BA Engineering is the new FS-team of the University of Cooperative Education Stuttgart. A group of students who study different subjects came together sharing the same passion for motor-sport.
Even though we had no experience building racing cars, we accepted the challenge to construct a well designed and reliable vehicle.
The aim, of course, is to present a convincing performance at the dynamic events, especially to stand the endurance race.
Therefore many days and weeks were spent working with the CAD software CATIA V5 to design the different parts of the car, MATLAB was employed for several general calculations and special kinematic/dynamic simulations for example for the suspension were made in Adams.
The project became more and more dynamic when the first parts were manufactured and assembled. Partly before our sponsors' expert's eyes, partly with the machines that are installed in our garage.
The base of Sleek is a tubular space frame weighing 38 kg. R25B Hoosier tires are used and mounted on Formrace 7.0 x 13 wheels. The crash box is made of aluminum foam which proved extraordinary in the crash tests.
The power output of the 2004 Honda CBR 600 RR 4 cylinder engine is optimized by the integration of a knock control, a freely parametrizable engine control unit and modified pistons.
By using the ergonomically designed steering wheel the driver gets information for example about oil pressure, engine temperature and current gear. Additionally, for early recognition of defects and to assist the driver during the race, CAN2COM was used as a GSM based telemetry solution.
To pay regard to lightweight construction as well as outward appearance it was decided to make the body shell from basaltic fibre, an innovative material that provides nearly the same stiffness as aluminum or carbon while being much more cost efficient.
All in all we are convinced that the car is prepared for the purpose of race.
The unveiling of the car took place at the university itself, followed by about 300 attendees. We were proud to uncover in front of our sponsors to which result their respective contribution to SLEEK led. Teachers, family and friends shared the Team's excitement when the red cloth was slowly pulled off the car.
Having enjoyed the presentation's atmosphere we are now not only looking forward to hearing the music of the unveiling but also, if not more, looking forward to the challenging roar of the engine at its first competition at Hockenheim.
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