Why  3D Printing?

Competing at the highest level requires continuous improvement in both design and manufacturing. 3D printing fits perfectly within this strategy, allowing the Audace Sailing Team from Italy to rapidly produce precise molds for
composite components, scale models for functional testing, and even parts that are directly integrated into their boats. Thanks to 3D technology, they can increase production accuracy and reduce waste, while also pursuing environmental sustainability—a key factor in the future of sailing.

Advantages of 3D Printing in Sailing Boats
Several key advantages make 3D printing a strategic asset for the Audace Sailing team:

• Strength:
  The robustness of printed materials enables the creation of molds suitable for demanding processes such as compression molding and vacuum infusion, ensuring reliability and durability.
• Complex Geometries:
  3D printing offers design freedom that is unattainable with traditional techniques, allowing the team to produce complex, performance-optimized components.
• Cost-Effectiveness:
  This technology significantly lowers production costs, a crucial advantage for a non-profit student team working with a limited budget.
• Production Speed:
  3D printing accelerates the production cycle, enabling numerous preliminary tests before final manufacturing and minimizing waste, thereby improving overall productivity.

Materials Used and Reasons for Selection

PLA Pro:

• Strength and stiffness:
  Ideal for producing molds for composite lamination and infusion, it offers excellent dimensional stability even with low infill levels.
• Ease of post-processing:
  Extremely easy to finish with sanding, even up to very fine grits (2000), facilitating the clean release of components after processing.
• Reliable printability:
  Its ease of printing allows us to handle even complex geometries confidently, ensuring precise and dependable results.

PETG:

• High mechanical strength and hardness:
  Allows for the production of not only molds but also structural components integrated directly into the boats.
• Excellent printability and surface finish:
  The combination of easy printing and high-quality surface finish makes PETG ideal for producing functional parts with a high standard of quality.

Experimental Materials:

• Ongoing innovation:
  As a student team, we are constantly testing new materials, evaluating their mechanical properties and behavior in contact with water and environmental conditions.
• Soluble and removable supports:
  Soluble or easily removable materials help improve final part quality by reducing post-processing time and minimizing the risk of damage during part removal.

Future Objectives of the Project

The team's goal is to remain at the forefront of sustainable nautical innovation and achieve top results in high-level competitions through technological advancement. With the support of Polymaker and the use of our advanced materials, they aim to concretely demonstrate the value of 3D printing in naval engineering, while promoting a new sustainable paradigm for the sailing world. Media presence will help disseminate these values and inspire the next generation of the maritime sector.