Archived News
Wednesday January 27th, 2010
This past monday, the team traveled to Custom Composite Technologies in Bath, ME to meet with Steve Hassett. The belly pan of the frame was molded using Carbon Fiber, with the cockpit belly pan using a foam core for added strength and stiffness. The seat was also molded, and should be ready for mounting in the car as early as next week.
Whelen Engineering has agreed to laser cut most of the subcomponents of the car, as well as powder coat the suspension control arms and the frame.
Check out the Photos from the winter break work.
Saturday December 19th, 2009
The team has finalized the design of Car 39! The model was finished 30 minutes prior to our 6:00pm deadline. The car looks awesome! Now, on to a great night out.
Monday November 30th, 2009
We are currently in the test and build phase. Testing will begin on the Impact Attenuators, courtesy of Active Shock, Inc. The powertrain team will be flow testing multiple intake plenum designs, and the frame team will be experimenting with the dynamic response of the past years frame.
Wednesday November 25th, 2009
After the break, the rest of the front tubes will be cut and welded together.
Have a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving!
Wednesday November 18th, 2009
More winners of our calendar raffle have been chosen!
The winners are:
Greg Gerhardt
Jeff Carr
May-Win Thein
Leslie Gerhardt
Kate Gagnon
Mike Gildersleeve
Wednesday November 11th, 2009
The winners are:
Bob Kraft
Stan Sharples
Cody Suttons
Susan Schettini
Kate Gagnon
Scott Hiland
Kathy Reynolds
Anna Greece
Wednesday November 4th, 2009
The first few winners of our calendar raffle have been chosen! We thank everyone who helped support our team by purchasing a ticket. This fundraiser has helped raise much needed funding for our team.
The winners are:
Mileva Loo
Jay Madnick
Keep checking back daily to see if you are our next winner!
Also, take a look at the Car Overview page for this year's Car 39 Specs!
Tuesday November 3rd, 2009
The first testing day of the season was scheduled for last saturday. It was a beautiful day, partly cloudy, plenty of sunshine and 70° weather. The team built a new intake for Car 86 and re-tuned the car. The motor runs great and it sounds better than ever.
Unfortunately, as soon as the driver let out the clutch the chain broke. After careful inspection, we found that the master link holding the chain together had sheared apart, prematurely ending our testing session. We hope to schedule a much needed testing day within the next few weeks.
Items to be tested include:
- Different spring rates
- Multiple suspension setups
- Carbon fiber pull rod
- New air intake design
- Larger rear axle sprocket
- Smaller engine sprocket
The larger sprocket will fit into the rear of the frame with some modifications. The rear frame members must be cut in order to let the larger sprocket move freely. A supporting member will be welded in place with extra plating to ensure proper strength and stiffness. The placement of the differential will not have a drastic affect on the angle of the drive axles.
To see more images, please check out our new uploads on our Photos page.
The deadline for the complete front suspension model was last friday. It was the third deadline met on time this year by our team. The next deadline is December 11th, when the complete rear model of the suspension is due.
Along with the front suspension, the frame model is almost complete. Right now, the team is waiting on specs for our solid axle design in the rear.
So far, the team has dropped almost 27 pounds off of the car. The frame is much lighter, as is the drivetrain, impact attenuator, seat, and suspension components. The team is very close to meeting the 480 lb goal this year.
The team would like to acknowledge the support of this years sponsors:
Tucker Engineering
Whelen Engineering
UNH Mechanical Engineering Department
Todd Gross
May-Win Thein
Pratt & Whitney
CEPS Dean's Office
Cobham
DEKA R&D
Cannon Mountain
We are still actively pursuing team sponsors. If you would like to help support the team in any way, whether a monetary donation, advice, components, or a donation for a raffle, please contact us.
Thursday October 8th, 2009
The team registered for competition on October 5th, and after almost an hour of waiting, we became Car #39!! We are very excited to be registered for competition and we are looking forward to the trip.
Testing has been performed on the CF pull-rod specimen, and the structural epoxy held up to its performance specs. Over the weekend, a full-size pull-rod was built to test on Car #86.
A track day is scheduled at NHMS to test different spring rates, tires, suspension settings, and the pull-rod. We will also be getting some very valuable seat time.
A PVC mock-up of the front structure of the frame has been built and is being checked over for driver ergonomics and packaging constraints. The current model has a staggering weight loss of 9 lbs compared to car #86. That meets the 10% weight reduction goal set for each subgroup at the beginning of the summer.
The front suspension points have also been finalized, which is the earliest our team has ever had them. An upright has been designed in Solidworks and is close to being analyzed using FEA.
The engine has been disassembled and the crank shaft is about to go out for knife edging. Soon, the 4th, 5th, and 6th transmission gears will be removed to decrease the static weight of the motor, as well as reducing the rotational mass on the transmission. The powertrain team is also considering using a planetary gearset in place of a differential to allow for better ratios and a smaller sprocket.
