Case Study: Prodrive achieves faster, on-demand race part production with UltiMaker METHOD X 3D printers

Prodrive - Customer Case Study

Prodrive, a motorsport company with a winning pedigree, faced immense time pressure when developing its new Hunter T1 rally car for the 2021 Dakar Rally. The COVID-19 lockdown compressed their development schedule into just nine months, forcing the team to find ways to prototype and manufacture parts faster and more efficiently without sacrificing performance. To meet this challenge, Prodrive incorporated the UltiMaker METHOD X 3D printer into its development and race operations.

The UltiMaker solution enabled the team to rapidly prototype and produce over 30 critical end-use parts, such as a suspension sensor mount and a fire suppression nozzle, often using strong, heat-resistant nylon carbon fiber. This allowed for immediate on-site part iteration and fabrication in the desert, saving significant time and cost compared to traditional metal fabrication. The result was a successful rally debut, with the team achieving a record 5th place finish for a newcomer, while also benefiting from lighter, higher-performance parts.

Prodrive

Paul Doe

Chief Engineer