OTR3DLab Introduced for Rapid Prototyping of Off-the-Road Tires
Written with artificial intelligence.
OTR Engineered Solutions has launched OTR3DLab, a new service utilizing large-format additive manufacturing to produce full-scale prototypes of off-the-road tires and components. This innovation allows for faster prototype delivery, enabling customers to evaluate designs before committing to production tooling.
Introduction of OTR3DLab
OTR Engineered Solutions (OTR) has unveiled OTR3DLab, a service aimed at revolutionizing the prototyping process for off-the-road tires, wheels, and tracks. By employing large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM), OTR can now deliver full-scale prototypes in weeks, significantly reducing the time traditionally required for prototype development.
Benefits of Rapid Prototyping
The OTR3DLab service addresses the lengthy tooling investment and lead times that have historically characterized the development of off-the-road products. With the new service, customers can evaluate prototypes to assess aspects like fitment, proportions, and design before making substantial investments in production tooling.
The service supports over 1,000 printable materials, including elastomers that mimic the look and feel of actual tires. This flexibility allows for the creation of various components, such as treads and wheels, with the LFAM equipment capable of printing parts up to one cubic meter in size.
Integration with TreadIQ
Printed prototypes can be mounted on standard steel or aluminum wheels, enabling customers to perform comprehensive evaluations, including visual assessments and packaging studies. The OTR3DLab works in conjunction with TreadIQ, an AI-driven tire design platform that assists in generating custom tread concepts based on customer input. Once a design is finalized, OTR3DLab can produce the corresponding physical prototype.
Oscar Torres, OTR’s president and CEO, emphasized that this rapid prototyping capability can significantly benefit customers aiming to launch new products or refresh existing ones in competitive markets. By providing physical prototypes ahead of tooling decisions, OTR3DLab enhances the design validation process and reduces the risks associated with new product development.