Newsletter
March 2017
Team Leader Message Hi I’m Tom Brignell, the Team Leader for 2017 Formula Student Class 1 Team, and welcome to the Leeds Formula Race Team Newsletter. It’s a big year for change this year; we have decided to introduce a Class 2 Team for the first time, enabling a two-year cycle for design and manufacture of a competition-worthy car. The teams will be split between the 3rd year academic projects working on Class 2 entry and 4th year team projects working on Class 1, and both teams will be supplemented with members from over the entire university. This year the Class 1 team is working primarily on providing a strong foundation to build a lasting legacy with a simplified, reliable car to take to competition. We are well into our second term and lots of progress has been made so far, testing has been done, manufacturing is underway and most importantly, the team is having fun doing it.
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Design Review On Friday the 10th, the team presented the designs and projects that are being worked on this year on the car. We would like to thank everyone who attended. A special thank you to representatives from MPM for attending, as well as previous members of the team and faculty. We have gained much from the feedback we received, especially in terms of what to look out for regarding team management, manufacturing and what to expect at competition.
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Chassis Manufacturing Manufacture of the F18 chassis has been undertaken entirely inhouse this year using a newly purchased tube profiler and tube bender. This gives the chassis team direct control of the entire process from design concept to final design and allows us to make adjustments without long lead times or costs. As of February 2017 the front end and cockpit of the chassis has been welded and is in the workshop as the suspension, driveline and engine teams are busy positioning components for final assembly and completion of the rear end. Utilising a simplified design has allowed the team to start construction earlier than usual with the aim being to have a rolling chassis by the end of March so testing can take place.
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Testing Day The team has taken the Gryphon One (F17) out for testing on February 16th. With the cooperation of RACo (The Real Aeroplane Company) the team was able to test the car’s performance in the Acceleration Event, in which the car accelerates over a 75m track from a standing start. In addition to this, several tests such as the Skidpad, brake test and exhaust noise measurement were performed, many of which incorporated the use of the myRIO that has been installed on the car thanks to the DAQ team. A significant portion of the data acquired will go towards the team members’ academic projects.
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Our Region’s Formula Student Teams Showcase Leeds Formula Race Team hosted the IMechE Yorkshire Formula Student Showcase on the 1st of March. SUN Racing, Sheffield Formula Racing, Team HARE and HUFS all attended. The teams showed off cars from previous years, before presenting updates on their
designs
for
the
2017
competition. The event allowed the teams to see some of the different design solutions that can be implemented, as well as getting advice on problems that others
have
previously
encountered.
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Team Apparel The team has received new apparel for the year, supplied by involution. Individual photos of each team member were taken in addition to a team photo, which can be seen on the front cover of the newsletter.
Spen Bearings We would like to thank Spen Bearings for the continued sponsorship of the Leeds Formula Race Team this year. Spen Bearings is a Yorkshire bearing and oilseal specialist founded in 1968 and their support of the team is invaluable.
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RS Components Components
from
RS
have started to arrive, and we would like to thank
RS
for
continuation
of
their the
sponsorship of the Leeds Formula
Student Race
Team this year.
ROCOL Partnership The Leeds Formula Race Team is pleased to announce that it is continuing its partnership with ROCOL, a developer and manufacturer of industrial lubricants based in Leeds. The team is looking forward to gain from ROCOL’s aid in lubrication and expertise.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
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