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The is interesting timing! The 2017 Formula 1 season gets underway in Melbourne on March 26[1]. Formula 1 regularly uses some of the most advanced technology[

The is interesting timing! The 2017 Formula 1 season gets underway in Melbourne on March 26[1]. Formula 1 regularly uses some of the most advanced technology[2], and they make heavy use of carbon fibre. Since this was patented, the methods etc. should now be public. So, once the licensing stuff is worked out, F1's carbon fibre suppliers can rework their The benefit to F1 is in teams being able to apply changes faster, taking lessons learned from Melbourne and applying them as quickly as possible, without having to wait as long as they do now for new parts to be constructed. I'm looking forward to this! [1]: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2016/11/f1-fia-confirms-2017-calendar.html https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2016/11/f1-fia-... [2]: At least, what they can get away with! Some examples from the past: http://www.redbull.com/us/en/motorsports/f1/stories/1331620648540/5-technical-f1-innovations http://www.redbull.com/us/en/motorsports/f1/stories/13316206...

metaphor 10y ago
> ...without having to wait as long as they do now for new parts to be constructed. The comment implies that the time it takes for prototype teams to respin is largely driven by the availability of raw materials...I'm simply not following the logic.
- exDM69 10y ago
  Yes, F1 race car composite parts are still largely made by hand (assisted by laser cutters, 3d printers and other high tech). The ability to produce prototypes isn't limited by the availability of raw materials. That said, an improvement in carbon composite manufacturing could still help them if the amount of manual labor could be reduced.
- Neliquat 10y ago
  On occasion, sourcing specialty materials is truly the issue in racing. When race season starts, many fluids, and composite products are sold out for months. Many are very bespoke to racing and aerospace, so lead time may be years. Using our own processes and layup is often as much about availability as function. For F1 budgets, this may be less of an issue.
  - metaphor 10y ago
    > For F1 budgets, this may be less of an issue. That's the lingering thought in the back of my mind that kept me on the skeptical side. Thanks for chiming in.
sundvor 10y ago
As a big fan of carbon fibre who used to work for CSIRO (development of scientific document publishing) and now rides to work through Albert Park (on the actual race track, which is a public road around the lake) and can see the huge transformation taking place that is assembly of a F1 race track, this has me doubly excited. So thanks for the links. :)
- phs318u 10y ago
  :-) I feel like you should've yelled "bingo!"

metaphor 10y ago

> ...without having to wait as long as they do now for new parts to be constructed. The comment implies that the time it takes for prototype teams to respin is largely driven by the availability of raw materials...I'm simply not following the logic.

exDM69 10y ago
Yes, F1 race car composite parts are still largely made by hand (assisted by laser cutters, 3d printers and other high tech). The ability to produce prototypes isn't limited by the availability of raw materials. That said, an improvement in carbon composite manufacturing could still help them if the amount of manual labor could be reduced.
Neliquat 10y ago
On occasion, sourcing specialty materials is truly the issue in racing. When race season starts, many fluids, and composite products are sold out for months. Many are very bespoke to racing and aerospace, so lead time may be years. Using our own processes and layup is often as much about availability as function. For F1 budgets, this may be less of an issue.
- metaphor 10y ago
  > For F1 budgets, this may be less of an issue. That's the lingering thought in the back of my mind that kept me on the skeptical side. Thanks for chiming in.

sundvor 10y ago

As a big fan of carbon fibre who used to work for CSIRO (development of scientific document publishing) and now rides to work through Albert Park (on the actual race track, which is a public road around the lake) and can see the huge transformation taking place that is assembly of a F1 race track, this has me doubly excited. So thanks for the links. :)

phs318u 10y ago
:-) I feel like you should've yelled "bingo!"