Formula SAE
ME 3910 Project Proposal (p.1-5)
ME 3910 Project Proposal (p.6-10)
ME 4000 Presentation 1
ME 4000 Presentation 2 - Chassis and Suspension Update
ME 4000 Presentation 3 - CFP
Problem Statement
- A manufacturing firm has contracted the team to build a prototype formula racer for mass production that costs less than $25,000. The intended market is the “nonprofessional weekend autocross racer (p.9, 2007 Formula SAE(R) Rules);” therefore, the car must lhave high performance acceleration, braking, and be easy to maintain and reliable. In the end, the team will take their prototype to Detroit in May 2007 to compete against other engineering programs in all these aspects.
Project Summary
- The team will finance, design, and build a mini formula race car (see above) with which to represent the University of Utah at the 2007 Formula SAE competition in Detroit.
- The competition vehicle requirements are extremely specific. In addition, the requirements are strictly regulated and enforced by inspecting SAE engineers. In fact, the Formula SAE rulebook has 40 pages of rules regarding vehicle design alone, not including approximately 50 pages of event rules and miscellaneous design regulations. Some specific sections are the following:
- Chassis Rules
- Wheels and Tires
- Steering
- Brake Systems
- Minimum Material Requirements
- Roll Hoop Bracing
- Frontal/Side Impact Structure
- Driver and Cockpit Equipment
- Driver Restraint System
- Suspension
- Engine/Drivetrain
This list doesn’t even cover half of the specific design requirements, but it is a good example of the type of regulations the Team will be held accountable for.
- Competition Events
- Static Events: Static Events focus on the vehicle design, cost and manufacturing analysis, presentation of the vehicle, and a technical inspection. The purpose of the cost and manufacturing analysis is to ensure that each team has followed the rules. The purpose of the cost and manufacturing analysis is to teach the students the importance of cost analysis and the specific manufacturing processes involved. The purpose of the presentation is to teach the students how to sell their design to customers and manufacturing management. The purpose of the design event is to evaluate the students’ design and their design report.
- Dynamic Events: Dynamic Events focus on the actual performance of the vehicle. They will evaluate the prototype’s acceleration, cornering, autocross performance, and endurance. The autocross is an individual competition. The endurance run is a multi-vehicle competition that incorporates the previous aspects, as well as fuel efficiency and lap times.
- Funding: Varying degrees of funding will result in varying sizes of logos on the prototype. A sponsor who donates an extremely large amount (75% of the total budget) will have the prototype named after them. The Team will primarily be asking for specific components of, or material for, the prototype rather than simply monetary donations. The Team will also consider raising funds individually by renting concession stands at the Rice Eccles Stadium, etc
The Team
