Richard Childress Racing Makes Parts to Order with Roland DG Technology

Machine shop manager Rocky Helms has a lot riding on his work – literally.  Helms oversees the machine shop for world-renowned Richard Childress Racing (RCR), in Welcome, North Carolina.  Each year, Helms’ staff of 24 works two shifts a day to produce the 170,000 parts needed to supply RCR’s fully integrated vertical manufacturing operation.'

The machine shop itself occupies 24,000 square feet on the 52-acre RCR campus. Since its founding in 1969, RCR has racked up 17 championships and more than 200 victories across NASCAR’s top three series, including three Daytona 500 wins (1998, 2007, 2018) and three Brickyard 400 victories (1995, 2003, 2011). 

Advanced Machining Capability

To help manufacture RCR’s race cars and keep its support vehicles at peak performance, the RCR machine shop is stocked with the latest in advanced machining technology, including the Roland DG MODELA MDX-540 benchtop milling machine.

“We love the convenience, low maintenance, and reliability of the MDX mill.”

While the shop’s largest jobs can take up to 10 hours to produce on its larger CNC mills, smaller, one-off part production jobs on the MDX can be completed in as little as 10 minutes. “The MDX has been a great addition to our production,” said Helms. “It quickly and efficiently produces high quality parts.”

RCR uses its Roland DG MDX-540 to mill engine parts, brake parts, wheel spacers, shock mounts, and gas pedal throttle bodies.  The device is also used to create fixtures and to mill carbon fiber parts for head hinges as well as to engrave identification numbers onto parts.

Easy Operation

Helms’ staff prefers to use the MDX for smaller jobs because it’s simple to program and easy to operate as well as cost-effective and efficient.  They especially appreciate the MDX mill’s automatic tool changer.  

“We love the convenience, low maintenance, and reliability of the MDX mill. It’s a critical part of keeping our operations running smoothly,” said Helms.