Vehicle Status 2012

[wagemd]

Even though there are still a few competitions left for the 2011 season, I bet there are a number of teams that are well underway for 2012.

Post those updates!

[coastertrav]

We have a strict schedule due to a senior design team doing the full suspension and graduating in the Fall. That means the car at least needs to move under it's own power for some preliminary testing.

So far we have the chassis modeled and are just putting the final designs on the uprights and hubs. Should be starting manufacturing within the month.

[Chris B]

We're an Australian team so our intended 2012 car won't compete until december next year, but so far we've finalised suspension geometry, starting on the detailed design of the suspension parts. chassis design is also well underway.

UQ Racing

[Spetsnazos]

We haven't started http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[coastertrav]

Originally posted by Spetsnazos:
We haven't started http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Don't feel bad, it's rough to try to get everyone motivated enough to get things done this early for us usually. UCF is just running on the wave of excitement from finishing all events and having our best score yet by the current team.

[Spetsnazos]

Originally posted by coastertrav:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Spetsnazos:
We haven't started http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Don't feel bad, it's rough to try to get everyone motivated enough to get things done this early for us usually. UCF is just running on the wave of excitement from finishing all events and having our best score yet by the current team. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We have a TON of new people that are already suggesting retarded things. Me and one other guy started the design process but with the recent changover with advisors, anything can happen.

Could be worse I suppose...

[Dash]

Originally posted by Spetsnazos:

Could be worse I suppose...

It could. Right now we are trying to finish up what should have been our 2011 car. Our team is very small, and we had some team drama that led to 1 section leader quitting about two months before competition. He had one guy under him who doesn't really know what to do. Another section leader was supposedly doing a bunch of his work at a machine shop on campus while he did work related stuff ( he runs a CNC at that shop ), turns out he was just slacking off and now I'm in charge of his section too since he graduated. So we now have 5 people with low moral and a half done car, and 2 of those people don't really know what to do. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Hoping I can inspire them and do some decent recruitment come fall.

[wagemd]

Autumn qtr starts officially for our new members tomorrow. (the UW starts REALLY late in the year).

I think most other schools have been well underway for a while now.

How are things looking?

Teams that went to West last year, are you going to Lincoln instead or do you have other plans?

If you have pictures, post a few! Always exciting to see the competition.

[RobbyObby]

We are already a few weeks into the current semester and we've already picked up at least 10 new recruits. We've never had this much interest this early on. Although all a handful of them want to do is learn to weld. lol.
So far the wheel package, suspension kinematics, and most of the frame have been designed. Still working on skock packaging and steering geometry.
We're running a non-stock ECU for the first time this year (Megasquirt III), so we'll start playing around with that soon.
We are planning on going to Lincoln this year. We are also going to Michigan though, and with the new 1 month lockout system, it'll be interesting to see how quickly it fills up.

[DanielH]

We are on a two year schedule. So we started this car last year. So far we have our chassis glued together and ready for inserts. Most of the design is done and a lot of other parts have been made. Our goal is to be done by Christmas.

[M. Nader]

We are currently in the process of finishing off the designs for each sub task (we have made several iterations), we are only missing a full vehicle dynamics simulation and some accurate data to finalize the designs on (tire data should be available within one week).

Id say we have one month to produce our full, final designs. Then start ordering and manufacturing, hopefully by then we will have more sponsors http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Mohamed Nader
Cairo University Racing Team Technical Director 2012

[df_fsmb]

Our last competition was Italy at the start of September, so we are slowly coming back from holidays. We finally got TTC data few weeks ago, ao analysis of tons of data is underway. This weekend we are cleaning our shop and then starting with the design process in October.

[Moofosta]

We have our chassis completed and welded up, all other designs done, and are about 30-40% complete with fabricating everything. We are a first year team and I thought we were behind for the 2012 Michigan comp.

[cvargas]

We're about 75% done with our suspension design, chassis is about half way done, powertrain is still designing the intake and we're ordering some finalized parts already.

[Sameh]

Halfway through the design process .. with no data for the engine and tires!!

[Florence]

Hello All,

I am a first time FSAE team member of my university. I am sorry for my kiddish query but a couple of days back, I saw my team mates rubbing the mild steel tubes with sandpaper to remove rust. Later I realised that this strong concentrated rubbing has changed the dimension along a fairly large length of tube.
When I measured it with a caliper, the dimension was varying from 24.9 to 25.0 instead of being exact 25.0 throughout the length.
Now, as we all are inexperienced, could anyone of you please tell me if this much dimensional inaccuracy is avoided by the judges at the competition or do they strictly follow each and every word written in the rule book.

