Cadillac F1 team adopts 3D Systems SLA printers for racing parts production

Cadillac Formula 1, the General Motors-owned constructor entering F1 in 2026, has adopted 3D Systems SLA (stereolithography) printers for manufacturing race car components, according to a Stratasys press release. The team, which operates facilities in Indiana, North Carolina, and Michigan, is using the American printer maker's vat photopolymerization systems to produce parts for its 2026 challenger and future power unit development. Elvis Perez, Senior Vice President at 3D Systems, stated that the company's technology was selected for its high precision and repeatable production at scale, helping the team achieve a strong start despite its compressed development timeline.

This adoption places Cadillac F1 within a growing trend of motorsport teams leveraging AM for low-volume, high-complexity parts where speed-to-track and design iteration matter more than per-unit cost. The partnership is a significant reference win for 3D Systems, which has been working to re-establish its industrial credibility after years of restructuring and portfolio narrowing. For the polymer AM segment, it reinforces the value of SLA in applications requiring fine feature resolution and surface finish — attributes that remain difficult for powder bed fusion or material extrusion to match in tooling and wind-tunnel components. The deal also underscores how F1's regulatory stability and performance-driven culture create a natural sandbox for AM adoption, distinct from the slower aerospace qualification grind or the cost-sensitive automotive production floor.

For 3D Systems, this is a concrete, named-customer deployment that moves beyond generic marketing claims. The company must now deliver consistent part quality under F1's punishing schedule to convert this into a durable reference account. For the broader AM industry, Cadillac F1's choice signals that vat photopolymerization retains a clear role in high-end motorsport production, even as metal AM dominates headlines in racing.