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

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)

Image: Team Penske

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)

Image: Team Penske

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)

Image: Team Penske

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)

Image: Team Penske

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)

Image: Team Penske

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)

Image: Team Penske

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)

Image: Team Penske

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)

Image: Team Penske

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)

Image: Team Penske

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)

Image: Team Penske

Installation

Here, Team Penske production manager Matt Gimbel talks through an installation plan for a 3D-printed rearview mirror housing.

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

Image: Team Penske

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)

Image: Team Penske

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)

Image: Team Penske

The Penske legacy

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

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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)

Image: Team Penske