc and F370CR printers and leveraging high-performance materials like Nylon-CF10 to accelerate prototyping and production. “Our partnership has allowed us to dramatically accelerate part production and testing, which has been critical to our success,” shares Mark Bringle, Mark Bringle Managing Director of Technical Partnerships at Joe Gibbs Racing.
“We’re excited to build on this collaboration
and look forward to what we can achieve together over the next five years. Stratasys is an invaluable partner having provided us with cutting-edge 3D printing solutions that give us a competitive edge on the track. This extension ensures we continue pushing the limits of innovation in motorsports.”
“Our partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing showcases the impact of additive manufacturing in motorsports,” adds Garrity. “We are thrilled to continue this collaboration for the next five years
, continuing to
help JGR push the boundaries of performance with innovative 3D printing solutions”
This new chapter in NASCAR’s history promises a future enriched by the power and possibilities of 3D printing technology.
How does the Stratasys 3D printing lab in Concord, North Carolina aim to enhance the capabilities of NASCAR engineers?
## NASCAR accelerates into the future with Stratasys 3D printing partnership
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show today! Joining us to discuss NASCAR’s groundbreaking partnership with Stratasys is Alex Reed, [Alex Reed Title]. Thanks for being here.
**Alex Reed:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer:** This partnership is making headlines – can you tell us what makes it so significant for NASCAR?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely! This goes beyond just a simple sponsorship; it’s a deep dive into utilizing 3D printing for everything from design to production. This partnership makes Stratasys the sole provider of 3D printing tech for all three of NASCAR’s national series, [1] which is huge!
**Interviewer:** The article mentions a new 3D printing lab in Concord, North Carolina. What kind of impact will that have?
**Alex Reed:** This lab will be a game-changer. Having dedicated Stratasys printers like the F370, 450mc, F900s, and even the NEO800 stereolithography system onsite will allow NASCAR engineers unprecedented design freedom and rapid prototyping capabilities, [1]. Imagine being able to test and refine new parts on the fly – that’s the kind of agility this partnership unlocks.
**Interviewer:** Can you give us some examples of how 3D printing is already being used in NASCAR?
**Alex Reed:** NASCAR is already utilizing Stratasys technology extensively. They’ve used the H350 SAF printer and Nylon 11 material to create cold air inlet vents for the Cup Series cars, optimizing airflow and engine cooling. They’ve also 3D printed NACA ducts using FDM technology on engine panels to manage heat effectively. [1]
**Interviewer:** It sounds like this partnership is driving innovation not just on the racetrack but also in the 3D printing industry itself?
**Alex Reed:** Exactly! Rich Garrity, Chief Business Unit Officer at Stratasys, stated that working with NASCAR allows them to showcase the true potential of 3D printing in a high-stakes, high-performance environment. This partnership pushes the boundaries of what’s possible and benefits both sides.
