Mar. 10, 2015 | By Alec
I won't have to remind Formula One fans that the racing calendar is looking great in the coming weeks. But did you know that 3D printing technology is also increasingly present on the race tracks? The Cardiff-based company Minerva Hearing revealed today that they are using 3D printing to produce customized earplugs for a number of Formula One pit crews and engineers.
As you might know, things can get a bit loud and hectic in the pit during a Formula One race. As Audiometrist and operations director of Minerva Hearing Kevin Davies explained, proper production is absolutely necessary for anyone in those situations. 'With Formula cars producing volumes over 100dB under race conditions, multiplied many times over in a busy Grand Prix pit lane, the need for hearing protection as well as safe communication are paramount,' he explains.
Over the past few years, a large number of Formula One teams have therefore begun working with Minerva Hearing to produce high-quality earplugs. Minerva Hearing, for those of you who've never heard of them, are specialists in producing noise cancelling earpieces for various sports, heavy industries and even for musicians and entertainers. "We have been working with the majority of Formula 1 teams over the past three years, and we are really proud to be part of a world that demands the highest standards of engineering technology," Davies reveals. The company estimates that they have produced more than eight million custom earpieces already.
As they reveal on their website, Minerva Hearing relies on a combination of 3D scanning and 3D printing to customize each product for every ear. "We are aware of the needs of each individual case and the diff rent service requirements they have. We specialise in producing the highest quality ear moulds and offering the greatest levels of service and customised," they write. "Our range of hearing protection products are tailored to specific applications so you can hear exactly what you need to and block out what you don't."
To produce these, Minerva hearing scans each and every ear either at one of their many clinics throughout the UK, by scanning impressions you make of your own ears, or even based on scans you make at home. The generated 3D files – which include acoustic filters that enable regular conversations – are subsequently 3D printed in medical grade hard acrylic resin. Every week, Minerva approximately 3D prints 4,000 ear pieces.
Of course, if it's good enough for Formula One crews, it's good enough for us regular people in the real world. If you're interested in getting some custom-made 3D printed earplugs yourself, go here for more information.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
Maybe you also like:
- ExOne announces its largest 3D printing system Exerial for industrial series production
- In-Q-Tel, CIA's venture-capital arm, invests in 3D electronics printing platform Voxel8
- 3D print an entire PCB test version to ensure it always fits
- Voovo launches budget 3D printing service platform where you can auction off print jobs
- NanoSteel expands material portfolio for metal 3D printing
- MIT project introduces modular machines for the rapid prototyping of rapid prototyping machines
- Ford uses 3D printing to help develop revolutionary new smart bikes
- Razer announces OSVR Hacker Dev Kit with 3D printable virtual reality headset
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
