High-Performance 3D Printed Windshield Air Vent and Underside NACA Duct Featured on Every Car
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) plans to produce the first-ever 3D printed production parts that will be embedded into all its NASCAR Next Gen cars.
One of the key components that will be printed is a windshield air cockpit ventilation unit. To do so, the American auto racing sanctioning and operating company collaborates with Stratasys Direct Manufacturing for the production, a Stratasys company that manufactures parts on demand.
This is not the first collaboration of the two companies that have been working together on multiple projects for almost 20 years. Together they have created highly competitive race cars, using 3D printing technology to support tooling, drill guides and now production parts.
In this specific case, the production team at Stratasys facility based in Texas used the SAF™-powered Stratasys H350™ 3D printer and a High Yield PA11 material derived from sustainable castor oil. The parts were cleaned, finished, dyed and shot-blasted using DyeMansion post-processing equipment.
The new 3D printed parts provide NASCAR with enhanced performance, flexibility, cost savings and improved aerodynamics, and are being used by every team that competes in the NASCAR Cup Series. The parts are a culmination of nearly three years of planning, design, and development, as the Next Gen car underwent more than 37,000 miles of testing before its introduction at The Busch Light Clash in February, a press release says.
“The Next Gen car could not have been completed without the collaboration with NASCAR Competition Partners like Stratasys and Stratasys Direct Manufacturing,” said John Probst, Senior Vice President, racing innovation, NASCAR. “During testing, we realized we needed an additive manufacturing solution that could withstand high temperatures and needed the parts delivered quickly. We approached Stratasys Direct, and they delivered not only as a supplier but as a consultant on this project. They provided us with strategic direction on design, materials, and the right additive manufacturing technologies to use to create the highest performance parts for the Next Gen cars.”
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