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

University of Tsukuba creates 70 3D-printed fencing hilt prototypes in 6 months with Stratasys

The University of Tsukuba, one of Japan's top schools, was tasked with developing custom fencing foil hilts for the 2012 Olympic team. The challenge was to rapidly translate the athletes' non-technical feedback into functional prototypes and produce final, high-quality equipment within a tight deadline. To overcome this, they utilized a Stratasys Objet350 Connex 3D printer and its PolyJet technology.

Stratasys's 3D printing solution enabled researcher Osamu Takeda to quickly produce nearly 70 high-resolution, fine-detail prototypes. This iterative process allowed him to efficiently incorporate athlete feedback, gaining their trust and leading to the final product. The solution provided the team with reliable replacement hilts, giving them peace of mind and contributing to their success in winning a silver medal at the London Games.

University of Tsukuba