Filippi and Prototek: Innovation and Performance in Olympic Rowing

Rowing 8 man

Filippi is renowned for its innovative design, high-quality materials, and cutting-edge technologies used in its Olympic-class boats. Filippi’s signature white and blue boats are internationally recognized and supplied to rowing federations worldwide. Currently, 60–70% of the boats used in top global competitions are made by Filippi.

Using Carbon EPU 46, Filippi and Prototek, a Carbon Production Network partner, have collaborated to redesign the sport of rowing, where every detail can impact athletic performance. For this reason, Filippi, an icon in competitive boat manufacturing, chose to revolutionize one of the key components of race-day performance: the rowing seat. Thanks to its collaboration with Prototek, the adoption of 3D printing has transformed this component, improving ergonomics, durability, and comfort.

EPU 46: The Material that Makes the Difference

In rowing dynamics, the seat is the essential point of contact between the athlete and the boat. An inadequate seat can hinder energy transfer and unnecessarily fatigue the rower. The solution? A high-performance seat, printed in Carbon’s EPU 46.

Ffilippi Prototek seat lattices

The benefits of latticing EPU 46 for a high-performance seat include:

  • Dynamic flexibility and support: offering the perfect balance between comfort and stability
  • Impact absorption: reducing stress on joints and the spine
  • Extreme durability: built to withstand humid environments and repeated stress
  • Customizable design: optimized to address the specific needs of a rower

Filippi and Prototek: Pushing Beyond the Limits of Traditional Manufacturing

A major innovation of the Filippi performance configuration, visually impactful as well as performance-driven, concerns the seat’s upper pad. The upper pad is now broken down into six parts, covering just the areas of real interest for athlete comfort. In previous versions, the seat cushions were made from conventional foam materials, offering limited comfort and uniform mechanical properties. Filippi sought a new technology that could make a difference: additive manufacturing.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is not just a technological choice; it also represents a real breakthrough in how sports components are designed and produced. Using Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis™ (Carbon DLS™) technology, Prototek developed a tailored solution, quickly and efficiently, reducing testing and optimization time. By removing the constraints of traditional production, additive manufacturing with Carbon technology enabled unprecedented design freedom and a superior level of precision.

Using Carbon Design Engine software, Prototek was able to strategically define multi-zonal areas within the lattice, concentrating softer regions where comfort is essential and stiffer zones where force transmission and stability are required for performance. Breaking free from the uniformity of traditional manufacturing, this solution was specifically designed to meet the diverse needs of softness, comfort, and resistance required by high-performance rowers.

This innovation marks a significant leap forward from traditional foam padding, delivering not only greater ergonomic support but also providing comfort and performance to improve athletic outcomes.

Prototek seat lattices long shot inside boat

Innovation that Propels Athletes Forward

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, athletes in Filippi boats won 64% of all rowing medals: 9 out of 14 golds, 9 out of 14 silvers, and 9 out of 14 bronzes. Of these medals, 55% were earned in boats featuring the performance configuration, in which the 3D-printed seat by Prototek is a standard component. This is even more remarkable considering that this solution launched in early 2024. Many international federations chose to test and adopt it in just a few months, a significant shift during the critical run-up to the Olympic Games.

Thanks to its expertise, Filippi continues to push the boundaries of innovation, showing how technology can improve athletic outcomes. By leveraging the competitive advantages of 3D printing, athletes gain access to support systems designed to complement every stroke, turning energy into speed.

2 man rowing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

    Consent to receive direct marketing:
    By clicking on the "Subscribe" button, you agree to receive communications about Carbon products, services, surveys, events, publications and promotions relevant to your industry. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link provided in each communication.

    By clicking on the "Subscribe" button, you also confirm that you understand and agree that this use of Carbon's web site is subject to the Carbon3d.com Terms of Use and you agree to the processing of your personal data by Carbon as described in the Privacy Policy.