Case Study: University of Tsukuba achieves Olympic-ready custom fencing hilts with Stratasys 3D printing

Iterative Design Contributes to Success at the London Games

The University of Tsukuba, a leader in sports science and Olympic education, needed custom fencing foil hilts for Japan’s 2012 Olympic team but faced tight timelines and no fast production route. Traditional molded or machined prototypes were too slow, so the university used Stratasys technology — specifically the Objet350 Connex 3D Printer (PolyJet) installed in its Sport Performance and Clinic Laboratory — to enable rapid, high‑resolution prototyping.

Using the Stratasys Objet350 Connex, researcher Osamu Takeda produced nearly 70 prototypes over six months, often delivering 5–7 new iterations in a day and printing parts in hours with 16‑micron layer resolution to reproduce fine non‑slip textures. The project delivered five final replacement hilts per athlete, gave competitors greater confidence and customization, and contributed to the team’s silver medal performance at the London Games, demonstrating clear, measurable impact from Stratasys‑enabled rapid prototyping.

University of Tsukuba

Osamu Takeda

Researcher in Sports Biomechanics