I there any method to adjust the dimension ar we have to buy new steel tubes. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[df_fsmb]

Originally posted by Florence:
Hello All,

I am a first time FSAE team member of my university. I am sorry for my kiddish query but a couple of days back, I saw my team mates rubbing the mild steel tubes with sandpaper to remove rust. Later I realised that this strong concentrated rubbing has changed the dimension along a fairly large length of tube.
When I measured it with a caliper, the dimension was varying from 24.9 to 25.0 instead of being exact 25.0 throughout the length.
Now, as we all are inexperienced, could anyone of you please tell me if this much dimensional inaccuracy is avoided by the judges at the competition or do they strictly follow each and every word written in the rule book.

I there any method to adjust the dimension ar we have to buy new steel tubes. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Paint?

[Florence]

But I have heard that for measuring dimensions, judges use radiographic probes. Won't it reveal the actual dimension ???

Please suggest, is there any simple way to solve this problem ??

[whiltebeitel]

Replace the tubes, and don't let people sand them so darn much!

[RobbyObby]

Seriously! That's 0.1 mm. 4 thousandths of an inch for us imperial folks. Hell, the variation in size between two seemingly identical tubes is probably bigger than that. That's less than the accuracy of most measuring devices.
Don't worry about it man. If you start seeing differences of like 1mm or more, I'd start to get worried. But for something this small, you'll be fine.

[Florence]

And what if we are complete with our roll cage. These tubes actually constitute our main hoop and front hoop.

We are done with our TIG welding. Now replacing the tubes would like destroying the roll cage and make a new one.

I know, we have done a disaster with our first FSAE. But are there any chances that the judges avoid this inaccuracy ?? http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[RobbyObby]

Originally posted by Florence:
And what if we are complete with our roll cage. These tubes actually constitute our main hoop and front hoop.

We are done with our TIG welding. Now replacing the tubes would like destroying the roll cage and make a new one.

I know, we have done a disaster with our first FSAE. But are there any chances that the judges avoid this inaccuracy ?? http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Yes, the judges avoid differences that small. Like I said, alot of the ultrasoonic testers used at competition have larger inaccuracies than you have. I would actually think it's better that it's your roll hoops. The minimum tube size is 2.5mm. SO if your tubes are now 0.1 mm smaller, that's a 2% difference in wall thickness. Negligible for sure. You are absolutely fine, so don't worry. Hell, at Michigan last year, the tech inspector just came up to me and said "What size is that tube? And that one?" and I told him what they were, and nothing more was done. They did'nt even measure it! Not saying that will happen to you, but if the scrutineers really followed ever single word in the rule book letter for letter, it would take 3 hours to tech a single car, and half the cars wouldn't pass.

[Florence]

Thanks a lot Robby, now I can concentrate on the bigger issues. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Michael Royce]

Florence,
RobbyObby is correct that 0.1 mm on tubing OD is of no consequence.

To add to his comments, the tech inspectors will use vernier calipers to check the outside diameter of tubes, and an utra-sonic tester to check wall thickness at some, but not necessarily all, events. I know the ultra-sonic tester is used at Michigan, California, Formula Student (UK) and Formula Hybrid. I do not know about FS Germany, FSAE-A, FSAE-Italy, FSAE-Brazil or the other non-official events. If there is no tester available, OR there is a question about its reading, or a tube is showing a non-compliant wall thickness, it is probable, almost certain, that the inspector will ask for an inspection hole to be drilled so the wall thickness can be checked with a vernier.

We all know that there are tolerances on the OD and wall thickness of tubing. But tubing comes in known sizes with steps in OD, e.g. in Imperial, 1.0", 1.125", 1.25", etc. These are distinct steps. Also wall thickness come in distinct steps, e.g. 0.105", 0.095", 0.083", 0.065" and 0.049". Metric tubing has similar steps. So an experienced tech inspector knows this and can easily tell whether a tube is what it should be.

One point that I always make to teams is that BEFORE you make the first cut on the tubing you have just bought, measure it to make sure it is what you ordered and thought you had. There have been reports of teams receiving incorrect material, or even of a supplier substituting sizes because they thought it was OK and did not realize that the size is very important! Getting to a competition only to find out that your Main Hoop Bracing is 0.049" wall and not 0.065" is not recommended.

[coastertrav]

Looks like the KR12 had it's first shakedown test today. About 6 months before the usual time for UCF. It was mostly a suspension test, with many of the final components still needing to be produced (intake/exhaust, finish the dry sump, diffuser, and many odds and ends).

All the components that make it a rolling chassis and drivetrain are done, now time for more testing.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a318/coastertrav/FirstDrive.jpg

[ZAMR]

I must say kudos to the frame engineer for making full use of the roll hoop structure as a stiffening component!

