Bradley FSAE 2013
The Bradley University Formula SAE Team is made up of
eleven senior undergraduate Mechanical Engineering students working towards
completion of their senior design project requirements. This is how the
program has been traditionally run since the university’s first entry in
1997. The work is divided among three teams of four students. The Engine
and Drivetrain Team focuses on delivering power
to the wheels. The Suspension and Controls Team designs and fabricates the
suspension, steering, and braking systems. The Frame and Ergonomics Team
works to design and build the frame as well as the cockpit and body panels.
One faculty member serves as an advisor to all three teams and another
represents Bradley University as a client.
A tight budget is always imposed on the Bradley University FSAE Team.
This year, the university has set the budget at $8,000. Donations are
critical to the success of the team and without sponsors, the car could not
be completed. Time constraints are also a large factor in the design of the
vehicle. Each year, the team consists of a new group of seniors. Between
August and May, the team must research automotive design, complete the
design of the car, fabricate and purchase components, assemble the car, and
test and tune for competition. These time and budget constraints as well as
the small team size are meant to simulate work as an engineer in industry
and present a difficult challenge for FSAE team members.
The Formula SAE program at Bradley University allows students to work on a
project that is in their area of interest, while incorporating material
learned in previous classes and applying their acquired knowledge in an
industry like environment with deadlines, budgets and ethics. The project
client and advisor is Dr. Martin Morris.
Bradley's SAE chapter allocates members interested in the FSAE project to
aid and get involved with the project. This serves the purpose of further
preparing the underclassmen for a engineering career environment, in
addition to allowing them to apply material being covered in their classes,
and fueling their interest in the engineering curriculum.
Individual Teams are emphasized upon in their links. For more information
about the team visit the "About Us" link at the top of the page.
