Students of National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT) are designing another Formula One racing car this year. The feature of this car is that it is a ‘Mono Coque’ vehicle which is light weight, easier to built and manufactured with not much difficulty.
A team of 25 students from NIFFT have just begun on preparing this project. Significantly, it is for the second time that students of this tech cradle are designing a the racing car with the purpose of participating in the prestigious student design competition organised by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in the month of September every year. last year, these students became the first entry ever from the Indian subcontinent, to win the top prize at Formula SAE. They had then made ‘Trespasser’— a Formula 1 car — which was basically ‘cost feasible’.
“Our basic design is ready. Presently, we are working on the details. The budget is comparatively more this time since it is made with expensive materials. Mono Coque car involves usage of carbon fiber which is obviously costly but will be managed by sponsors. Then, we are outsourcing components like tyre and engine,” Hitesh Godhwani, a member of this techno-savvy group pointed out.
“To study the dynamics of moving parts we will use 3D modelling software Pro E. Also, there is ANSYS software for seeing the structure details and to see what will happen if the car collides. Then, we will make use of a Suspension programme 3D. It is used to indicate the minute changes. We also have Adams. last year we did not use this Adams,” Hitesh added.
These students feel that last year they were amateurs. Hitesh said, “The earlier model had tubes and added to the weight of the car. This time our main aim is to produce a light weight Car moving as fast as possible at a speed of 150 kmph. We are focusing more on acceleration and not the speed. This car will weight around 200 to 220 kg.” The team comprises students of Manufacturing Engineering along with Materials and Metallurgical Engineering branches.
According to sources, NIFFT is probably the only institute to make entry in this competition from Jharkhand this year. “Overall eight to 10 institutes have made entries in this competition,” confirmed an official source. The Metallurgy students are helping in selecting the right kind of materials which are to be used for analysis of the vehicle. Manufacturing students would make the basic design. Then they will make various alterations according to the various suggestions given by the metallurgy people.
Till 2013, Trespasser was the first Formula car designed by NIFFT. In 2012, an ATV from the same stable had won the second prize at Baja SAE on Natrax, Indore. Asked about the budget of preparing this Car, Hitesh said that it would range between Rs 10 to 15 lakhs. “Rs 10 lakh is for manufacturing the car and Rs 5 lakh for shipping the car. last year it was very close to Rs 6 lakh only.
The budding engineers are making specific changes in space in the front seat area. Turbo Chargers are added to increase the intake of the Royal Enfield (500 cc) engine in this vehicle. Stereo type steering is being used here.