So far, however, the rapid-prototyping machine simply produces an accurately shaped mould from which the plate is cast.

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At the intimate Christmas market outside, a young fellow at a stall offered us several samples of snaps warming, herb-infused Scandinavian spirits and a plate of heart-shaped waffles dusted with sugar and jam to eat while we chatted about his hometown.

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He did just that, leading the final 78 laps on the 312-lap race around PIR's odd-shaped oval in the first non-restrictor-plate race with NASCAR's new Gen-6 car.

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To further hone the image, engineers use a technique called optical proximity correction, which uses oddly shaped bars, notches and other distortions that are cut into the chrome template on the quartz plate to trick light waves into making a more precise pattern (see left).

FORBES: Trick Of The Light

To further hone the image, engineers use a technique called optical proximity correction, which uses oddly shaped bars, notches and other distortions that are cut into the chrome template on the quartz plate to trick light waves into making a more precise pattern (see chart).

FORBES: Trick of the Light