McLAREN DEPLOYS STRATASYS ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TO IMPROVE 2017 CAR PERFORMANCE
Formula 1 cars race at very high speeds – up to 227 mph (365 km/h)– utilizing power units that reach a maximum of 15,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). We love McLAREN cars. They are awesome. (please drive safely and not too fast, please don’t text and drive).
McLAREN deploys STRATASYS additive manufacturing to improve 2017 car performance. They 3D-printed a structural bracket to attach the hydraulic line on the MCL32 race car using Stratasys FDM technology, leveraging a Fortus 450mc Production 3D Printer with carbon-fibre-reinforced nylon material (FDM® Nylon 12CF).
“They are consistently modifying and improving our Formula 1 car designs,” said Neil Oatley, Design and Development Director, McLaren Racing. “So the ability to test new designs quickly is critical to making the car lighter and, more importantly, increasing the number of tangible iterations in improved car performance.
“If we can bring new developments to the car one race earlier – going from new idea to new part in only a few days – this will be a key factor in making the MCL32 more competitive. By expanding the use of Stratasys 3D printing in our manufacturing processes, including producing final car components, composite lay-up and sacrificial tools, cutting jigs, and more, we are decreasing our lead times while increasing part complexity.”
“Formula 1 is one of the world’s best proving grounds for our additive manufacturing solutions,” said Andy Middleton, President, Stratasys EMEA. “As the Official Supplier of 3D-Printing Solutions to the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team, we are working closely together to solve their engineering challenges in the workshop, in the wind-tunnel, and on the track. We believe that this, in turn, will enable us to develop new materials and applications that bring new efficiency and capability to McLaren Racing and other automotive designers and manufacturers.”