What's Happening with the FW10 Team:
Monday, April 26, 2010
Manufacturing Progress
A lot has been done in the last month, even with the team entering exams. Much has been completed including: brake lines, wire harness, gas tank, shear panels, overflow tanks, much more. The big news of the last month is that the chassis has been painted.The body has also been layed up and will soon be out to paint. The team would especially like to thank Francis Kennette for all the assistance as well as the use of his shop with regard to the body. Without his help we would not have been able to produce a body in time.
Monday, March 29, 2010
AUTO21 Support
The team is proud to announce that AUTO21 will be providing a generous contribution in support of our quest for success at the Michigan competition in May.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Manufacturing Progress
With the outstanding support of McLaren Performance Technologies, the rapid-prototyped intake has been completed, flow tested and is back in the Formula Windsor shop. The parts look fantastic and the team is truly gracious for the tremendous support provided by McLaren. Watch for pictures on the team website as well as in the upcoming release of the team’s March Newsletter.
The exhaust manifold is coming together very quickly and looks fantastic! We will try to have some images posted in the short term, but at the moment the primaries are near complete. The bell cranks are also ready to go and final suspension tabbing has begun. No binding exists through the full range of motion so with a little luck coupled with sound engineering decisions, the team is optimistic that things will continue to go smoothly.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
BBQ Success & 29 Park Night
Despite rainy cold weather, today’s BBQ fundraiser was a tremendous success. Special thanks to all who visited for a hot dog, hamburger or just to see the 2008 car!
Our next fundraiser will be held on Friday, April 9 at 10:00pm at the 29 Park night club. Come on out and support the team!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
More Components & BBQ Invitation
Many thanks to Fastenal for their generous contribution of hardware to the 2010 University of Windsor Formula SAE, Baja SAE and Aero Design programs. The brake system is finally nearing completion as our calipers and pads have arrived courtesy of a partnership with Wilwood Engineering. The new steering wheel has also arrived and a 6-point safety harness is due to arrive from Simpson within days.
On Thursday, March 25 (from 10:00am-4:00pm) the team will be holding a fundraising BBQ in front of the CAW Student Center. We look forward to meeting students and faculty from all aspects of the university community at the BBQ. Watch for the 2008 car to be there on display!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Manufacturing Update
The uprights, hubs, brake rotors, differential mounts, transfer shaft, half shafts and a host of other components have been completed. The carbon fiber seat, fan shroud and clutch lever have returned, with special recognition going to Holwin Tooling for their assistance with the lay-up process. Driver ergonomics are coming together as the steering column, seat, pedals and brake master cylinders have been mounted. The rear hubs, half shafts, and other drivetrain components are currently being splined in a combined effort between Urgent EDM and the university machine shop.
The components are really starting to come in quickly and the shop will become an even greater flurry of activity in the days and weeks to come. In the meantime, keep checking in for additional progress updates as the team moves closer to having a rolling chassis.
SAE Project Teams in the Windsor Star
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The University of Windsor Formula, Baja, and Aero Design SAE projects were featured on the inside cover of Saturday's Windsor Star. Special thanks to journalist Amanda Reid and the entire team at the Windsor Star for assisting the teams with their pursuit for funding in 2010. The digital version can be viewed here.
Manufacturing Update
Friday, February 25, 2010
The control arms are now complete, as is one of the meticulously machined front uprights. The other front upright is well on its way and should be completed shortly. Foam has arrived for the body molds and has started to transform into molds for the nose cone and side-pods. The impact attenuator returned today from CAPE Testing with nothing but positive results to show. Although the team learned some interesting things from the test, the results more than validated our design for use on FW10.
Bake Sale & Car Display
Thursday, February 24, 2010
The team held a tremendous bake sale in the CAW Student Center today. Special thanks to all members of the university community who stopped by to buy baked goods, see FW08 on display and watch videos of previous competitions and events. Stay tuned for an upcoming BBQ at the end of March. We look forward to seeing you all there!
Shock Dyno Testing
Monday, February 21, 2010
The suspension team took advantage of a university holiday last Friday to visit V2 Motorsports in Macomb, Michigan and get some much anticipated time on the shock dyno. This marks the first time in Formula Windsor history that the shocks have been charted and work advanced on tuning them properly for competition.
Manufacturing Update
February 18, 2010
Activity is ramping up at CARE and Essex Hall as components start to come together and get added to FW10. The floor panels are in, the radiator has been mounted and control arm fabrication will be complete by the end of the week. The steering rack will soon be in place and body molds are also beginning to come together.
