Bruin Racing Baja SAE
Bruin Racing Baja SAE
Embedded Files
I joined Baja in September 2021 as a chassis member and I am now the Chassis lead for the 2022/23 design cycle. Through this experience I have become a reliable teammate, leader, and engineer. I have become extremely proficient in Solidworks, FEA, project management, and have learned how to adapt quickly to any situation. This was the first year we fully manufactured our chassis in-house meaning I had to learn how to design a manufacturing friendly chassis, while not compromising on performance. I had to source all materials, learn skills such as tube bending and notching, and improve our testing and analysis projects (explore LS-DYNA, robust strain gage DAQ).
Chassis Design
upper: model 21/22 | lower: model 22/23
upper: model 21/22 | lower: model 22/23
Simpler design; DFM
Larger footbox volume
Fewer tubes; weight: 58lbs
Driver area ergonomic design; bend in side tube is positioned at driver's knee, maximizing comfortability
More serviceable fuel tank area while accommodating new, larger engine
Model 22 frontal crash & shock tab FEA
Conducted in depth structural analysis on our frame
Preventative measure in response to shock mounting failure in previous year
Completed chassis frame along with tacked tabs and suspension components
Despite having to face unknown obstacle in manufacturing the chassis in house for the first time in club history, we successfully accomplished our main objective
Chassis Manufacturing
Chassis Manufacturing
Initial tube bending testing
Sourced 4130 steel & tube bender
Wrinkling was an issue, forcing us to use thicker tubing
Had to account for spring back by taking experimental data
Custom tube profile jig system
Developed system to easily allow us to trace notch profiles onto tubes
Planar sides keep notches on opposing ends of a tube correctly aligned
Custom chassis jig
Designed and outsourced chassis welding jig
Performed under pressure (3 weeks design to pick-up) as our timeline was very tight
Carbon fiber panel lay up
Design and manufacture all carbon fiber body panels in house
Begun hardness testing on our composites for complete engineering understanding
Strain Gage DAQ
Strain Gage DAQ
My new member project
Rudimentary strain gage calibration set up
Allowed us to successfully collect real stress data for the first time in club history
Improved calibration process
Improved strain gage application process
Strengthened electronic wiring connections
Utilized Instron for higher loads corresponding to real world scenarios
Leadership/Administration
Leadership/Administration
Planned field trip to have committed members of our club learn to weld from professionals
Provide training to new members with valuable skills
Facilitated the process of gaining welding permission; first student club to gain such access at UCLA
Provided written documentation and safety overview training template
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse