OTR physical prototyping service

The service large-format 3D printing technology to produce full-scale physical prototypes. (Photo: OTR Engineered Solutions)

OTR Engineered Solutions, a global provider of off-the-road tire, wheel, and track solutions, has formally launched OTR3DLab, a service that uses advanced, large-format 3D printing technology to produce full-scale physical prototypes of new product concepts in a matter of a few weeks.

The service supports more than 1,000 printable materials, including flexible, rubber-like elastomers that closely mimic the look and feel of an actual production tire. The equipment can produce prototypes up to 1 cu. m., or approximately 35 cu. ft., enabling customers to receive large, full-scale concepts of treads, tracks, wheels, castings, housings and other components. Tire prototypes can be mounted directly onto standard steel or aluminum wheels using conventional tire mounting equipment,

These physical prototypes allow customers to review assemblies in a more realistic format and, in some cases, place them directly on equipment for visual evaluation, packaging studies and final design validation, OTR stated. Customers are able to assess on-vehicle aesthetics, fitment, proportions, clearance and overall design direction before committing to production tooling.

Prototype tire next to the final product. (Photo: OTR Engineered Solutions)

“Instead of relying only on drawings, renderings or small-scale models, customers can now see the product, touch it and review it on actual equipment,” said Patrick Sexton, global vice president of Engineering and Innovation at OTR Engineered Solutions. “It allows them to make quicker decisions with reduced risk.”

The OTR3DLab also complements TreadIQ, OTR’s AI-powered tire design platform used to rapidly develop custom off-the-road tread concepts for OEMs and distributors.

“Combining AI-powered tire design with full-scale 3D prototype development provides OTR customers with a faster, more interactive and more visual innovation experience,” said Oscar Torres, OTR’s president and CEO. “It allows us to move from idea to concept to physical review much faster than traditional development methods. That speed can be a major advantage for customers working to launch new products, refresh existing platforms or differentiate themselves in competitive markets.”