Toyota Motorsport Partners with 3D Systems

3D Systems, Inc. (Rock Hill, SC ) and Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG; Cologne, Germany), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, have entered a partnership to change automotive engineering. Through this partnership, they intend to develop first-to-market manufacturing solutions – including 3D printers, materials and software – to change automotive design and production.

“In motorsports, we know that being first is what counts and we bring this same attitude to our entire business,” said Andreas Schambach, the project general manager for future production technology at TMG. “We are on the cutting-edge and want to partner with companies that are leading the way, so Toyota can maintain their advantage. We have chosen 3D Systems for this partnership because they share our pioneering spirit – exhibited by the fact that they introduced the world to 3D printing. We see the unparalleled potential of combining their expertise and know-how with ours to create technologies and define new additive manufacturing innovations in the automotive industry.” This collaboration will demonstrate how first-to-market additive manufacturing solutions drive success in motorsports, which is recognized as one of the most demanding and competitive industries in the world.

“Our facility will become a showcase for world-class advanced digital manufacturing,” continued Schambach. “Our team of experts will complement that theirs to develop advanced laser sintering technologies and a portfolio of materials with improved properties to meet the rigorous demands of motorsports. We intend to use these new technologies to more quickly and efficiently create lightweight, high-quality production parts for our projects, leading to competitive advantage.”

As part of this partnership, TMG named 3D Systems “Additive Manufacturing Machine Provider of Choice” as the only company in the industry to provide complete solutions that include 3D printers, materials, and software. They has also demonstrated their experience and expertise in the automotive industry, where their systems are deployed globally for track cars and road cars. TMG plans to incorporate their Figure 4® Standalone, ProX® 800, sPro® 60, sPro 230, and Geomagic® Design X software into their manufacturing workflow.

“I’m inspired by the potential of our collaboration with TMG,” said Herbert Koeck, the executive vice president, global go to market, 3D Systems. “They are a known leader in their industry. Bringing together our collective expertise, curiosity and desire to bring solutions to new applications challenges will yield first-to-market technologies that have the power to redefine an industry. I look forward to the innovation we’ll bring to fruition over the course of this partnership.”

www.3DSystems.com