Team t-shirts also came in this week and they look phenomenal! They are priced at $15/ea. We can provide any size shirt. For information on purchasing one, please email us @ unh.fsae@gmail.com.
The team is also selling Cash Calendars for the second year in a row to help with fundraising. The raffle idea combines a calendar sale with a chance at winning a prize. Each calendar purchase includes a raffle ticket for a prize drawing for a certain amount of cash on each day of November. The calendar's are $10/ea. If you are interested in participating in the raffle and winning some prizes, please email us @ unh.fsae@gmail.com.
Monday August 31st, 2009
The school year has begun and classes are now in session. The team is still very busy designing the car. The carbon fiber test specimen is machined and ready to test on the school's loadcell. The motor is being disassembled, the intake manifolds are in the design stage, and the header material is almost in. The chassis is being modeled in Solidworks and will be analyzed soon.
Tucker Engineering, Cobham DTC, Whelen Engineering, and DEKA R&D have all rejoined our team this year and we are glad to have them! We are also glad to recognize CFdesign as our new CFD and Thermal software partner.
Thursday July 30th, 2009
Now that the velocity stacks are machined, the swaged runners are being machined down to the correct size for out test manifold.
The 2010 Summer Sponsorship Package has been uploaded to our website and can be found on the Sponsorship Information page.
Wednesday July 22nd, 2009
Also, the team is currently building a set of Carbon Fiber control arms to test on car #86.
Saturday June 27th, 2009
Photos of the 2009 Competition have been
added to our website. The 2010 team has met numerous times over the
past month and have set team goals for our 7th season. The team has
begun designing the suspension, frame, and powertrain of the car hoping
to have a working model by September.
Monday May 18th, 2009
The team has just finished it's sixth Formula SAE competition out in
Brooklyn, MI and placed 41st
out of 120
registered teams. The team did very well, finishing every event. This
is only the second time in the team's history that we have finished
every event.
Event and Placement:
Overall:
41st
Design:
62nd
Marketing Presentation:
26th
Cost and Manufacturing:
56th
Acceleration:
61st
Skidpad:
52nd
Autocross:
29th
Endurance:
23rd
Fuel Economy:
36th
The 2010 team is beginning to take shape and there is a lot of work planned for the summer!
Monday April 27th, 2009
A few videos have been added to the website. The count down has started. We leave for competition in 13 days!
Friday April 24th, 2009
The 2009 UNH Formula SAE was officially unveiling at the Undergraduate Research Conference on April 22nd. The team has put in a ton of time and effort and the car looks amazing. In addition to unveiling the car, the team also took home first place in the URC for the mechanical engineering projects! Check out the event coverage in The New Hampshire, the University’s newspaper, and also on FStotal.com.
Saturday April 18th, 2009
Earlier today the team participated in its first official track day of the season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The purpose of this track day was to test the critical systems on the car and start looking at potential drivers for competition. After a few rough laps the car spun out and the torque from the engine pulled on the bearing blocks which caused the mounts to deform. The differential and sprocket moved closer to the engine, creating slack in the chain. The team is currently evaluating the damage and redesigning the bearing blocks. Luckily, we were able to test the car with enough time before competition to find the problem and devise a solution. Despite the setback, the car will still be ready for the unveiling later this week.
Wednesday April 15th, 2009
After dyno tuning yesterday, Car 86 is ready to go! The critical systems have been tested and the team is ready for its first track day this weekend. Take a look at the car driving for the first time. The March newsletter has been posted along with some new photos, but none of the completed car. The 2009 UNH Precision Racing car will be unveiled at the Undergraduate Research Conference on April 22nd, 2009 at 11:00am in Kingsbury Hall.
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
The new mill and lathe have arrived! Both are set-up in our project space in Kingsbury Hall. Thank you UNH Parent's Association!
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
The new February newsletter has been posted as well as updated photos. With spring break coming up next week, check back soon for more updates!
Monday, March 9th, 2009
A new bench top lathe and mill are on the way for UNH Precision Racing. In January the team submitted a proposal to the UNH Parent's Association and they have been granted funding for two new machines and the tooling to go with them. Not only will we be able to use the machines in the project room, but we will also be taking them to competition with us in May.
Thursday, February 26th, 2009
Car 86 is now rolling! This is the first time in the team's history that we have had a rolling chassis this early in the season. The team has worked very hard for this and would like to thank our generous sponsors! Take a look!
