Impact Attenuators

[Kettering Admins]

Formula SAE teams & Universities

Kettering University has over the years gained experience with crash testing and the development of impact attenuators due to the crash test facilities located on campus. After discussions with teams and the viewing of several online videos of unsafe and problematical impact attenuator testing, Kettering University is willing to provide their resources to teams that are in need of proper and safe impact attenuator testing.
For one week in January 2011(days T.B.D.) Kettering University is willing to test your team's impact attenuator design for $295/attenuator. As a result of the unsafe and difficult testing that teams have experienced recently, Kettering is willing to reduce the typical testing cost of $500+ normally charged to companies and corporations for test data to allow for Formula teams to obtain test results safely and efficiently. The $295 will cover all operation fees and the teams will receive a full analysis report stating pass/no pass of the attenuator design as well as a high speed video of the impact. It will be up to you to get your attenuator to us, though we will send them back after testing.
At this time we are looking to see how many teams would be interested in this opportunity. Please contact us if your team is considering this opportunity so that we can get a better estimate of interested teams. We are currently looking at the last week in January however we will be posting the final dates and more information shortly.

If you are interested or have any concerns, please respond. If you have any further questions, please contact Joe Palazzolo at +1.586.275.7101 or pala0183@kettering.edu

[Kettering Admins]

Formula SAE teams & Universities

Kettering University has over the years gained experience with crash testing and the development of impact attenuators due to the crash test facilities located on campus. After discussions with teams and the viewing of several online videos of unsafe and problematical impact attenuator testing, Kettering University is willing to provide their resources to teams that are in need of proper and safe impact attenuator testing.
For one week in January 2011(days T.B.D.) Kettering University is willing to test your team's impact attenuator design for $295/attenuator. As a result of the unsafe and difficult testing that teams have experienced recently, Kettering is willing to reduce the typical testing cost of $500+ normally charged to companies and corporations for test data to allow for Formula teams to obtain test results safely and efficiently. The $295 will cover all operation fees and the teams will receive a full analysis report stating pass/no pass of the attenuator design as well as a high speed video of the impact. It will be up to you to get your attenuator to us, though we will send them back after testing.
At this time we are looking to see how many teams would be interested in this opportunity. Please contact us if your team is considering this opportunity so that we can get a better estimate of interested teams. We are currently looking at the last week in January however we will be posting the final dates and more information shortly.

If you are interested or have any concerns, please respond. If you have any further questions, please contact Joe Palazzolo at +1.586.275.7101 or pala0183@kettering.edu

[exFSAE]

Is this entirely through Kettering FSAE? Is that where the money goes? Or to one of the engineering departments?

[Kettering Admins]

I don't know any exact numbers, but most of the money goes toward paying off the test rig, as well as crash sled maintenance and technician fees. We had hoped to have the time donated by the university but it was not to be since they would be losing time from paying customers.

Whatever measly amount of money is left after that will be split up evenly between FSAE, baja and snowmobile. When we originally came up with the idea, it was a sort-of fundraiser, but by the time it got through the university the price had doubled and profits directed elsewhere. Go figure.

[mlee35]

I'm definitely going to bring this up with my Alma Matter. the way they tested the IA this was absolutely ridiculous. Not only that, the results they got ended up getting rejected (the design used was one that has passed in past years, and as far as I know the rules hasn't changed much)

[Kettering Admins]

I thought I would bring this up once more to make sure that nobody wants to jump in now that the spec attenuator is in limbo. Sorry about the price, it's as low as we can get the University to go.

Testing is now scheduled for January 24th. We will contact teams that have already expressed interest, and others are still able to join as long as they can get an attenuator to us by January 24th.