Case Study: Cal Poly Hyperloop achieves precise, ready-to-install brakes and passes structural tests with Xometry

Cal Poly Hyperloop Team SLOs Down with Xometry Brakes

Cal Poly Hyperloop (the SLOLoop student team at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo) faced the critical challenge of designing a reliable braking system for the SpaceX Hyperloop competition—brakes needed to safely decelerate pods traveling up to 284 mph and required precision CNC parts beyond the team’s on-campus capabilities. They turned to Xometry for CNC-processed aluminum 6061-T6 brake frames and design-for-manufacturability support.

Xometry’s engineers optimized the CAD, then manufactured six brake housings via its Manufacturing Partner Network to tight tolerances and delivered them in two weeks; the parts assembled in minutes and fit the pod with no rework. With Xometry’s components and support, SLOLoop saved machining time, met strict dimensional and strength requirements, and became one of 18 teams to pass the pressurized motors test and one of 11 teams to pass the structural test—validating Xometry’s quality and DFM assistance.

Cal Poly Hyperloop

Bradley Albright

Braking Design Lead