In addition to the on-going work on campus, many community partners have been eager to lend a hand. Special recognition goes to Omni Tool Ltd. who has graciously donated its time to assist with machining of the differential mounts. It is support such as this that will propel the team to success.
Donor Recognition: Canadian Laser and Manor Tool & Die
February 16, 2010
Special thanks to Canadian Laser and Manor Tool & Die for their assistance with manufacturing the brake rotors and hubs, respectively. Both organizations are long time supporters of the Formula Windsor program, and we are proud to continue these partnerships in 2010.
Impact Attenuator Testing in Indianapolis (CAPE Testing Services)
February 12, 2010
The 2010 Windsor Formula SAE team is proud to announce a continued partnership with CAPE Testing Services in Indianapolis, Indiana. CAPE will be working closely with Chassis Team Leader, Liem Pham, to perform a sled test with the impact attenuator in order to validate safe deceleration of the 2010 vehicle.
Honda Canada Continues Support of Lancer Motorsports
February 8, 2010
The Honda Canada Foundation will continue to support the University of Windsor Formula SAE team in 2010. Honda Canada is currently our longest running partner and a tremendous supporter of the program.
The team has switched this year from the discontinued Honda CBR600F4i engine to the newer CBR600RR model. Given the success enjoyed over six years with the F4i engine, the team is excited to continue with a Honda power plant and looks forward to representing Honda and all of our donors well at the Michigan FSAE Competition in May.
General Update
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The team spent the past week meeting and greeting the public at the NAIAS spreading the word about the Formula and Baja SAE design series. Work in the C.A.R.E shop continues and is also starting to intensify as more people are begining to build their parts for the 2010 vehicle.
NAIAS
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Baja and Formual teams will be putting the cars on display at the North American International Auto show during the public show from January 16th to the 24th. We will be in Michigan hall on the lower levels, so drop by and say hi.
Overall Update
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The team returns from the Christmas holidays well rested for the challenging schedule ahead.It is our hope that all outstanding desing work be completed late this week into early next week. On the manufacturing side, the engine mounts are complete and the suspension tabs are slowly nearning completion. Our fundraising efforts also continue with two this month. On Friday the 8th, we have our fundraiser at 29 Park where the $5 cover goes to the team before midnight. Also coming up is our dinner at On The Avenue on Saturday the 16th. For more information regarding either events, please refer to the events page.
Holiday Wishes
December 23, 2009
The 2010 Formula Team wishes all the best to everyone over the holiday season and into the New Year.
Manufacturing Update
Thursday Dec 17, 2009
The chassis is complete and the mounting of the suspension tabs is ongoing. Fabrication of suspension components has also begun. The team is actively sourcing material and machining partners for many other components, and will continue to do so into 2010. If you or your organization would be interested in assisting the 2010 Formula SAE team, please find further information on our donor page.
Chassis Update
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The chassis is nearing completion. Many thanks to Sean Maloney and Mike Barkey for their hard work at the C.A.R.E. shop as well as at Centerline.
Manufacturing Update
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
As Remembrance Day is celebrated across Canada today, we want to take a moment to recognize the brave contributions of men and women past, present, and future who have made tremendous sacrifices in pursuit of peace and freedom for all of humanity. Today also marks an exciting day for FW10 as our chassis tubes have all been bent and returned to the CARE shop. Special thanks to Bear's Performance in Oldcastle, Ontario and Stam Inc. in Mentor, Ohio for their generous support bending tubes for the new chassis. The team will be working day and night between the CARE shop at the University of Windsor and Centerline (Windsor) Ltd. in order to cut and fishmouth all of the remaining chassis tubes in preparation for assembly early next week.
SEMA Show 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
James Finch, FW10 Team Captain, recently returned from the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. As the premier trade show for the automotive aftermarket industry, SEMA allowed James the opportunity to meet with industry leaders and representatives for over 2,000 organizations from across the United States and around the world. Many of these companies are strong supporters of the Formula SAE program and were excited to discuss the synergies that may exist between our university and the products or services provided by their respective organizations. As further testament to the strength of Formula SAE around the world, it was amazing to see the number of FSAE alumni working for some of the most respected companies in the industry.
