Formula SAE is an international competition where students design and build open wheel race cars beginning with a blank sheet of paper. Competitions are held annually around the world.
During my four years as an undergraduate I had the opportunity to be on the team for three different cars. I began designing components like differentials and brake calipers, and was promoted to technical director by the time I was working on my second car, designing the chassis and suspensions, as well as many other components. Not only did I have the opportunity to design components, but also build them. I gained valuable experience in CNC milling, metal fabrication and did many composite layups myself.
There is a lot more to designing and building a Formula SAE car than long nights in the shop. The student-led team is also responsible for testing and developing the cars, This is probably the most important part of the process, because only in testing do you find out if your ideas worked or not. Here you have the chance to go back and improve what didn’t work well, and clarify what is complicated.
