Carmarthenshire Schools 3D Printed Car Race

Carmarthenshire schools prepare for a grand prix style, 3D printed car race.

21:27 17 September 2018

Children at eight Carmarthenshire schools are set to compete in a grand prix style, 3D printed car race. Teams will be tasked with printing, assembling, painting and testing the cars before they compete at Carmarthen Park’s velodrome.

Schools taking part are Ysgol y Dderwen, Ysgol Gynradd Nantgaredig, Ysgol Teilo Sant, Ysgol Llanllwni, Ysgol Carreg Hirfaen, Ysgol Llanybydder, Ysgol y Bedol and Ysgol Peniel.


Each car in the race is based on a Daniel Noree design, adopted by major manufacturers, and managed by local car dealerships.


Participants are also tasked to design advertising banners and team shirts, negotiate car dealerships about advertising, secure advertising space and raise awareness of the race.

 

Dr Dimitris Pletsas, from Swansea University’s College of Engineering, said: “Manufacturing across the world will experience major changes in coming years, with the use of more and more 3D printing, artificial intelligence and robotics. This is why a Factory of the Future project is one of 11 due to be part-funded by the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal, as we look to prepare for the changes by future-proofing the regional manufacturing industry.


“As well as teaching children from participating schools key skills in team-working, problem-solving and marketing, the 3D printed car race will also give them knowledge in innovative design, manufacturing and engineering techniques that will stand them in good stead for the future.


“With the City Deal due to create close to 10,000 new, high-quality jobs in the next 15 years, it’s crucial we equip our children with the skills and motivation necessary to access these employment opportunities. Projects like this will complement everything Carmarthenshire Council is doing to put a Skills and Talent initiative in place to support each City Deal project.”