The Center for Student Project Activities at Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU) has developed a prototype racing car, which is planned to be announced at the Formula Student technobattle in the Leningrad Region in the future.
The Center for Student Design Activities (CSPD) is implementing a project to create a map for the Formula Student student engineering competition, an event where universities show and test self—developed racing cars in real conditions. According to Vladimir Filippov, the head of the CSPD, the developers took one of the existing racing versions as a basis.
"The decision to use a proven map as a basis was dictated by strategic goals: the championship imposes strict technical requirements and clear restrictions on dimensions, weight, frame design and safety systems," said Vladimir Filippov, adding that the finished version does not exclude new engineering solutions.
"Working within the specified framework stimulates the search for non—standard solutions in conditions of constraints, the creation of a digital model, virtual analysis of structural strength, optimization of the layout of components and assemblies, calculation of weight and dimensional characteristics and the manufacture of components on high-tech equipment," said Savely Kuznetsov, an employee of the CSPD.
The students of NSTU-NETI completed most of the components on their own — these are the frame, brackets, mounting plates, suspension elements, and protective structures. The engine, wheels, tires and part of the steering system elements had to be bought in order to save time at stages where self-manufacturing is impractical.
It took a lot of time to adjust the frame to the rail and debug the braking system. Currently, the prototype of the 140 cm3 engine is ready and has already passed the first tests to refine the design. According to Vladimir Filippov, there are no plans to apply for the competition this year, and the main thing for the team now is to fix all the shortcomings of this prototype.
Earlier, the NSTU-NETI CSPD, commissioned by Soyuztech Rehabilitation Equipment Plant LLC, developed a wheelchair for people with cerebral palsy. A special feature of this vehicle for people with disabilities is its versatility.