Stratasys launches Performance Partner Program to fuel AM in high-performance areas
Stratasys has today launched its new Performance Partner Program, which will bring together teams and companies from across auto racing, competitive sailing and next-gen supersonic travel to advance additive manufacturing technologies and applications. The program’s partners include Team Penske, Andretti Autosports, McLaren Autosports, American Magic, Boom Supersonic and more.
Stratasys is marking the launch of its new Performance Partner Program with an event in Speedway, Indiana, which is being attended by representatives from its partner pool. The 3D printing company says the program is one of a kind in that it is forging partnerships with groups that are using AM for extreme environments and demanding applications.
At the event, the first Performance Partner Summit, Stratasys will host a full-day session to explore how each of its partners is utilizing and exploiting AM for specific applications. “The intent it to create a formal environment of collaboration as partners explore advanced approaches to get faster, become more competitive and go farther than ever before,” the company said.
In short, the Performance Partner Program will consist of a “focused, collaborative group” made up of members of such high performance areas as auto racing, competitive sailing and supersonic travel that are dedicated to advancing the use of additive technologies within their spheres.
Each of the participants has or is using Stratasys’ engineering-grade FDM technology to produce conceptual models, functional prototypes durable tools and production parts. As Stratasys points out, the partners in the group have been drawn to specific products, such as FDM ULTEM 9085, which offers superior properties and lowest production variance; Stratasys ST-130 sacrifial tooling filament for the production of hollow composite parts and its FDM Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber and ASA materials for production parts, tooling and prototypes.
So far, the Performance Partner Program roster includes Team Penske, Andretti Autosports, Joe Gibbs Racing, McLaren Autosports, Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, American Magic, Don Schumacher Racing, Boom Supersonic, Jay Leno’s Garage, Kindigit Design and SEMA Garage.
Team Penske, which first partnered with Stratasys in 2017, uses Stratasys’ 3D printing technologies to produce a range of prototypes and parts for both its NASCAR and IndyCar racing platforms. Additive manufacturing has played a critical role in the development of higher performing race car parts. Importantly, 3D printing has also enabled Team Penske to speed up its production and development cycles, putting new cars on the road faster.
American Magic, for its part, adopted Stratasys’ carbon fiber 3D printing earlier this year to aid it in preparation for the upcoming 36th America’s Cup. 3D printed carbon fiber components are allowing the sailing team to make more lightweight and aerodynamic parts.
