Photos: How Team Penske uses 3D printing to build its IndyCar and NASCAR vehicles

An IndyCar built with some 3D-printed parts

Team Penske uses Stratasys FDM and Carbon-Fiber-filled Nylon 12 to make parts for both NASCAR and IndyCar vehicles.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

A technician works on a 3D-printed part

This part was made out of carbon fiber with a 3D-printed lay-up tool.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

A Team Penske member holding a 3D-printed part

Carbon fiber is lightweight and very stiff, making it a good fit for race cars.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

A 3D-printed part

Team Penske prints a variety of parts for its vehicles.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

Part modeling

Parts are digitally rendered with CAD software before being printed.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

Part assembly

Many parts need to be assembled once they are printed.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

Team Penske tune up

Professional racing requires constant maintenance and upkeep for the vehicles involved.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

Another look at Penske's cars

Team Penske operates in a few different race types, including IndyCar.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

Fuel probe handle

Here’s a look at the new fueling probe handle, which was 3D printed.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

The No. 2 Team Penske NASCAR Cup Car

Stratasys technology helps power many of the 3D printing initiatives for Team Penske.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

Custom side view mirrors

Using carbon-fiber-filled Nylon 12, Penske produced custom mirrors for each of its Cup Series drivers.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

Specialized mirror housing

The stiffness of the composite in this mirror housing makes it more resistant to flex from the aerodynamic loads on the track.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

Point of view

A camera is mounted to the driver’s helmet to capture race footage.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals (Tech Pro Research)

The Penske legacy

Using 3D printing from Stratasys, Team Penske has seen many wins in professional stock car, open wheel, and sports car racing

Also see

• The new commute: How driverless cars, hyperloop, and drones will change our travel plans (TechRepublic cover story) | download the PDF version
• HP’s Metal Jet 3D printer may build your next car’s innards (CNET)
• Tesla’s Autopilot: Cheat sheet (TechRepublic)
• Here’s how 3D printing makes the robots that make everything else (ZDNet)
• Watch the Roborace self-driving race car tackle the Goodwood hill climb (CNET)