Alfa Romeo Racing (Sauber) has signed a partnership with AM Solutions, a brand of the Rösler Group. As part of the agreement to bolster the team’s post-processing of additive manufactured parts, it will acquire three of AM Solutions’ S1 systems for post-processing of AM parts. This, the team hopes, will help it increase the efficiency of its AM operations.
With a growing focus on cost control in Formula 1, teams are looking for greater efficiency at every stage of the engineering process, with AM being no exception. Frédéric Vasseur, team principal at Alfa Romeo Racing, noted, “Additive manufacturing is playing an ever-increasing role in Formula 1 and every new iteration of our race cars features more 3D printed parts – in addition to those used in other operations of the company, from the wind tunnel models to experimental parts. The innovations brought by AM Solutions help us create parts quickly, more efficiently and with less waste, meaning we gain on time and money, two resources available in very finite amounts in our sport, while at the same time improving the sustainability of our operations. It’s all part of the marginal gains we make across every aspect of our operations as we move toward the front of the grid.”
To this end, the S1 system, which undertakes automatic de-powdering and cleaning of small to midsize-volume 3D printed parts, offers numerous beneficial technical features, such as a new basket design for optimal distribution and circulation of the parts, a specially developed wear protection lining made of non-staining anti-static polyurethane, ATEX conformity, and safe and ergonomic machine handling.
Stephan Rösler, president and CEO of Rösler Oberflächentechnik, concluded, “We are delighted to partner with Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN in the field of post-processing of additive manufactured parts. As an early adopter of 3D printing, Sauber has recognized the importance of post-processing in terms of automation, cost-effectiveness and repeatability in the AM production chain. Their deep knowledge and experience will help us to further improve our solutions and to increase the awareness of our still young AM Solutions brand.”