However, and I'm not saying this to be a dick, just don't want you guys to have to weld on your frame later, but it appears that the main hoop bracing termination does not triangulate back to the lower side impact member (at least not with the proper sized tubes). Maybe I just can't see it...

[coastertrav]

Well, as the electrical lead (and frame designer, go figure), I can say that it indeed does triangulate back to the lower side impact member, well within the rules.

I do however appreciate the compliment, and even more so, the bringing to my attention the frame issue. If it wasn't to the rules I'd be even happier.

[coastertrav]

Also, those brake fluid reservoir are not in their final home (or even being used in the final rendition). For that we took a page from Baja's book.

[OspreysGoSWOOP]

Originally posted by coastertrav:
Looks like the KR12 had it's first shakedown test today. About 6 months before the usual time for UCF. It was mostly a suspension test, with many of the final components still needing to be produced (intake/exhaust, finish the dry sump, diffuser, and many odds and ends).

All the components that make it a rolling chassis and drivetrain are done, now time for more testing.


Sick picture dude and grats on early completion. We look forward to hanging out with you guys tomorrow.

[ZAMR]

Originally posted by coastertrav:
Well, as the electrical lead (and frame designer, go figure), I can say that it indeed does triangulate back to the lower side impact member, well within the rules.

I do however appreciate the compliment, and even more so, the bringing to my attention the frame issue. If it wasn't to the rules I'd be even happier.

It was my understanding that all bracing support structures must be 1"x.049" but all I see is a .75" or .5" tube providing the lowermost triangulation.

Is that one tube at the a-arm hardpoint bent? Does a bend not require triangulation?

Also, this is very early for a frame to be finished; very cool.

[coastertrav]

Originally posted by ZAMR:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by coastertrav:
Well, as the electrical lead (and frame designer, go figure), I can say that it indeed does triangulate back to the lower side impact member, well within the rules.

I do however appreciate the compliment, and even more so, the bringing to my attention the frame issue. If it wasn't to the rules I'd be even happier.

It was my understanding that all bracing support structures must be 1"x.049" but all I see is a .75" or .5" tube providing the lowermost triangulation.

Is that one tube at the a-arm hardpoint bent? Does a bend not require triangulation?

Also, this is very early for a frame to be finished; very cool. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, the quickness that the frame was done was due to our sponsorship with Cartesian Tube, and the hard work of some of the guys making jigs during the final weeks of verification design and during the week it took Cartesian to turn our design around.

I'll send a question out to the judges for a verification of the rules. I interpreted it as there had to be a 1 x .049 path to both the upper and lower side impact nodes that had to be well triangulated.

Also, there is no bent tubing on the chassis besides the front and main roll hoops.

If it is an issue at least it would be easy to fix, I'll keep everyone posted.

[OspreysGoSWOOP]

Originally posted by coastertrav:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ZAMR:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by coastertrav:
Well, as the electrical lead (and frame designer, go figure), I can say that it indeed does triangulate back to the lower side impact member, well within the rules.

I do however appreciate the compliment, and even more so, the bringing to my attention the frame issue. If it wasn't to the rules I'd be even happier.

It was my understanding that all bracing support structures must be 1"x.049" but all I see is a .75" or .5" tube providing the lowermost triangulation.

Is that one tube at the a-arm hardpoint bent? Does a bend not require triangulation?

Also, this is very early for a frame to be finished; very cool. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, the quickness that the frame was done was due to our sponsorship with Cartesian Tube, and the hard work of some of the guys making jigs during the final weeks of verification design and during the week it took Cartesian to turn our design around.

I'll send a question out to the judges for a verification of the rules. I interpreted it as there had to be a 1 x .049 path to both the upper and lower side impact nodes that had to be well triangulated.

Also, there is no bent tubing on the chassis besides the front and main roll hoops.

If it is an issue at least it would be easy to fix, I'll keep everyone posted. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We used Cartesian tubing for our chassis too. Worked out really well. I don't think are frame would be as good as it is if we had to do it all manually.

It was really a god send for a first year team.

[coastertrav]

Originally posted by OspreysGoSWOOP:

We used Cartesian tubing for our chassis too. Worked out really well. I don't think are frame would be as good as it is if we had to do it all manually.

It was really a god send for a first year team.

It really is a good company to go through. We had some issues with their response time to some of our questions, but found that calling them was the quickest way to get an answer. Also, can't speak highly enough about having good jigs in place to make a frame fly together. It was a matter of a week, with most of that time spent drilling and reaming holes before welding and setting up the jigs.

Really cant speak highly enough of them.

