BWT Alpine F1 Team Bolsters Additive Manufacturing Workflow

3D Systems announces BWT Alpine F1 Team has purchased four SLA 750 3D printing systems. The team made the decision to purchase the systems after it tested the product in its beta phase. BWT Alpine F1 Team is currently using the SLA 750 systems and 3D Systems’ Accura Composite PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) material to build models for wind tunnel testing, including complex aerodynamic parts with pressure tappings as well as small composite tools and high-temperature bonding jigs.

The team is seeing increases in productivity enabled by reduced build time and time between builds. The resulting parts are delivering sidewall and surface quality, feature detail, and high geometric accuracy, requiring less time to post-process and finish, according to 3D Systems.

“We are very impressed with the depth of precision engineering that went into the development of 3D Systems’ SLA 750,” says Ben Mallock, deputy head of aerodynamics, BWT Alpine F1 Team. “BWT Alpine F1 Team has a long-standing technical partnership with 3D Systems, and we were pleased to have early access to this product when it was still in beta.

"We put the SLA 750 through its paces during testing and achieved the best part quality we have so far seen in the market with considerably improved productivity," Mallock says. "As a result, we purchased additional SLA 750 systems to bring our total to four. We are enjoying the positive impact this is having on our wind tunnel testing, and getting our innovation to the track faster. With the support of 3D Systems’ SLA and SLS solutions, we’re able to produce 25,000 additively manufactured parts each year.” 

3D Systems designed the SLA 750 printer, which includes 3D Sprint, 3D Systems’ all-in-one software to prepare, optimize, and print 3D CAD data. 3D Sprint delivers tools needed to go from design to quality, true-to-CAD printed parts.

3D Systems co-developed Accura Composite PIV in conjunction with BWT Alpine F1 Team. Parts produced using this material take less time to prepare—from CAD to wind tunnel—and deliver more accurate, high-resolution data. When used as part of a complete 3D Systems additive manufacturing solution—comprising Accura Composite PIV, the SLA 750, 3D Sprint and advanced application services—BWT Alpine F1 Team has been able to maximize its wind tunnel investment and improve its understanding of the airflow over the car.

“As a company, 3D Systems has long prided itself on building solutions centered on addressing our customers’ application challenges,” says John Murray, VP, global ISG segment & business development, 3D Systems. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see how our latest innovation in SLA technology is combined with a material we co-developed with BWT Alpine F1 Team to accelerate design iteration and innovation for wind tunnel testing.”

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.