Development of a Four Wheel Steering System for a Formula-SAE Collegiate Design Competition Race Car
Why This Project Is Important
Michigan Tech's’s F-SAE team needs a 4ws system design that increases handling for dynamic competition events. This project is a small part of a larger team effort to design an open wheel race car for use in autocross style racing. The team is made up of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and business students that design, build, and compete in Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) sponsored design competitions. These students gain knowledge and experience in engineering and design that can be applied in industry upon graduation.
Project Description
Michigan Technological University's Formula SAE (F-SAE) team is a student enterprise that designs, builds, and competes with an open wheeled race car, seeks performance gains in handling through a four wheel steering system. To succeed in the competition against other teams from around the world, all possible systems that increase performance must be explored.
Michigan Tech's’s F-SAE team needs a 4ws system design that increases handling for dynamic competition events. Development of this system will use modeling software along with real world testing data to predict how the system must perform. Real world testing will be completed with a prototype system and test vehicle to validate predictions made during design. Results from this project will be used to design the chassis of future vehicles, specifically the F-X18 which will be used for competition in the 2018 season. The drivers of the car must feel confident and be capable of using the system to increase performance during skidpad and autocross events. The future members of the F-SAE team need documentation of the developed system to replicate the successes and avoid any shortcomings of the developed prototype.
Meet the Researchers
James De Clerck
Jim De Clerck is a Professor of Practice in the MEEM Department at Michigan Tech. Prior to joining the Michigan Tech faculty in 2009, Jim worked at the GM Noise and Vibration Center in Milford, Michigan. Jim currently advises the Michigan Tech FSAE Team and teaches classes on engineering design and structural dynamics.
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What Your Donation Can Help Us Do:
- Allow more rapid development of new technologies for the team.
- Help to acquire more data from testing.
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