50949_WKBW_7_Problem_Solvers_658x90.png

Actions

Formula 1 team prints 3D race car parts

Posted

High performance race cars constantly need specialized parts to help them win races, but it can take weeks to get them.

So, McLaren Racing slashed that wait time by making its own parts.

The company used a dozen 3D printers to quickly produce new parts that its team designs. That gives them an edge in bringing improvements to their cars faster.

It still takes a few days to reinforce the plastic 3D printed parts before they can be used in cars, but the company hopes the it will some day be able to print parts out of carbon fiber. Then, engineers could create new parts on demand while races were taking place.