Saturday, February 14th, 2009
Work in the shop continues and the team is putting in long days. All of the progress is putting us in a good position for the rolling chassis deadline at the end of the month. Check out January newsletter for more updates and the Sponsor Page for all our new sponsors this year.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Classes are now back in session and the team is back from winter break. A lot has been going on in our shop lately. The deadline for having a rolling chassis is fast approaching and the car is taking shape. The main suspension and controls components have been CNC'd and the frame is complete. The engine is being tuned on the dyno and soon will be back in the frame. The body is also coming along nicely. The car specs are now available on the Car Overview page. Our Team History page is now fully updated, so take a look into our past. Also, take a peak on our live feed to see the team working hard in the shop!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
After a long break, we finally have access to the website again! Take a look at the new sponsors page, new team members, and new photos. While the website may have been down for a little while, the team has definitely been busy. Check back for updates often as we have a lot exciting things going on this semester.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Well spring is officially here and Car #36 is taking shape. The March newsletter has been posted! You can also check out a live feed from the project room!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The UNH Precision Racing's 2008 racecar is taking shape. December and February's newsletter's have been posted to the newsletter section. Check them out for more details!
Monday, November 1, 2007
UNH Precision Racing has hit the ground running this school year in preparation for next May’s Formula SAE competition. Already this fall, the team has been active in gathering support and interest for the program. The team was busy getting its name out at the university and in the community with a series of events over the UNH homecoming weekend. The team participated in the homecoming parade with lat year’s car, Car 42, leading a contingent of team members down Durham’s Main Street. UNH Precision Racing also set up a booth at the homecoming football game, where team members were on hand to answer questions and talk about the program. The car was also present, and community members were invited to take a seat in Car 42 and get their picture taken. But Car 42 hasn’t just been used in parades and displays, as the team has held three track days this fall. On September 23, team members from the class of 2007 were invited to drive the car at Rockingham Park in Salem. Another event was held on October 21 for both current and new team members. UNH Precision Racing finished off their fall track schedule on October 28 with a track day for sponsors at the New Hampshire International Speedway. The team now looks ahead to this year program, as design work on the car has already begun. The team plans on building on the success of last year’s efforts and a strong finish at competition is expected come May 2008.
The UNH Precision Racing Team held a successful sponsor track day on Sunday, October 28 at New Hampshire International Speedway. The team brought Car 42, their entry in last May’s Formula SAE competition, to run demonstration laps for sponsors, as well as to familiarize new team members with the operation and capabilities of an FSAE car. The speedway generously allowed use of their autocross pad for the demonstration runs, and the steady wind and chilly temperatures at the track did not deter sponsors and past team members from attending the event. UNH Manchester sophomore Scott Highland, a veteran of karting and Formula Ford competition, was on hand to drive the demonstration laps. After a warm-up and a quick battery change, Car 42 performed flawlessly during two demonstrations for sponsors on the cone-lined autocross course. After the runs, a lunch was followed by a discussion led by Managerial Team Captain Brandon Courcy, who covered the goals for this year’s team. After the sponsors’ event concluded, the team continued running laps on the course, with team members taking turns behind the wheel of Car 42. The car was eventually returned to the trailer with a gearbox issue, but the day was nevertheless considered a success. The UNH Precision Racing Team would like to thank all the sponsors who support the team, and Precision Racing looks forward to continued success this year in the Formula SAE competition.
Monday, October 1, 2007
With UNH Precision Racing's 5th season well underway, there have been several updates to the website including new photo postings as well as updated information from this years team!
September's newsletter has also been issued.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Now that a new season has begun, the leadership rolls have been passed on to the upcoming seniors and we are ready to get going on next year's car. We have held weekly team meetings since competition to start research, design, and fabrication. By starting over the summer, we plan to begin fabrication earlier and allow more time for testing in the spring. We have also added a junior co-captain position to help the transition from year to year. This co-captain is like a shadow to the current captains. This person will learn the ropes early, so when they are seniors they can get right on track.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
With one week left UNH Precision Racing is getting ready for competition in Michigan! The last month has been a hectic one, with final fitment and adjustment of parts as well as the final engine tune completed, UNH Precision Racing is ready to head to the proving grounds.
Monday, February 12, 2007
The team has made some significant progress over the past few weeks, and a new newsletter should be posted shortly!
There have been quite a few updates to the website, including past team and racecar listings, as well as an updated photo gallery, with new photos!
Friday, January 12, 2007
A few updated photos have been posted in the photo section of the website!
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
The October Edition of the team newsletter is now available in the newsletter section. There have been various website updates since the last news post. Including updated member bios, as well as track day locations, and more!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
UNH FSAE Precision Racing held a kart day at Rockingham Park in Salem last weekend to give the underclassman members an introductory course on racecar dynamics and track navigation. The day was an overall success.
The website has had several minor updates since the last news posting, including the 2006/2007 Team Sponsor Packet. If you, your company, or someone you know is interested in donating to or sponsoring the 2006/2007 race team please read/forward the packet or contact Brandon Bell at rbbell@cisunix.unh.edu.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Last weekend UNH FSAE Precision Racing held a track day at New Hampshire International Speedway to demonstrate Car #49's abilities to both past and current sponsors. The event was a great success and the UNH FSAE Precision Racing team would like to thank all the sponsors and supporters that came out and spent the day with us. A short video has been put together with highlights from the event and is available in the video section.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
The website is currently being updated with the most recent news and information. Please check back often as the website will soon be complete!