The first Formula SAE competition took place in 1979; since then, it has grown and expanded into a multinational organization with races all over the globe. The University of Connecticut has been participating since 2009 with teams formed of students from the Department of Engineering. When they began planning their design for this year’s competition, the students decided that they could design their vehicle more effectively and efficiently if they had a 3D CAD model of their engine.
“We looked into what other universities did so far,” said Mark Bliek, President of Bolton Engineering. “What we noticed is that either the models were not very detailed, or they were built in a way that the individual components could not be taken off the model.”
“Before we only had this kind of vague model that only had a few reference points off of the engine…but nothing really accurate,” said UConn Formula SAE’s Chief Engineer Jon Sobanski. “So when we got this new model, we were finally able to create a much more intricate intake mount that interfaced with the engine. Not only that, but we were able to actually design our frame around the engine for the first real time.”
According to Bliek, a project like this one would have taken at least six months with older software programs. With 3D Systems’ software, he said, it took the company only a month from start to finish.
“The CAD data that Bolton Works has provided us has enabled us to get all of our parts to fit together exactly how they need to, so the differential is spaced perfectly, and the intake fits perfectly,” said Mikaela Worthington, the team’s Powertrain Engineer. “None of that would have been possible if we were trying to model it all by hand.”
The multiple-race SAE competition took place in Michigan from May 11-14. Despite some weather-related setbacks, the UConn team came in 26th out of 100 teams, and were very pleased with the car’s performance. You can learn more below and from 3D Systems. Discuss this project further in the 3D Model Helps Create Racecar forum over at 3DPB.com.