Stratasys Named NASCAR's Official 3D Printing Partner

Stratasys Ltd. has announced an expanded long-term technical partnership with NASCAR, making Stratasys the official 3D printing partner of NASCAR. NASCAR will now exclusively use Stratasys 3D printing technology for the design and production of parts and tools across NASCAR, replacing previous technologies used alongside Stratasys solutions, according to Stratasys.

The official partnership secures Stratasys' role as a technology provider for NASCAR, with a new 3D printing lab set to open at the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, NC. The facility features multiple Stratasys technologies, including F370, 450mc, F900 (FDM printers) and a NEO800 (SL printer) to support research and development, parts production, and tooling for NASCAR’s three national series. 

“Partnering with Stratasys allows NASCAR to push the boundaries of performance and accuracy like never before,” says John Probst, executive vice president, Chief Racing Development Officer at NASCAR. “Their 3D printing technology empowers us to quickly iterate and optimize components, ensuring that our staff have the best possible machines to stay ahead in this high-stakes environment.”

As part of the expanded partnership, Stratasys will increase the existing FDM (fused deposition modeling) capabilities within the NASCAR R&D center, allowing for larger-scale part production. In addition to FDM technology, NASCAR will now integrate Stratasys NEO stereolithography (SL). These technologies will support various applications, from aerodynamic testing, prototyping and production parts with high-precision tooling.

Engineers at NASCAR worked with Stratasys on solutions for NASCAR Cup Series cars, with every vehicle on the track currently using 3D printed parts. For example, working with Stratasys Direct Manufacturing for on-demand production parts using the H350 SAF printer with plant-based Nylon11 material to produce a cold air inlet vent at the top center of the windshield to force air into the car to cool the driver. FDM printers used in the NASCAR R&D Center using ULTEM 9085 black material to produce a NACA duct located on the lower engine panel, to vent hot air out from the engine bay.

“Our partnership with NASCAR allows Stratasys to showcase the unique advantages of 3D printing in motorsports,” says Rich Garrity, chief business unit officer at Stratasys. “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.”

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