Bodywork workshop!

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There are some action going on in the workshop! Further improvements according to aerodynamics will be achieved by a new bodywork. This year, team HiGtech will be manufacturing everything ourselves in the workshop. The slideshow below shows two 3D-printed models of what is the new bodywork and the old. The models will be tested in a real world wind tunnel to confirm our computerized simulations.

The work to produce a new plug is already running, which is also visible in the slideshow below. First, a large number of slices are cut, then the slices are glued together and sanded. After that the plug will be used to create a mold, in which the bodywork finally will be casted.

3D-printed models of the new (to the left) and the old bodywork (to the right).
A body slice is being cut.
A large amount of slices will be cut, glued together and sanded before the mold plug is complete.

 

 

Simulations and optimizations

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The team manager and 3rd choise driver in real world chassis and virtual body lines.

The team manager in a real world chassis and a virtual body.

HiGtech are of course planning to attend at the Shell Eco Marathon 2015.

Currently we are looking at areas for improvement and have simulated several parts of Nova. Simulations will be used more frequently than before in our development activities this year.

The picture above shows an alternative to our present body. We run various prototypes in a simulated wind tunnel, which shows the magnitude of the drag force.

The engine with the surrounding parts are being optimized. The engine is soon to be connected to a test bench, in which it will be loaded and the fuel consumption will be measured.

The results

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Waiting for the results...

Waiting for the results…

Yesterday we finally completed a race! We had higher ambitions when we started this project, and was hoping to get opportunity to hit the tracks a lot more – but after all the circumstanses we are satisfied with the result of a consumption of 721,76 km/l of gasoline.

You will find all the results on this page (Choose Prototype > Gasoline): http://www.shell.com/global/environment-society/ecomarathon/events/europe/results.html/l/7vtbzw2hj2/vza7xfdyek/_/_/_/_/_

Rotterdam day 5

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A lot has happened today – first we drove the car on the small test track and once again we had problems with the ignition. We went back to the paddock and got it fixed. Then it was time to race! Everything went really well for both the car and the driver until the engine didn’t start on the eight lap.

We feared that the race would be over for us this year, but upon closer inspection, we think we can sort out the problem. Lots of tinkering is going on in the paddock and we hope to get it ready tonight so we can race tomorrow at the last race attempt.

Rotterdam day 4

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When arriving to the paddock today we had some problems with the ignition again, when the problems where solved we tried the car on the track, unfortunately we crashed the side of our car against the railing of the track. Luckily there was no physical damage to our driver, but we had to repair the body of the car.

We didn’t get everything ready for the race, but we have tested the car on a small test track. Now we are aiming to race tomorrow at 12:30.

Rotterdam day 3

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Today we passed the technical inspection. Later on we had some problems with the ignition, we found the problem that was caused by a failed trigger signal. Tomorrow morning we are going to test the car for the first time on the tracks and later on drive in the competition.

Rotterdam day 2

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We arrived to Rotterdam yesterday and have been working to get the car ready since then. Now we are almost done and are aiming for technical inspection tomorrow morning.

Engine start

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The engine is now mounted into the car and successfully started. The exhaust system is all that remains before the engine and drivetrain is ready for the race!

IMG_2058

HiG-145

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The engine HiG-145 is almost completed and will soon be mounted in the car.

Please take a look at the pictures in the slideshow below!

It’s the small parts that matters

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Hello again!

It’s been a while. Manufacturing of the engine progresses, smaller parts have been produced like valves, rockers and cam bearing holder. It may not look like much – but it’s the small parts that matters!

Cylinder head, valves and cam bearing holder.

Cylinder head, valves and cam bearing holder.

Handcrafted valves - Made with a tolerance as good as 1 Ångström! :)

Handcrafted valves – Made with a tolerance as good as 1 Ångström! :)”