3D Systems and Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) — a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation — have entered a partnership.

TMG (www.toyota-motorsport.com) is a leading motor-sport company with a high-performance testing and development facility in Cologne; 3D Systems is a manufacturer and developer of additive manufacturing solutions “designed to accelerate manufacturers’ production work-flows”.

Through this partnership, the companies intend to develop ‘first-to-market’ manufacturing solutions — including 3-D printers, materials and software — “that will change automotive design and production”.

Andreas Schambach, project general manager (future production technology) at TMG, said: “In motor-sport, we know that being first is what counts, and we bring this same attitude to our entire business.

"We are at the cutting edge of motor-sport and want to partner with companies that are leading the way, so that Toyota can maintain its advantage.

“TMG has chosen 3D Systems for this partnership because they share our pioneering spirit.

“We see the unparalleled potential of combining 3D Systems’ expertise and know-how with that of TMG to create technologies and define new additive-manufacturing innovations in the automotive industry.

“TMG’s facility will become a showcase for world-class advanced digital manufacturing. Our team of experts will complement that of 3D Systems to develop advanced laser sintering technologies — and a portfolio of materials with improved properties to meet the rigorous demands of motor-sport.

"We intend to use these new technologies to more quickly and efficiently create lightweight high-quality production parts for our motor-sport projects, leading to competitive advantage.”

As part of this partnership, TMG plans to incorporate 3D Systems’ Figure 4 Standalone, ProX 800, sPro 60 and sPro 230 systems — along with Geomagic Design X software — into its manufacturing work-flow.

TMG and 3D Systems (www.3dsystems.com) first appeared together at the FIA World Endurance Championship (30 August to 1 September at Silverstone).

The 3D Systems logo was on the two Toyoto Gazoo Racing cars (No 7 driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López; No 8 driven by Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley).