Tilke GmbH (Customer Story)

Tilke GmbHGerman Architecture Firm Saves Time and Money,Expands Business With Multicolour 3D Printingn Tilke GmbH – Leading designer ofFormula 1 circuits and on-site facilities.n Challenge – Time and cost to buildaccurate models and faithfulrepresentations of motor racing circuits.n Solution – 3D printing with theSpectrum Z 510 colour 3D printer.n Results –• Architects can present clients with anentire model of a proposed F1 complex.• Designers output 3D models in hours,not days for a lot less money.• Ability to print large models, buildmultiple models simultaneously andincorporate colour details, enables Tilketo pitch projects in new areas.• Architects and clients can betterevaluate the look, feel, and style ofdesigns.• Spectrum Z510 transformed the wayTilke explores ideas and presents toclients.“As well as improving ourmodel making process, theSpectrum Z510 has allowedus to pitch for projects in newareas. We can also produceconcepts much more quicklyand to a higher standardof finish. The machine haschanged the way we exploreideas and how we present toclients.”– Bettina NoppeneyArchitectTilke GmbHUsing 3D printing technology from 3D Systems,a German architecture firm famous for buildingstate-of-the-art Formula 1 race circuits aroundthe world can now create precision 3D colourmodels of new building concepts and proposedtrack layouts, which include the topography ofthe development site.The Lie of the LandTilke GmbH was founded by Hermann Tilke; aone-time racing driver with a background incivil engineering, and his Partner Peter Wahl.Twenty-four years later Tilke employs morethan 200 people and has overseas offices inMexico, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.Today, the company’s expertise is in demandby clients also wishing to build unique sportsfacilities and clubs, including owners of privateracetracks, golf courses and equestrian centres.Fifty years ago motor races were typicallystaged on disused aerodromes or closedstretches of public roads. These days motorsport is an international business, especiallyFormula 1 where countries and cities competeto host one of only 18 or so races held annuallyaround the world. Those aspirants who aregranted the opportunity often commissionstunning new circuits to ‘wow’ visitors and toimpress the global media.ChallengeModern F1 motor racing circuits are akin tosmall cities. Many have hotels, bars andrestaurants, shopping areas and hospitalityand media amenities, not to mention the usualfacilities necessary to accommodate the F1‘circus’ and its fans.To make matters more complicated for thedesigners, the topography of a typical racecircuit can be anything but flat, with hills,crests and drops all intended to make the trackmore challenging for the drivers and the racemore spectacular for the audience. Buildingaccurate models of a proposed new circuit,including faithful representations of the site,has, until now, been extremely time consumingand very expensive.Solution3D model of a Formula 1racing complex printed ona Spectrum Z510.Since 1994, architectural and engineering firmTilke GmbH has been the leading designerof Formula 1 circuits and on-site facilities. Atone of its two offices in Aachen, Germany, thecompany uses a 3D Systems Spectrum Z510 to

Clients can actually pick up and review 3Dprinted models to better understand thelook, feel, and style of the designs.build precision 3D colour models of proposedF1 circuits. One of the architects working atthe conceptual stage of new projects is BettinaNoppeney.“Before we had the Spectrum Z510, topographywas very difficult to model, as were complexbuilding structures and details,” she says.“Now, using images, we are able to print 3Dcolour models of the track and its surroundingarea. We can also print finely detailed 3Dmodels of the many buildings we design, whichmake up the circuit complex.”The Spectrum Z510 3D printer is ideally suitedto the office environment. It eliminates nearlyall of the hazards, waste, noise, and disposalissues that are associated with typical rapidprototyping systems and is a compact machine,which needs little space to operate.ResultsThe man responsible for running the company’sSpectrum Z510 is Franz Schleibach. Workingwith the firm’s architects and engineershe provides 3D models of everything fromstructural components and electro-mechanicalassemblies to large-scale composite layouts ofa proposed site.“Using the Spectrum Z510 we can present theclient with an entire model of a proposed F1complex. Before we invested in the 3D Systemsmachine, we had to show the concept in 2D.When a client can see a model in 3D - and isable to physically pick up buildings, see howthey are positioned relative to one another andhow they fit into the landscape - the effect ismuch more impressive.”“Even on the large, hand-made models weoften need decorative details or extra elementsto enhance our presentation,” says Mr.Schleibach. “For example, we can find objectsonline, which we can download as 3D CAD filesand print using the printer.” The SpectrumZ510 allows designers to output models inhours, not days, and build multiple models atthe same time by stacking and nesting parts.“The result is that it takes a lot less time andmoney to build a large model, plus we are ableto incorporate colour details.”3D models and product prototypes are aboutcommunication, and nothing communicatesbetter than colour, which vividly rendersarchitectural designs and landscapes. TheSpectrum Z510 allows firms like Tilke toproduce realistic colour models without paintand to better evaluate the look, feel, and styleof designs.“As well as improving our model makingprocess, the Spectrum Z510 has allowed usto pitch for projects in new areas,” says FrauNoppeney. “We can also produce conceptsmuch more quickly and to higher standards offinish. The machine has changed the way weexplore ideas and how we present to clients.“When a client can see amodel in 3D – and is able tophysically pick up buildings,see how they are positionedrelative to one anotherand how they fit into thelandscape – the effect ismuch more impressive.”– Franz SchleibachTilke GmbHKrefelder Strasse 14752070 AachenGermanywww.tilke-ac.dewww.printin3d.com333 Three D Systems CircleRock Hill, SC 29730 USATelephone +1 (803) 326-3948moreinfo@3dsystems.comWarranty/Disclaimer: The performance characteristics of these products may vary according to product application, operating conditions,material combined with, or with end use. 3D Systems makes no warranties of any type, express or implied, including, but not limited to, thewarranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use.© 2012 by 3D Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice. The 3D Systems logo and stylized text aretrademarks and 3D Systems and ZPrinter are registered trademarks of 3D Systems, Inc.Issue Date January 2012