Revolutionizing Trophy Design: The Larry Perkins Trophy

Dr Scott Mayson's Innovative Approach to Celebrating Motorsport Legacy

The Larry Perkins Trophy was commissioned by the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Corporation to celebrate Perkins' contributions to engineering in Formula 1 and Australian touring cars, now known as the Supercars Championship. The trophy's design incorporates elements of both categories of motorsport, with a carbon fiber component and 3D printed titanium spokes and nameplates. These elements were created using algorithms, resulting in a unique and visually striking design.

What sets the Larry Perkins Trophy apart is its innovative use of technology. The trophy was designed in virtual reality, a first in its international category. The trophy features a 2x2 Carbon Fibre twill shell with five 3D printed generatively designed spokes. The 20 titanium nameplates, which mimic race car rear diffusers, are interchangeable, allowing the names of future winners of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Melbourne 400 to be engraved over time.

The trophy was realized using Carbon Fibre Vacuum infusion, Titanium, Ti6Al4V, spokes, nameplates, and a centre naming disk. A Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printed backplate was also used to hide internals and assist with holding the trophy. This combination of materials and technologies resulted in a trophy that is not only visually stunning but also functional and durable.

Dr Scott Mayson's design team included Design Assistant Arthur Georgalas, Carbon Fiber specialist Adrian Fasel Murphy, and Titanium 3D printing experts Professor Milan Brandt and Aaron Peteras. The team worked together from January to March 2018 to bring this innovative design to life.

The design process involved extensive generative design research, which involved implementing a series of agents that find a pathway within a given structure. These agents react to several manufacturing parameters in order to align in relation to each other so that the resultant geometry is successfully built within the parameters of the titanium 3D printing process without the need for internal support structures.

The Larry Perkins Trophy is a testament to the power of innovative design and cutting-edge technology. It not only honors a motorsport legend but also sets a new standard for trophy design. The trophy's exceptional quality in design and construction has been recognized with a Golden A' Design Award, a testament to Dr Scott Mayson's design prowess and the team's dedication to excellence.