Super Bowl Sunday went by fast! Super Bowl LVIII is an event characterized by hype due to factors such as the romance between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, and an appearance by Usher, it would be understandable if you missed the fact that 3D printing will have a role of its own! The world's largest free-standing, 3D-printed structure, made in honor of the late Al Davis, the longtime owner of the Las Vegas Raiders franchise, is on display at the stadium. This incredible torch has been placed to symbolize the convergence of sports, technology and memory and has captured the attention of millions across America as they gather to watch the final game of the season.
But what exactly is this 3D printed structure? Crafted by design, build and technology firm Dimensional Innovations, this monumental gift, known as the Al Davis Memorial Torch, is not only a testament to Davis' legacy, but also a marvel of modern engineering and additive manufacturing. Standing at an impressive 93 feet, or about nine stories, the Al Davis Memorial Torch is the tallest 3D printed structure in the world in both volume and height. Weighing over 40 tons, nearly 50,000 hours went into its design and construction.
A close-up of the flame of the Al Davis Memorial Torch, the world's largest 3D-printed structure that attended the Super Bowl (Photo: Las Vegas Raiders)
The torch is made up of 226 3D printed blocks, each meticulously crafted from carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate composite. These blocks, weighing approximately 350 pounds each, were printed using one of only three large-scale additive manufacturing (LSAM) machines available in the United States, which Dimensional Innovations acquired in 2019 to begin construction.
Given the challenges posed by other manufacturing techniques to accurately reproduce the complex shape of the flare, LSAM was the natural choice to complete this ambitious project. Known for its precision in handling large-scale 3D printing jobs, the printer was quickly deemed necessary to create the memorial. For two years, the LSAM printer produced two blocks per day, a total of 226 needed for completion. These blocks were then machined and finished for integration into the memorial. In the end, it is reported that over 100,000 lbs of raw material were used in the creation of the memorial.
The Al Davis Memorial Torch Showcases the Intersection of 3D Technology and Sports (Photos: Dimensional Innovations)
Dimensional Innovations Director of Sports Practice Justin Wood further explained: “Our company has never encountered a project of this scale or complexity. In fact, no one had. Our team has worked tirelessly to design, print, fabricate, test and install the memorial torch to ensure it conveys the symbolic flame that burns brightest in the Raiders organization. We couldn't be more excited for fans to experience this wonder up close and from afar during The Big Game.
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