The last time we saw one of the companies powered by XponentialWorks achieved an automotive application using AM, it was for Arcimoto’ s Fun Utility Vehicle® (FUV®). The challenge is even higher when it comes to Formula One which requires more performance, lightness and robustness, all of them which can be achieved through the use of additive manufacturing but not just any AM technologies.
Today, Williams Racing decides to bet on Nexa3D and its fast polymer 3D printing technology.
Beginning this month, the engineers from the racing team will leverage the manufacturer’s NXE400 ultrafast photoplastic 3D printer for the production of functional wind tunnel parts for aero testing purposes.
Combined with the NexaX software, the 3D printing process requires the use of modern computation architecture to develop light-weighted parts and accelerate the file-to-part process.
Al Peasland, Head of Technical and Innovation Partnerships at Williams Racing said, “We’re extremely excited to announce our partnership with Nexa3D and look forward to enhancing our additive manufacturing capabilities with their innovative high-speed printing technologies. Formula One is a challenging environment, that demands a continuous improvement philosophy in order to remain competitive. Our partnership will enable the team to continue to push boundaries in 3D printing, and present new opportunities for Nexa3D to further advance their revolutionary technology.”
The goal of Williams Racing is to rapidly design and manufacture complex, light weighted parts in minutes, compared to hours with conventional manufacturing, while minimizing material usage and waste. The promise of Nexa3D is to break these hurdles with a 20X productivity through its proprietary Lubricant Sublayer Photo-curing (LSPc) technology and patented structured light matrix capable of reaching top speeds of 1Z centimetre per minute.
“Our partnership with Williams Racing represents the fusion of top-tier engineering and race car performance,” said Avi Reichental co-founder, Chairman and CEO, Nexa3D. “With its ultrafast production cycles, the NXE400 represents the Formula One of additive manufacturing at scale. Few companies appreciate speed like Williams Racing and they represent the perfect partner for our polymer 3D printing technology.”
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