[Tallboy]

Originally posted by coastertrav:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by OspreysGoSWOOP:

We used Cartesian tubing for our chassis too. Worked out really well. I don't think are frame would be as good as it is if we had to do it all manually.

It was really a god send for a first year team.

It really is a good company to go through. We had some issues with their response time to some of our questions, but found that calling them was the quickest way to get an answer. Also, can't speak highly enough about having good jigs in place to make a frame fly together. It was a matter of a week, with most of that time spent drilling and reaming holes before welding and setting up the jigs.

Really cant speak highly enough of them. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you don't mind me asking, do you have any pictures of your jig setup? Our tubes are at Cartesian right now (+1 to them being amazing to work with) and we'd like to hit the ground running when the tubes come back.

[wagemd]

We run a monocoque now, but for the last two spaceframes we built, we used Cartesian and they were great. I don't think the newer members appreciated how long it took to fishmouth by hand...

[wagemd]

Winter quarter started Jan 3rd for us and that puts us officially in the build quarter. Shinny new parts coming out every day...

Start posting pictures if you have them!

[OspreysGoSWOOP]

Originally posted by Tallboy:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by coastertrav:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by OspreysGoSWOOP:

We used Cartesian tubing for our chassis too. Worked out really well. I don't think are frame would be as good as it is if we had to do it all manually.



It was really a god send for a first year team.

It really is a good company to go through. We had some issues with their response time to some of our questions, but found that calling them was the quickest way to get an answer. Also, can't speak highly enough about having good jigs in place to make a frame fly together. It was a matter of a week, with most of that time spent drilling and reaming holes before welding and setting up the jigs.

Really cant speak highly enough of them. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you don't mind me asking, do you have any pictures of your jig setup? Our tubes are at Cartesian right now (+1 to them being amazing to work with) and we'd like to hit the ground running when the tubes come back. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Our jigs are nothing to write home about. In fact they're OK for a first year team with no resources. We learned ALOT from the process though and would definitely make some improvements for next chassis.

To see all our pictures visit www.facebook.com/unfsae (http://www.facebook.com/unfsae)

[OmarHJ]

Has any teams created a rolling car yet for 2012 season?

[whiltebeitel]

Missouri S&T has had a rolling chassis for a while, since December.

[LMR-GTMS]

GT Motorsports had its first drive day of its new car 67 on December 16th.

We started 67's build on September 23rd.Rolling on December 10th. Our website shows pictures of how the build went.

First Drive Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBQ2aUOmCX4&feature=autoplay&list=LL9a-hoBJR8nCaK6ME1n-e3Q&lf=mh_lolz&playnext=12)

[OspreysGoSWOOP]

The University of North Florida SAE chapter was founded in January 2010 with the goal of competing in 2012.

Today marks the first day of our rolling chassis that has been in development for over 18 months.

We are all EXTREMELY proud and look forward to competition in May. SWOOP!

http://i.imgur.com/nIyik.jpg

[wagemd]

Bump

This thread's been quiet for a while, where's your car at?

Who's cars are on the ground/driving/testing?

[kcapitano]

The University of Western Ontario is unveiling its 2012 car this wednesday at the campus pub and we have time on a chassis dyno booked for thursday. Last I saw the car it wasn't quite race ready, everything necessary is installed but were still working out some of the kinks and doing a mock tech inspection.

This is the earliest we have ever finished!

www.uwoformularacing.com (http://www.uwoformularacing.com)

[OspreysGoSWOOP]

University of North Florida update.

In 2 years we've gone from zero to hero.
The school's first SAE chapter was founded January 2010.

April 7,2012 marked the first day of driving the school's first Formula SAE car.

Very proud moment for us all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUOZs6twduw

[theTTshark]

Originally posted by OspreysGoSWOOP:
University of North Florida update.

In 2 years we've gone from zero to hero.
The school's first SAE chapter was founded January 2010.

April 7,2012 marked the first day of driving the school's first Formula SAE car.

Very proud moment for us all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUOZs6twduw
Is that the intake you will be using for comp?

[OspreysGoSWOOP]

Originally posted by theTTshark:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by OspreysGoSWOOP:
University of North Florida update.

In 2 years we've gone from zero to hero.
The school's first SAE chapter was founded January 2010.

April 7,2012 marked the first day of driving the school's first Formula SAE car.

Very proud moment for us all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUOZs6twduw
Is that the intake you will be using for comp? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Haha. Several people have said that. Come on guys, don't you think we're smarter than that.

[rmk36]

Originally posted by OspreysGoSWOOP:
Haha. Several people have said that. Come on guys, don't you think we're smarter than that.

You'll be surprised to see how many clear and simple rules get overlooked by teams at competition. TT is just looking out for you.