Racecar Modification using Additive
To the average automobile customer many factors come into play when considering a vehicle. Safety, reliability, style, and efficiency are all key concerns when considering what car to purchase to the average consumer. Many different models and makers cater to each customer’s needs with the models they produce. A young family may value space and safety, some may value durability and suspension for offroading purposes, others may need a pickup truck with a large carrying capacity. However, there always remains one subset of customer who values one thing over all, the aspect that has led to the most innovation in the automotive field and which is also one of the most important in the world of 3D printing, speed. Racecar Modification using Additive
In the past Agile Manufacturing has worked with engineers who need to quickly, accurately, and effectively produce components for vehicles on land, sea, air, and even outer space. We are immensely proud of our ability to work with those who are taking our transportation and work vehicles into the future. However, we always love working with the consumer of these vehicles who requires reverse engineering of an already established system. For those in the automotive world who value speed, having a car in need of parts is the most reliable way to slow things down. So when a customer approached us in need of a solution to producing replacement parts for their Dodge Challenger models, we were happy to take the challenge.
The part required was an air filter adapter which adapted a filter in a cold air box to the air duct of the twin screw super charger. This project provided several unique challenges. First of all the complex system involved required high levels of accuracy in production. Since this was going to be placed in a high-performance engine, strength, durability, and resistance to the environment would also be determining factors for the build. We began by scanning the original adaptor using our 3D scanning services which allowed the part to be reverse engineered and a 3D model produced. Further reverse engineering was required as we made changes to the model to allow the design to print perfectly in our process and material. We then proceeded to print the parts in a process and material which could clear all the hurdles for this part, which was our Markforged printers printing in Onyx, a strong and durable fiberglass reinforced nylon material.
With the success of this project we are able to witness the complete benefit cycle that 3D printing provides to the problem solving consumer. A problem in their vehicle is recognized, the problem part is scanned and reverse engineered by our team at Agile, an appropriate 3D printing process and material is identified by our team using years of industry experience, and finally the part is produced and the customer receives a solution to their problem that is accurate, effective, and most importantly for this customer, fast.
