The team of 25 students participated in competitions in Germany and Czech Republic; bagged second prize in cost and manufacturing.
Formula Manipal 2013, an annual student project of building their own formula racing cars for international racetracks students of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), has earned the second prize in a prestigious event in Germany.
This year, for the first time, the team comprising 25 students, participated in competitions in Germany and the Czech Republic. The team did well in both places and even bagged the second prize in cost and manufacturing in the content in Germany.
The team consists of 25 undergraduate students led by Aakhilesh Singhania (team leader) and Rishu Raj Singh (team manager). Over 23 countries participated in Germany. This was the first-ever podium finish for a Formula Manipal team.
This was the fifth time formula cars have been built and tested by the students of MIT on the international racetracks. The competition was been organised by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
Improving upon last season’s design, the team innovated and came up with a more compact design this year with reduced weight and lighter bodywork. The students used a Honda CBR 600RR engine and also incorporated a Drexler Differential along with electro-pneumatic gear shifting. The team also used a custom made driveline and uprights, thus giving them a competitive edge.
Before participating in the competition, the team carried extensive testing on the FMX3 both in India and abroad. In India, they tested the car at a local karting track. Testing was also done in Austria at the Red Bull Ring with Joanneum Racing Graz of UAS Graz, which has helped the team perform at the competitions.
In the Cost Event, the team had to make a cost report including a bill of materials and components used. This report is then scrutinised by the judges and a discussion at the competition with the Cost Judges around the team’s vehicle is held.
This evaluates not only the cost of the car, but also the team’s ability to prepare accurate engineering and manufacturing cost estimates. And finally, a ‘real case’ scenario is held and students will have to respond to a challenge related to cost or manufacturing of the student vehicle.
The team cleared tech inspection on the very first day and also did quite well in the dynamic events. They achieved an acceleration of 4.62 seconds in the acceleration at FSG.
Formula Manipal also participated in Formula Student Czech Republic and made history by becoming the only Indian team to complete in endurance for the Formula Student Season 2013, fetching them an overall rank of ninth in the event.
Doing so, it also became the only Indian team to complete endurance with electro-pneumatic gear shifting.
The ambassadors were applauded and appreciated by renowned judges of the formula world including Claude Rouelle, the president of Optimum G and Pat Clarke, renowned bike racer.
Formula SAE (FSAE) is a competition organised by the SAE for students. The challenge for the students is to design and manufacture a formula race car with specific design and safety considerations as per the guidelines laid down by FSAE. The different cars competing at the event are evaluated on quality of design and performance.
Competitions is held in 10 different zones around the globe.
More than 2000 engineering students participate from over 23 countries to showcase their technical.
source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Bangalore> / Report / by DNA , Place:Manipal, Agency:DNA / Tuesday – August 27th, 2013