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Mechanical Engineering Applications. When planning construction an understanding of materials has to be your starting point. As you design each part - ask yourselves A) What is the parts function? B) Which direction will forces be exerted? C) How much force will be applied?. A-Arm Example.
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Mechanical Engineering Applications
When planning construction an understanding of materials has to be your starting point
As you design each part - ask yourselves A) What is the parts function? B)Which direction will forces be exerted? C)How much force will be applied?
Steel A)Mild - Easy to form B) Tool - Wear resistant C) Stainless - Stiff, wear and rust resistant D) Chromoly- Strong but not brittle E) ETC. All are weldable
Aluminum A) Cast - Hard, wear resistant B) 4043 - Soft, workable C) 6063 T-6 - Aircraft grade,hard, weldable D) 7075 T-6 - Aircraft grade, very hard, can be machined but not welded E) ETC.
Titanium Titanium comes in different degrees of hardness and brittleness. It tends to crack in the corners then rip.
Fiberglass This material takes advanced thought. You can make changes to it after construction. However, changes not in the original plan often create a reduction in strength or a significant increase in weight. We have found it difficult to use fiberglass and prevent the resign from creating more weight than We would like. There are also dangers in working with and breathing the components used in this process.
Laminates There are a number of possibilities in this area. We have used corrugated plastic, corrugated fiberglass (flooring from passenger planes), and Reynolite (an aluminum and plastic laminate used for signs). Another laminate construction is wood. Boats, canoes and home built aircraft use wood laminate as a method of construction.
Carbon fiber We have researched this possibility and shied away from it. We feel: A) It is excessively expensive B) To design a structure you must learn at a completely different level the material and process C) You must think through EVERY detail in advance D) A mold is time consuming
Plastics We have used .035 Lexan for a number of applications. One of those being our wind shield. We have also used it in our battery box. It insulates the box while providing a visible check of the batteries without removing the the seal from the box. Lexan is pliable and easy to work with. Canopy is another application. Plastic has also been formed to produce our lenses for our lights. This has been done by having a laser harden resign in layers. Stretch and shrink wrap is another option.
Cloth In some locations spandex is useful. This might be done where you want to hinder air flow but allow movement. Airplane cloth on the other hand can provide reduced weight and allow enough strength to with stand a mans weight.
Foam Houston Mississippi is a great example. The outer airfoil of their car has been foam insulation for homes. It is light weight and cuts the air well. We have used foam to laminate, providing a shape between layers to create strength.
Construction Joining Methods A) Bolt D) Fiberglass B) Rivet E) Solder C) Weld F) Glue 1) Rosette 2) Spot 3) Seam
Fastening Methods A) Velcro B) Roll pins C) Cotter pins D) Hitch pin E) Push pin F) Zip ties G) Hasps H) Zeus I) Caulk J) Spirolox
Chassis Designs A) Monocoque B) I – Beam / C - Channel C) Tubular 1) Round 2) Square 3) Rectangular 4) Extruded
SS I Rolling
Chassis Considerations A) Design each member to perform its function B) A triangle is the strongest structure C) Use struts or corner braces to spread out stress and loads
Suspension Suspensions can very greatly. If you are racing only at the track event you can save the weight of suspension PROVIDED your car has a low stable center of gravity. On the road races that is not true. For those races no suspension will make the car hard to control, fatigue the driver, and tend to shake the car apart.
Types of suspension might include the following: A) Double A-Arm B) Go-Kart C) Radius link solid axel D) Trailing arm (motorcycle) E) Rocker F) Shocked fork
How can you provide shock absorption? I think the ways are limitless. Let you minds think outside the box. Here are but a few suggestions: A) Car, snowmobile, motorcycle, bicycle 4-wheeler, or airplane shocks B) Elastimers C) Springs D) Budgie cords E) A Piece of a tire F) Use your imagination
Steering To do this properly you needanauto steering development program. We use A-Arm Pro. (use last years breaking mishap as the example)
A) How important is it? B) What considerations might I need to take a look at? C) What shape is the best?
How important is it? This, in my opinion, differs for different teams. If you plan to play the role of the tortes it is not real important to your racing ability. If you plan to maintain a speed below 25 mph it will not make a great difference. On the other hand If you plan to run at faster speeds it is very important. An additional consideration might be sponsorships. I think the more sleek and professional the car looks the more you car is noticed and the better the exposure for your sponsors. Which translates to easier fund raising
What considerations might I need to take a look at? (in no particular order) A) Frontal area B) Shape (tear drop, wedge, etc.) C) Stability (other vehicles, weather) D) Planned speed E) Height off of the ground F) High / Low pressure areas (computer program) G) Safety if impacted ( review later)
C) What shape is the best? You will need to decide. If no other factors existed a tear drop is considered the most aerodynamic by most. You do not want lift nor do you want down force. The car should be as neutral as possible.
Solar Body Shell Handout
