THE IMPACT OF 3D SCANNERS ON NASCAR STOCK CAR RACING
Written by Creaform
Reaume Brothers Racing is an American professional stock car racing team that competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Owned by Josh Reaume, the team fields the No. 22 Ford F-150 full-time for multiple drivers, the No. 27 part-time for Keith McGee, and the No. 33 full-time for Lawless Alan.
As an engineering-driven team, experts constantly looks innovative solutions to maintain competitive in a sport with stringent regulations and limited testing opportunities.
In addition, they need to ensure that the team’s regularly modified vehicles comply with NASCAR’s regulations for each race.
The Challenge: Conventional 3D Measurements Hamper Competitive Innovations
Reaume Brothers Racing faced several challenges in generating accurate 3D measurement data to assess the team’s race vehicle bodies. Initially, the group relied on low-precision measuring systems, such as tape measures, resulting in inaccuracies and inconsistencies that could compromise compliance with the race series rules.
This lack of accuracy posed a risk of human error and limited the engineers’ ability to definitively monitor and assess the condition of their trucks both pre- and post-race.
Previously, Reaume Brothers Racing also relied on a competitor’s services to obtain 3D measurements, which was far from ideal in such a high stakes sector.
The critical need to ensure that their vehicles conformed to NASCAR regulations while optimizing performance in house was the turning point that prompted the team to find a more reliable solution.
The Solution: Creaform’s MetraSCAN 3D Eliminates Accuracy Issues
Reaume Brothers Racing opted for Creaform’s 3D MetraSCAN 3D due to its speed, user-friendliness, accuracy, and repeatability as well as VXinspect dimensional inspection software to support their quality control workflows.
The implementation process was streamlined in just a few days of training. In fact, team members quickly adapted to the new technology, with users becoming comfortable after just a few scans.
Reaume Brothers Racing initially began using Creaform’s MetraSCAN 3D optical and portable CMM for establishing setup protocols for their vehicles, which allowed the team to quickly generate 3D measurements with accurate printouts for crew chiefs. They were able to more quickly decide what changes they wanted made, resulting in less time spent setting up vehicles for each race.
Another major project involved using the 3D scanner to scan and replicate headrest mounts for their carbon fiber seats. This process involved scanning each part twice, merging the scans to eliminate any missing areas, and creating precise part drawings. The result was a seamless production of an additional set of mounts, ensuring the seats were race-ready.
The Results: Better Quality Control and Performance
The adoption of Creaform’s 3D measurement technology has transformed Reaume Brothers Racing’s approach to vehicle quality control.
The exceptionally accurate, high-resolution scans provided by MetraSCAN 3D have enabled the team to monitor and maintain the steel-fabricated bodies of their race vehicles to the maximum tolerances NASCAR allows. This technological advancement has not only reduced the likelihood of 3D measurement mistakes but also enhanced their capability to conduct detailed assessments of their vehicles throughout race weekends.
Amir Alexander, Team Manager at Reaume Brothers Racing, noted, “MetraSCAN 3D has significantly improved our ability to maintain and optimize our race vehicles. The precision and ease of use have been race-changers for us.”
Amir continued: “Prior to getting our Creaform 3Dscanner, we would have to transport a vehicle from our shop to our third-party provider, which was a $2,000 financial investment and a day-long process from prepping the truck for transport to unloading the truck upon return. It also gave our competitors critical information about each of our trucks. Now, one employee can do a scan in the time it would take to prep and load a truck.”
Since receiving the scanner, Reaume Brother’s Racing has completed 17 truck scans, as well as 8 part scans, giving the team the valuable information required to outclass other race teams.
Conclusion: Gaining an Upper Hand in Racing with Metrology
Creaform’s MetraSCAN 3D has proven to be an invaluable asset for Reaume Brothers Racing.
By providing accurate, repeatable measurements, the technology has helped the team to mitigate risks associated with human error and low-precision tools, ensuring their vehicles consistently meet regulatory standards and perform at their best.
The success of the headrest mount project clearly demonstrated how the MetraSCAN 3D can facilitate rapid, reliable part replication, boosting the team’s overall efficiency and competitiveness.
“Implementing Creaform’s technology has given us the confidence needed to push our engineering capabilities further, maintaining our edge in a highly competitive sport,” Amir explained.
