US Bobsled Team (USABS) Turns to 3D Printing Before the 2026 Olympics

Bobsled is an incredible sport that has been increasingly winning over adrenaline junkies worldwide. Though in the USA, most people’s exposure to the sport is through the 1990s hit movie “Cool Runnings,” it is now a popular winter event. And now it has a connection to additive manufacturing as well. The US team has announced that it is already focusing on preparing for the next Winter Olympics in 2026 with the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (USABS) is modernizing the sport by turning to 3D printing.

Although the means have changed since the sport’s beginnings, the parts for the bobsleds must be able to withstand increasingly high loads due to the speed and physical forces involved. In addition, the personalization of the equipment is playing an increasingly important role and, of course, the safety of the athletes, which requires appropriate measures. It is for these reasons that the USABS has turned to additive manufacturing to produce several sled parts.

3D printing does not require the casting of molds, resulting in lower costs and time savings. Moreover, parts can be customized and there are virtually no limits to the design, meaning that even complex components can be manufactured with ease. The USABS team was also convinced by these advantages and announced a new partnership with the American 3D printing service provider CRP USA on October 4, 2023.