Back/Stratasys Expands NASCAR Partnership, Enhancing 3D Printing in Motorsports Innovation
tech·December 6, 2024·ssys

Stratasys Expands NASCAR Partnership, Enhancing 3D Printing in Motorsports Innovation

ED
Editorial
Cashu Finance·3 min read
TL;DR
  • Stratasys extends its partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing and becomes NASCAR's official 3D printing partner for five years.
  • A new 3D printing lab will be established at NASCAR's Research & Development Center to enhance design and production.
  • Stratasys' technologies are utilized in every NASCAR Cup Series vehicle, improving custom component manufacturing and vehicle performance.

Stratasys Strengthens Its Footprint in NASCAR with Expanded Partnerships

Stratasys Ltd. solidifies its position in the motorsports industry through a five-year extension of its longstanding partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and its designation as the official 3D printing partner for NASCAR. This collaboration, which spans over two decades, underscores Stratasys' commitment to advancing additive manufacturing within the competitive landscape of NASCAR. Mark Bringle, Managing Director of Technical Partnerships at JGR, highlights the importance of Stratasys’ cutting-edge 3D printing solutions in accelerating part production and testing, ultimately enhancing JGR's competitive edge on the track. The continued integration of Stratasys technologies is pivotal for JGR, allowing for rapid prototyping and the production of custom components that improve vehicle performance.

In conjunction with this partnership, Stratasys will establish a sophisticated 3D printing lab at NASCAR's Research & Development Center in Concord, North Carolina. The lab will be equipped with an array of Stratasys technologies, including the Fortus 450mc™, F370®, and NEO800 printers, designed to optimize the design and production of parts and tools. John Probst, NASCAR's Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer, emphasizes that this collaboration not only enhances research and development capabilities but also enables faster design cycles and the on-demand production of specialized components. This initiative marks a significant step in NASCAR's evolution, allowing teams to push the boundaries of performance and accuracy in vehicle design.

The practical implications of Stratasys' technologies are already evident, as every vehicle in the NASCAR Cup Series currently utilizes 3D printed parts. Notably, Stratasys collaborates with NASCAR Direct Manufacturing for the on-demand production of essential components, such as a cold air inlet vent crafted from plant-based Nylon11 and a NACA duct made from ULTEM® 9085 black material. Rich Garrity, Chief Business Unit Officer at Stratasys, underscores the distinct advantages of 3D printing in motorsports, particularly its capacity for custom component manufacturing on demand. This partnership not only solidifies Stratasys' role in the racing sector but also reflects its broader commitment to innovation and excellence in additive manufacturing.

Beyond its collaboration with JGR and NASCAR, Stratasys continues to lead the charge in various sectors, including aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. The company's innovative 3D printing solutions are helping diverse industries transition to additive manufacturing, showcasing the versatility and potential of this technology. As Stratasys and NASCAR embark on this exciting new chapter, they set a precedent for how advanced manufacturing techniques can revolutionize performance in high-stakes environments like motorsports.