Stratasys, Toyota to produce 3D printed parts

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The single-make GR Cup is saving on 31 separate parts for its 31 bespoke models in the amateur scene.

Stratasys, a leader in 3D printed material with contracts in the automotive and aerospace industries, has partnered with Toyota to bring their technological prowess to the inaugural season of the GR Cup — an effort that began at the Sonoma Raceway. The Cup is Toyota's first single-make series in its 75-year history in racing.

The single-make GR Cup is saving on 31 separate parts for its 31 bespoke models in the amateur scene that's designed to help Toyota further break into the racing ecosystem. The company will be producing a 3D printed hood vent, engine inlet airduct, rear wing mounts, the center console cover and the door handle bezel, as well as other end-use parts for Toyota Racing Development (TRD) as part of the partnership, Stratasys executives tell SBJ during a tour of the Stratasys Direct Manufacturing facility in Belton, Texas.

At Circuit of the Americas, Toyota Racing Development executive engineering director Nelson Cosgrove tells SBJ that the company is committed to the GR Cup for ten years, a substantial time and financial investment in the world of racing. The seven-track series (two races at each track) just wrapped its second event in Austin, after beginning their campaign at the Sonoma Raceway in California. Next up is the Virginia International Raceway in Alton, VA from June 16-18. The GR Cup boasts Mobil 1, Continental, Crescent Tools, Yahoo!, and JBL among others as partners. "Our dream was to have 20 [cars] in the field [for the first circuit], and so far in our races, Sonoma and [Austin], we’ve had 31," Cosgrove says.

3D printing has grown even more cost- and energy-efficient with Stratasys’ Selective Absorption Fusion (SAF) technology with the H350 3D printer. SAF is used to make the parts for the Toyota machines and has been very quickly adopted by NASCAR — who partnered with Stratasys in 2022.

The circuit utilizes Toyota's first production racing car, and the GR Cup Toyota's first big foray into amateur racing. With all of the vehicles based out of the GR86 model, Toyota sets up kiosks with replacement parts for sale in case of need — deepening the case for the cost-efficiency of Stratasys's 3D printed parts. All drivers are required to furnish replacement parts for their own cars, and since all cars are the same, Toyota can centralize affordable replacement parts in one place. At the SDM facility in Belton, everything from windshield air ducts to drill guides is produced for multiple automotive partners.

The Belmont Stakes may not run, public funding for the proposed A's stadium in Vegas is still waiting to be voted on and it's MLB Playball Weekend.

SBJ I Factor presented by Allied Sports features an interview with Danita Johnson, president of business operations for D.C. United and a member of Sports Business Journal's Forty Under 40 class of 2023. Johnson talks with SBJ's Abe Madkour about learning how to sell and to not fear change, becoming an effective manager, the importance of empathy as a leadership trait, and what to look for when evaluating job candidates. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine's awards, such as Forty Under 40, Game Changers and others.

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