Computer numerical control (CNC) machining and motorsport have two things in common: speed and performance.
Every second counts.
Once that light turns green, it’s a race to the podium. But the competition starts long before the track. It goes all the way back to the machine shops, where months of planning and design take place to create the best racing vehicles in the world. CNC machines play a pivotal role in this high-stakes game.
Manufacturing has to be as quick as the car, with a high turnover of plans and prototypes, so teams need a reliable process for building car parts. And in this demanding environment, it’s no surprise that CNC machining feels right at home.
Precision CNC machining services have become a fundamental starting point on the way to the finish line in motorsport across the UK, Europe and other continents. Racing vehicles are varied and unique. Components from Formula One to Drag Racing are carefully designed for specific applications. With its high precision, quality materials and opportunity for customisation, it makes sense that CNC machining is an optimal choice.
Discover the importance of the CNC machining process in performance motorsport with our in-depth exploration of the cutting-edge technology that powers action on and off the track.
The history of CNC machining and motorsport
CNC machining has undoubtedly made a name for itself in the automotive industry. Since its introduction in the 1960s, its speed, accuracy, and consistency have become pivotal to producing automotive parts. It was only a matter of time before the motorsports sector welcomed it, too.
While it’s hard to pinpoint when exactly these two industries combined forces (not every power team can be as well documented as the Avengers), it’s clear that CNC machining and motorsports share a rich history. CNC machining services have become increasingly popular in NASCAR, Formula One (F1), Rally Racing and similar sports, with many CNC machining companies specifically dedicated to the motorsports sector. This popularity can be linked to the development of Haas Automation’s first CNC Machining Centre in 1987 — with Haas later creating the Stewart-Haas Racing NASCAR team in 2002. Since then, Haas has become a leading supplier of CNC machines, distributing products to the likes of Scuderia Ferrari, Ginetta Cars, and high-level motorsport teams. Haas even sped into the F1 world, introducing the HAAS F1 team in 2016.
But Haas isn’t the only well-versed CNC manufacturer with a history in motorsports. DMG Mori, a well-known CNC machining manufacturer, has had partnerships and sponsorships with several motorsport teams over the years, including Porsche Motorsport, Red Bull Racing and Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team. With ties to Red Bull Racing that go back as far as 2004, DGM Mori is a long-time supplier of cutting-edge CNC technology for producing racing components.
So, why has the CNC machining process become such a prevalent part of performance motorsport?
Advantages of CNC machining in motorsport
Well, it’s no secret that the CNC machining process offers a range of advantages. With unmatched accuracy, materials and versatility, it’s already proven successful in the wider automotive industry in creating a range of motors, engines and exhaust parts. Considering that components for motorsports can be incredibly complex and heavily scrutinised, not to mention that they are required quickly and constantly, custom CNC machining takes pole position here.
Not only do CNC machines reduce time and costs when producing test pieces and prototypes (which undergo rigorous testing before being used), but they also offer a flexible means of customising components. These racing components are often manufactured from high-strength alloys and lightweight composites to optimise speed and safety, especially when it comes to cornering. Since CNC machines are compatible with a high number of materials, from carbon fibre to titanium, unique pieces can be crafted easily. Even when standards and designs change or when materials are otherwise difficult to work with.
When it comes to precision, quality and efficiency, CNC machining is ideal for motorsports parts. Requirements change like night and day. All components must be safe and reliable, and each piece must be bang on the money. Thanks to CNC machining, machinists and engineers can ensure consistent quality to meet the most specific metrics and tolerances. And, with automated CNC machining processes, there is less waste and fewer human error mistakes.
What machines are used in motorsport?
Building a racing vehicle is complicated and time-consuming. An extensive planning stage is required before the car is even built.
For concepting and planning, Computer-Aided Design software (CAD) is a common tool. It allows the creation of 2D and 3D models, which prove incredibly useful when designing racing components. This is often followed by Computational Fluid Dynamics software (CFD), which engineers and analysts use to assess the aerodynamics, and Finite Element Method software (FEM). It helps create a more realistic picture of the mechanical properties and how the chosen materials might react to different kinds of stress.
Various CNC machines are used across different companies and teams when building racing vehicles. CNC lathes, milling machines and turning machines are some of the most common in the motorsport sector. CNC lathes are handy for manufacturing rotationally symmetrical parts, such as wheel hubs, pistons and gearbox shafts, by spinning the chosen material around a central spindle and a fixed cutting tool. 5 axis CNC machining — which consists of a CNC milling machine with a cutting tool that moves in five directions — is also widespread, allowing for a range of parts to be shaped and made, including smooth cylinder head ports.
Examples of CNC machining in motorsport
There are plenty of examples of the CNC machining process in motorsport. A lot of them can be linked to great success.
Several winning NASCAR teams, including the Stewart-Haas team, Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendricks Motorsport, have implemented CNC machining throughout their years of success. Haas has previously expressed that competitor teams have sourced equipment from them, suggesting that CNC machining has an ever-growing presence in NASCAR. And it doesn’t stop there.
In F1, we’ve already discussed Haas’s effect on manufacturing with their assortment of CNC machines — used for their vehicles and competitors — and reigning champion Red Bull’s history with manufacturers like DGM Mori. The McLaren Technology Centre has also recently upgraded its old machines with those of a leading UK CNC machining company, Mills CNC. They say that this has streamlined the manufacturing process of their recent F1 cars, with new additions such as the Puma SMX2100, a mill-turn machine that limits the need to turn and switch between different machines. Similarly, the notorious Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team uses a variety of CNC machines in their own machine shop, making lightweight front axles for F1 cars with their bespoke designs. Additionally, the Alpine F1 Team’s Enstone, Oxfordshire facility was said to invest in multiple Mikron 5 axis machines in 2021.
As for the world of drag racing, Kalitta Motorsports, a team with multiple championships under its belt, has a well-documented history with CNC machining. The Kilatta Motorsports CNC, Chassis, and Fabrication Shop prides itself on self-sufficiency. With a variety of CNC machines at its disposal, the shop has produced a wide range of components over the years. It has worked with Autodesk CAM technology and has strong links to Titans of CNC Machining — a CNC machining service and platform designed to educate and connect global machinists.
Summarising the link
Just as drivers rely on the best engines and aerodynamic designs to make the podium or win the championship, their machinists and engineers depend on reliability and precision — two things that the CNC machining process can make possible.
Their undeniable history and popularity make CNC machining and motorsport synonymous with power and performance. Providing teams with the quality and precision required, CNC machining continues to make a name for itself on and off the track. One thing remains certain: the link between CNC machining and motorsport will continue to drive speed and innovation until the very last chequered flag.
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