In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics, we shared a few use cases where Additive Manufacturing (AM) has played a pivotal role. Some include the 3D printed Scalmalloy Bolide F HR bikes for Team Italy and the 3D printed skatepark built by Saint-Gobain. The more we dig in, the more we find other noteworthy use cases where AM has been critical.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Torch
French designer Mathieu Lehanneur designed the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch to express a message of equality in mind. The torch was 3D printed using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) by material producer ArcelorMittal. The latter recently debuted on the AM market as a steel powder supplier. We assume that the torch was produced using a steel powder.
3D printed soccer balls
PolyJet 3D Printing of the Paris 2024 soccer balls is rendered using a 3D model replicating the ball’s design and texture. This high-resolution texture complemented the digital simulations and physical prints during the game.
Enhancing bike performance with metal AM
Global engineering company Renishaw has a proven track record of providing the British Cycling team with AM expertise. As a reminder, British Cycling, the national governing body for cycling in Great Britain provides riders of all backgrounds and abilities with opportunities to hone their skills and meet their potential in diverse disciplines covering BMX, mountain bike, road, and track cycling.
To assist Team GB for the 2024 Olympic Games, the team at Renishaw enhanced their bike performance in speed, balance, and aerodynamics.
Ben Collins, Lead Additive Manufacturing Applications Engineer at Renishaw, added: “After determining that the British Cycling team could not produce core crank and seat posts components in carbon fiber within the shorter time frame required, we began creating some additively manufactured prototypes in plastic. Additive Manufacturing enabled us to create complex geometries that removed unnecessary weight while delivering the strength required for the athletes to reach racing speed. To develop a more aerodynamic seat post, engineers designed more free-form geometries to hollow out the part as much as possible, something that would not be achievable using traditional methods.”
No wonder that the GB team scored 11 medals in cycling.
The Paris 2024 Olympic medals
The medals of the Paris 2024 Olympics are created using Selective Laser Melting (SLM), using iron from the Eiffel Tower to fuse French heritage with Olympic glory. Their design has intricate hexagons with 4K PBR textures.
3D printed wheelchair racing gloves
3D printing service corporation CRP USA has collaborated with 8-time Paralympic Gold Medallist Tatyana McFadden to build 3D printed wheelchair racing gloves via the Selective Laser Sintering process & its Windform XT 2.0 composite material.
In these use cases, the rubber added to the 3D printed gloves is a standard off-the-shelf item. The CRP USA team trims it to size and bonds it to the gloves with structural adhesive.
CRP USA has hollowed the parts & added an internal structuring to reduce the glove weight while maintaining strength, agility, and enhancing durability. Windform XT 2.0 ensured the 3D printed gloves could withstand the constant, high-friction environment of wheelchair racing without deterioration.
Once completed, the 3D printed wheelchair racing gloves in Windform XT 2.0 underwent testing for weight and durability, and the results were excellent, CRP USA explains.
CRP USA and Tatyana will continue their collaboration to enhance the 3D printed wheelchair racing gloves, focusing on improving grip and comfort, especially when competing in the rain. This ongoing partnership ensures that Tatyana always has access to the latest advancements in Additive Manufacturing technology, allowing her to maintain her competitive edge.
The Olympic mascot
The Olympic mascot was Phryge – A playful character that resonated with the French culture and spirit of the Games. The 3D printed mascot could be customized per customer requirements to carry home a memento of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
AM can create unique tools for players in several areas. Custom-made shoes, safety gear, and even prostheses—all fit individual players’ specific moves and needs. These use cases brought to the fore the scale and complexity that AM can offer.
Author: Nagarjun M
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