Case Study: Spire Motorsports achieves faster, on-demand production of durable, race-ready parts with MakerBot METHOD X

Nascar Cup Series Team Spire Motorsports Punches Above Weight With the Help of a Small Fleet of Makerbot Method X 3d Printers

Spire Motorsports, a NASCAR Cup Series team that burst onto the scene in 2018, faced the ongoing challenge of rapidly replacing and iterating race-critical parts across a grueling 36-race season without the delays and fit issues of outsourced machining. To meet tight turnaround, weight and heat-resistance requirements for on-car and garage components, Spire turned to MakerBot and a small fleet of MakerBot METHOD X 3D printers (plus MakerBot CloudPrint for remote monitoring).

Using three METHOD X machines and a mix of ABS, PLA and Nylon Carbon Fiber, MakerBot enabled Spire to print ECU spacers, shifter knobs, cooling ducts, CO2 filter housings and other complex parts on demand—eliminating outsourcing, cutting lead times, reducing material waste versus machining, and achieving tolerances down to a thousandth of an inch. The MakerBot solution saved shop time, produced lighter, heat-resistant components for the #7 and #77 cars throughout the season, and improved reliability and fitment across race weekends.

Spire Motorsports

Ryan Kelly

Engineer