America3D printingMachine original equipment manufacturer 3D Systems has added a composite resin to its material portfolio, specifically designed to solve particle image velocimetry (PIV) applications. According to reports, the new Accura composite PIV was jointly developed with the Alpine F1 team. It can produce a powerful wind tunnel test model, which can be color-optimized for high-resolution aerial data collection. Alpine said, using 3D Systems’ resin and SLA 3D printingTechnology, it has been able to make the most of its wind tunnel investment, better understand the airflow on its cars, and effectively improve its track performance.
“Customer-centric innovation is 3D SystemsThe guiding force of the company, “3D SystemsSaid Kevin Baughey, head of the company’s transportation and racing department. “Working with the Alpine F1 team to develop our latest materials is another example of how we can use our F1 application expertise to develop advanced solutions that will give our customers a competitive advantage. Our experience of the team in the wind tunnel Impressed and looking forward to seeing their success on the track this season.”
The use of new materials from 3D Systems has given Alpine a better understanding of the aerodynamic behavior of its cars.Picture from ALPINE F1 Team
Contribute to Alpine’s fight for F1 supremacy
In Formula One, aerodynamic testing is so important to the level of downforce and speed that the car can achieve, that the team conducts wind tunnel assessments almost around the clock.In the past, the fleet has deployed 3D Systems technology to quickly3D printingModels with innovative designs, such as integrated pressure taps, and laser-based PIV test runs.
However, collecting reliable PIV data is difficult because this laser is often reflected by other background surfaces, reducing the level of image quality that can be achieved. To help customers solve this problem, 3D Systems cooperated with Alpine F1 to develop the Accura composite PIV, which is specifically designed to reduce any laser mirroring. And 3D Systems’ machines,softwareTogether with the service, this material has now enabled the Alpine F1 team to simplify the lengthy pre-printing process, gain a deeper understanding of the aerodynamic behavior of its car, and finally increase its speed on the track. At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso finished sixth and achieved the team’s best result of the season.
Use 3D Systems’ new Accura Composite PIV material3D printingPrototype. Picture from 3D Systems
3D SystemsThe company’s robust test materials
Described by Alpine F1 as having “unique optical properties”, Accura composite PIV has a unique purple color, designed to make it easier for people to draw conclusions from PIV test data. In addition to its vibrant appearance, this new material also has a high tensile and flexural modulus, and a heat distortion temperature of 100°C, ensuring it has enough durability to pass extensive tests. Accura Composite PIV is optimized when used with 3D Systems’ SLA and 3D Sprint software technology to produce large-size and high-resolution parts up to 1500 mm in length. In cooperation with the company’s application innovation team, Alpine F1 now produces nearly 500 such wind tunnel test components.
“We have been proud to work with 3D Systems for many years,” concludes Pat Warner, the advanced digital manufacturing manager of the Alpine F1 team. “The deep expertise of their application engineers and their industry-leading solutions have always been a valuable part of our innovation team. It is exciting to jointly develop the accura composite pivot and see the benefits it brings to our process. ….. We are now collecting more reliable data from the pivot system in the wind tunnel.”
3D printingIn the F1 raceapplication
In each F1 season, each team effectively competes against each other in the battle to develop performance upgrades for their cars.As a result, many builders are turning to3D printing, The purpose is to gain R&D advantages through the rapid prototyping capabilities of this technology.
Similar to Alpine, the Williams team announced that it will cooperate with Nexa3D before the 2021 season to additively manufacture functional wind tunnel components. High-speed NXE400 using Nexa3D 3D printingThe Williams team is now able to produce structurally optimized lightweight components that illustrate the aerodynamic characteristics of its cars.
On the other hand, the McLaren team has been using additive manufacturing on the side of the track since 2017.Since and3D printingAfter the machine manufacturer Stratasys signed a four-year agreement, McLaren has successfully manufactured a number of different prototypes and on-demand spare parts, including brake cooling ducts and tail baffles.
Earlier this year, the Alfa Romeo Oren team also announced that it had3D printingThe number of parts has doubled. By adopting additive manufacturing, the team is estimated to be able to reduce its related costs by 90% and help it comply with F1’s newly launched cost ceiling of US$145 million.
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