Formula Student Race Car Drivetrain - Optimized for Performance

Michael Marcos

1

Design Engineer

Industrial Designer

3D Modeler

SolidWorks

Challenge: Designing a High-Performance & Reliable Drivetrain for Formula Student Race Car

Formula Student is a demanding engineering competition where drivetrain performance and reliability are paramount. The challenge was to design a drivetrain for a single-seater race car that could withstand extreme loads, deliver maximum power to the wheels, and operate flawlessly under demanding race conditions. This required a design that was not only lightweight and efficient but also robust and thoroughly validated for structural integrity and dynamic behavior.

Solution: Integrated FEA & Motion Simulation in SolidWorks for Drivetrain Optimization

To meet the rigorous demands of Formula Student, I employed a comprehensive simulation-driven design approach using SolidWorks:
• Chain Sprocket Stress Analysis (FEA): A detailed Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performed on the chain sprocket to:
• Determine stress distribution under peak load conditions, considering chain tension and torque.
• Identify areas of high stress concentration and potential failure points.
• Validate the sprocket design for structural integrity and ensure it could withstand the expected loads without failure.
• Optimize sprocket geometry (if iterations were done) to minimize stress and maximize strength-to-weight ratio.
• Chain and Sprocket Motion Simulation: A dynamic motion simulation of the chain and sprocket assembly was created to:
• Visualize the dynamic behavior of the drivetrain components under realistic operating conditions.
• Analyze chain and sprocket interaction and identify potential issues like chain slip, excessive vibration, or interference.
• Validate the drivetrain kinematics and ensure smooth and efficient power transmission.
• Create a visually compelling animation to showcase the functionality and dynamics of the drivetrain system.

Key Deliverables & Visualizations:

This project effectively demonstrates a simulation-driven approach to drivetrain design through a combination of static stress analysis and dynamic motion visualization:
Image 1: Formula Student Drivetrain - Design Overview
Description: An image showcasing the drivetrain system designed for the Formula Student race car. This provides context for the project and highlights the application of the stress analysis and motion simulation to a real-world, high-performance engineering challenge.
Formula student Chain Drive
Formula student Chain Drive
Image 2: Chain Sprocket Stress Analysis (Von Mises Stress)
Description: A contour plot visualizing the Von Mises stress distribution on the Chain Sprocket under peak load during operation. This image clearly highlights the stress levels and demonstrates the FEA validation of the sprocket's structural integrity under demanding conditions.
Chain Sprocket Stress Analysis
Chain Sprocket Stress Analysis
Video 1: Chain and Sprocket Motion Animation
Description: A dynamic animation showcasing the motion of the Chain and Sprocket assembly. This video vividly illustrates the drivetrain's functionality, the interaction between the chain and sprocket, and the smooth power transmission designed for high-performance racing.
Chain and Sprocket Motion Animation

Skills Utilized:

✅ Finite Element Analysis (FEA) - Structural Analysis
✅ Motion Simulation & Kinematics
✅ SolidWorks Simulation (Static Analysis & Motion)
✅ Drivetrain Design & Engineering
✅ Chain & Sprocket System Design
✅ High-Performance Mechanical Design
✅ Engineering Analysis & Validation
✅ Data Visualization & Interpretation
✅ Formula Student Experience (Implied)

Tools Used:

Software: SolidWorks Simulation (Static Analysis, Motion Simulation), SolidWorks (CAD Modeling)

Why This Project Matters:

This Formula Student Race Car Drivetrain project powerfully demonstrates my capabilities to deliver high-impact engineering solutions for clients seeking:
• High-Performance Mechanical Design: Expertise in designing for demanding applications where performance and reliability are critical.
• Simulation-Driven Design Optimization: Proven ability to leverage FEA and Motion Simulation for design validation and performance enhancement.
• Drivetrain & Power Transmission System Expertise: Specific experience in designing and analyzing drivetrain components like chain and sprocket systems.
• Experience in a Demanding Engineering Environment: Formula Student is a rigorous competition, showcasing my ability to work under pressure and deliver results in challenging projects.
• Visually Compelling Communication: Clear and impactful visualizations (stress plots, motion animations) to communicate complex engineering analysis effectively.
This project listing positions you as a highly capable engineer with experience in demanding, performance-critical applications, making it very attractive to clients in industries like automotive, aerospace, robotics, and specialized machinery where high-performance and reliability are key requirements.
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Posted Feb 18, 2025

Formula Student Race Car Drivetrain Project. Optimized for performance and reliability using FEA stress analysis and motion simulation in SolidWorks.

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Design Engineer

Industrial Designer

3D Modeler

SolidWorks

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