[Frame Design]What is the design process?

[Dualsaber]

I'm at the Frame Design group in my team.

Some time I was wondering what is this work all about.Beacuse a lack of experience.We just know that we should design a frame according the rule.And at the same time meet the design requirement of suspension\engine mount\driver etc.

We are chinese student who have only learn about passenger car design.So we are rookie in race car design~

I sincerely ask for some guidance. Mainly about the design procedure and some notice.

[Dualsaber]

I'm at the Frame Design group in my team.

Some time I was wondering what is this work all about.Beacuse a lack of experience.We just know that we should design a frame according the rule.And at the same time meet the design requirement of suspension\engine mount\driver etc.

We are chinese student who have only learn about passenger car design.So we are rookie in race car design~

I sincerely ask for some guidance. Mainly about the design procedure and some notice.

[TorqueWrench]

Take a look around, I am sure frame design processes have been done discussed alot around here.

Remember that the frame is nothing but a bracket that holds all the parts of the car together. It needs to stiff enough to make your suspension work, strong enough to protect the driver in case of an accident/catastrophic failure (normally will be if it meets the rules), keep the engine/drivetrain where it needs to be, and provide mounting locations for the rest of the components. Steve Fox suggested last year at Rutgers that your target torsional rigidity goal should be an order of magnitude above your highest static corner weight, but for this to be useful you need to understand the reasoning behind that number (who knows, that may be too high).

As with most parts: do rough component design, make compromises amount components to make entire package work, run analysis, design final parts, manufacture it, and test it.

[TacoPete]

It's not should design a frame according to the rules, it's will design to the rules.

Have your performance design fit the rule design... it does happen.

[jrickert]

Its always good to have new teams. Your objective should be to pass tech and complete all events. Good luck! Most steel chassis teams use 1" tubing of various thicknesses. Figure out what your frame needs to connect to and go from there. You face a trade off between rigidity/reliability and lightness. Honestly i am impressed with every new team i see that manages to bring a working car to competition. With no legacy to build on you have a challenging but fun opportunity.