Stratasys Becomes NASCAR’s Official 3D Printing Partner!

Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ: SSYS) has solidified its role as NASCAR’s official 3D printing partner, announcing an expanded long-term technical collaboration. This agreement positions Stratasys as the exclusive provider of 3D printing technology for NASCAR’s parts and tooling production, replacing previous technologies alongside Stratasys solutions.

The new partnership includes the establishment of a cutting-edge 3D printing lab at the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, North Carolina. The lab will be equipped with various Stratasys 3D printing technologies, including F370, 450mc, F900 FDM printers, and the NEO800 SL printer. These technologies will support NASCAR’s design, research, and development, as well as parts production and tooling for NASCAR’s three national racing series. This collaboration will enhance NASCAR’s ability to accelerate design cycles and produce on-demand custom components, keeping their performance and safety at the forefront of the motorsports industry.

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

As part of the agreement, Stratasys will expand its existing FDM capabilities at the NASCAR R&D Center, enabling larger-scale part production. NASCAR will also integrate Stratasys’ NEO stereolithography (SL) technology, which will be used for a range of applications such as aerodynamic testing, prototyping, and high-precision tooling, further enhancing the flexibility of NASCAR’s manufacturing processes.

The collaboration has already yielded success, with NASCAR engineers working alongside Stratasys to incorporate 3D printed components into the NASCAR Cup Series cars. For instance, parts produced with Stratasys’ H350 SAF printer, using plant-based Nylon11 material, are used in vital components like the cold air inlet vent, improving airflow to cool the driver. Additionally, FDM printers have been used to create a NACA duct on the engine panel, improving heat dissipation from the engine bay.

Rich Garrity, Chief Business Unit Officer at Stratasys, noted, “Our partnership with NASCAR allows us to showcase the unique advantages of 3D printing in motorsports. 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.”

This collaboration not only boosts NASCAR’s engineering capabilities but also drives innovation in additive manufacturing, which could have a broad impact on the automotive industry, particularly in commercial vehicle production.