Windsor Lancers Basketball Night & 29 Park
Friday, November 6, 2009
The team was proud to display the car in the St. Denis Center Fieldhouse for the duration of the Windsor Lancers men's and women's basketball games this evening. Team members were on hand to field questions and take pictures of spectators eager to sit in the car. The President of the University of Windsor, Dr. Alan Wildeman, even stopped by to show his support and take the opportunity to have his picture taken in the car. Special thanks to Lancer Athletics for their support and assistance in coordinating this event. We look forward to working with them again in the future.
Automotive Testing Expo North America 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Our Team Captain spent part of the day today at the Automotive Testing Expo in Novi, Michigan. He had the opportunity to meet with many excellent industry contacts who are more than eager to assist with testing and development of our 2010 car. Look for many of these organizations to be recognized on our donor page in the near future as their generous support is certain to make a tremendous difference as FW10 comes to fruition.
FSAE workshop at Wayne State University
Saturday October 26, 2009
The team attended the FSAE workshop at Wayne State University. The team learned a lot from the workshop about the running of the 2010 competition, as well as the many different documents required to submit for the competition.
Chair of SAE Central Ontario Visits the Formula Windsor Facility
Friday, October 25, 2009
The 2010 Formula SAE Team welcomed John Flanagan, Chair of the SAE Central Ontario Section, to the University of Windsor Center for Automotive Research and Education (CARE) for a tour of the team's facilities. The team also gave John a sneak preview of the design for FW10. We were fortunate to have the Baja SAE and Aero Design teams present as John invited us all to work towards revitalizing the SAE Southwestern Ontario Section. We look forward to working closely with John and the SAE Central Ontario Section as the year progresses and were more than pleased to have had him take the time to personally visit our facility. We also had the pleasure of working with him at the Formula SAE Workshop at Wayne State University the following day.
Fall Convocation 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The team had FW07 and FW08 on display during the reception following Fall Convocation ceremonies at the nearby St. Denis Centre. The cars attracted a lot of attention as the shop was transformed into a banquet facility for a hot lunch, dessert and champagne. Photos from the event are displayed below.
Herman Secondary School Car Show
Friday, October 9, 2009
Despite persistent heavy rains throughout the day, the Windsor Formula SAE and Baja SAE teams traveled to Herman Secondary School’s annual car show to ensure that our first high school outreach event of the year was a success. With the help of some eager high school students the team unloaded the car in the pouring rain and set-up in the school’s automotive shop. The school district had an interesting piece of their own as they displayed two car front halves that had been welded together to create a vehicle that can drive and steer in either direction.
Engine Failure Update
Friday, October 2, 2009
Following a catastrophic engine failure at Mosport International Raceway in late September, the team pulled the motor from FW08 and tore it down to reveal a not so pretty sight. It was determined that we dropped two valves likely due to worn or improperly installed valve retainers. Heavy damage to the head, piston and cylinder walls can be seen in the photos below. Fortunately 2009 marks the end of the CBR600 F4i engine program for Lancer Motorsports, so the engine failure does not adversely affect our plans for 2010.
Oct 5-9, 2009
More design work is being done.
Sept 28-Oct 2, 2009
The mock chassis has been completed as well as a cardboard box engine. From this mock chassis, slight revisions have been decided to be made to the front end to better fit the forward cockpit template. The engine from the 08 car has been removed so as to inspect the cause of failure at the U of T Shootout. The 07 engine has been removed so as to transplant it into the 08 car for more driver training as the weather still permits us to.
Sept 26, 2009
The team took the 2008 car to the University of Toronto's annual Shoot Out at Mosport Internation Raceway. We were there bright and early, minus a few who were stuck in an elevator for some time. The day started off a little slow, however it perked up quite a bit as the day moved on. The day was also a great experience and practice for some of our drivers, but midday troubles with the engine caused us to pack up for the day. Bringing the car back to the trailer, we found that something internal to the cylinder head is what caused our problems. Some believed it could have been the piston rod, some the valves, either way, it cause serious trouble with with engine. So much trouble in fact that this is what was left of the spark plug we removed.
Having felt the need to try and do something to make the engine start working again, Ian Wong made good use of the first aid kit.
It was a valiant attempt to bring the team out of ruin, but allas, it did not work. Because of this, only two of our four drivers were able to get in practice during the day. This was disappointing to the team, but it did not stop us from enjoying the rest of the day. With the assistance of Edward Llorca, we were able to take many spectacular photos throught out the day of not only our team, but all teams that participated.
For more images please go to the Gallery page.
Sept 21-25, 2009
The team is preparing our drivers as well as the car for the upcoming U of T Shootout on Sept 26, 2009.