Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• To apply engineering principles to bicycle design
• Propose and develop an individual project on one aspect of bicycle design
• Develop project skills

Content

The project will investigate the mechanical, structural and materials design considerations for the bicycle.

1. Introduction (joint sessions).

An introductory session will put the bicycle in its historical perspective and discuss the specification of various types of bicycle.

2. Mini-projects (students work individually).

Students will undertake a mini-project on one aspect of bicycle design. Mini-projects will be directed through the use of timetabled supervision. Project can be theoretical, numerical or experimental, or a mixture of all three. Discussion between students is encouraged. It is expected that students will have controlled access to laboratory facilities and technical support. Possible project ideas include:

• Optimisation on cost or performance
• Tyre rolling resistance
• Wheel design
• Aerodynamics
• Human factors
• Bearing and chain performance
• Fork and frame design
• Fatigue failure of frames and spokes
• Power matching

The project will be split into phases with corresponding reports and feedback:

• Very rough draft mini-project plan
• Literature review
• Finalised project plan
• Presentation
• Final report

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• To apply engineering principles to bicycle design
• Propose and develop an individual project on one aspect of bicycle design
• Develop project skills

Content

The project will investigate the mechanical, structural and materials design considerations for the bicycle.

1. Introduction (joint sessions).

An introductory session will put the bicycle in its historical perspective and discuss the specification of various types of bicycle.

2. Mini-projects (students work individually).

Students will undertake a mini-project on one aspect of bicycle design. Mini-projects will be directed through the use of timetabled supervision. Project can be theoretical, numerical or experimental, or a mixture of all three. Discussion between students is encouraged. It is expected that students will have controlled access to laboratory facilities and technical support. Possible project ideas include:

• Optimisation on cost or performance
• Tyre rolling resistance
• Wheel design
• Aerodynamics
• Human factors
• Bearing and chain performance
• Fork and frame design
• Fatigue failure of frames and spokes
• Power matching

The project will be split into phases with corresponding reports and feedback:

• Very rough draft mini-project plan
• Literature review
• Finalised project plan
• Presentation
• Final report

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• To apply engineering principles to bicycle design
• Propose and develop an individual project on one aspect of bicycle design
• Develop project skills

Content

The project will investigate the mechanical, structural and materials design considerations for the bicycle.

1. Introduction (joint sessions).

An introductory session will put the bicycle in its historical perspective and discuss the specification of various types of bicycle.

2. Mini-projects (students work individually).

Students will undertake a mini-project on one aspect of bicycle design. Mini-projects will be directed through the use of timetabled supervision. Project can be theoretical, numerical or experimental, or a mixture of all three. Discussion between students is encouraged. It is expected that students will have controlled access to laboratory facilities and technical support. Possible project ideas include:

• Optimisation on cost or performance
• Tyre rolling resistance
• Wheel design
• Aerodynamics
• Human factors
• Bearing and chain performance
• Fork and frame design
• Fatigue failure of frames and spokes
• Power matching

The project will be split into phases with corresponding reports and feedback:

• Very rough draft mini-project plan
• Literature review
• Finalised project plan
• Presentation
• Final report

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• To define the specification of various types of bicycle in current use
• To choose suitable materials for a number of components, using the Cambridge Engineering Selector as the principal tool, but also drawing on other sources.
• To investigate in detail one aspect of bicycle design, as listed below.

Content

The project will investigate the mechanical, structural and materials design considerations for the bicycle.

1. Introduction (joint sessions).

An introductory session will put the bicycle in its historical perspective and discuss the specification of various types of bicycle. Students choose a mini-project for section 3.

2. Specification, Conceptual Design and Use of the Cambridge Engineering Selector (students work alone in week 1).

All students will receive two handouts. The first will guide the writing of a report on the specification and conceptual design of selected parts of the bicycle and an introduction to their mini-project.

The second handout will lead students through the use of the Cambridge Engineering Selector (CES) to identify suitable materials and help them establish performance indices for a number of key components.

3. Mini-projects (students in pairs).

Students will undertake a mini-project on one aspect of bicycle design. Mini-projects will be directed through the use of handouts and timetabled supervision. Each student will write a report on their mini-project.

The subjects covered are: 

• Optimisation on cost or performance
• Tyre rolling resistance
• Bearing and chain performance
• Fork and frame loading
• Fatigue failure of frames and spokes
• Power matching.

4. Presentation and Assessment: Each student will make a short presentation of their findings.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• introduce the requirements and constraints associated with the design of an automotive suspension assembly.
• perform relevant design calculations to predict and optimise the performance of particular components of the assembly.
• understand the importance of selecting appropriate materials, manufacturing processes and standard parts.
• perform the embodiment design of a sub-assembly of an automotive suspension.
• prepare detail design information necessary for manufacture.

Content

This project involves the design of components of an automotive suspension assembly for a Formula Student race car. Tasks include conceptual, embodiment and detail design, all performed individually. The project should appeal to students interested in mechanical design and automotive engineering.

FORMAT

Lectures will be given on automotive suspension systems and mechanical design. Demonstrators will be available at other timetabled sessions to discuss individual design work. Students work individually, but discussion of ideas will be encouraged. Work takes place in the Dyson Centre in week 1, and in the DPO during weeks 2-4. Solidworks will be used extensively in the second half of the project. Detailed instruction on the use of Solidworks will not be given. You may wish to revisit the IA CAD tutorials and tasks if you have not used Solidworks since IA. Pencil/paper drawing is an acceptable alternative but it may constrain your ability to make good design decisions.

ACTIVITIES

Week 1: Review existing design solutions. Estimate the forces and stresses in a suspension assembly. Perform a material selection exercise for several components of a suspension assembly. Review the Formula Student Technical Regulations. Identify the key design requirements and constraints. Write a short report.

Week 2: Select a design concept. Perform calculations to estimate the forces in the suspension assembly. Select standard parts. Write a short report. Begin designing non-standard components.

Week 3: Design component geometries, select materials and manufacturing processes, while satisfying the requirements and constraints. Prepare a CAD model, a 2D design arrangement drawing, and a parts list.

Week 4: Prepare a dimensioned and toleranced detail drawing of one component of the assembly. Write final report.