Institution news
Formula Student hosted by IMechE in July every year at Silverstone, UK, brings over 100 university teams from around the globe to compete in an event that tests engineering skills as well as team capabilities and communication.
Formula Student is a way into the real world of engineering to develop and innovate vehicles to compete in static and dynamic events to test the team’s preparation and hard work. Every university brings their pride and joy into the track to show case their skills combing both practical engineering and soft skills that includes business planning and project management.
In addition, Heriot-Watt university is breaking the long-distance communication barrier with one team under the name HWRacing from Edinburgh and Dubai. The team communicates through multiple communication platforms, from Skype calls to emails, to even travelling across for support.
Last year, two members, Saadeddine El Nakib and Aadesh Gopal, travelled from Dubai to Silverstone, UK to have an unforgettable experience at Silverstone. The competition brings together multiple cultures; it is a great way to make connection with different people.
This is a competition that builds character and team working skills. And every night, university teams get together to relieve stress and strike friendship with one and another making one big family.
“When you have that connection and expertise around the world, you get to experience a much wider, out-of-the-box way of thinking”
Saadeddine El Nakib, HWRacing
Every morning there was a routine to wake up early and get to work, from food preparation to working on the car.
The vehicle takes about a year from design to testing during our course work where team management skills and time management comes to play in order to succeed. With one project manager, the team gets split into different groups, each led by a team leader taking parts into building the Formula Student car. We have different engineering disciplines in the team such as mechanical, electrical and chemical from first year to fourth year. Fourth year students work to ensure the knowledge is passed down, especially on software such as Ansys, Abaqus and Matlab. With rich history and reports from past years, we managed to keep HWRacing a sustainable team to compete every year.
HWRacing at Formula Student 2019
In 2019 we managed to pass all 6 criteria of scrutineering and placed 32 out of 81 contestants. While competing, many things could happen from brake failure to steering exhaust calibration and all are required to be tackled on the spot. This is the fun part of engineering where problem solving is a must have skill to ensure success. Multiple teams assist one and another with parts, tools and skills they may require, and sportsmanship is established during the event. This is an opportunity you do not want to miss.
Fourth year honour’s student in mechanical engineering, Joseph Ayub, is tackling a project for Formula 1 schools from the age of 9 to 19 to encourage the younger generation into engineering. The challenge is to design and manufacture a F1 model car while taking into consideration all aspects of STEM. These cars will then be tested and take part in a race. Students are encouraged to explore new technologies such as simulation software and methods to design their car. His final year project is to create a platform for the students taking part in the competition. Studies on various aspects regarding the aero dynamics of an F1 car are carried out. Using the knowledge gained, different car bodies and wings are design using CAD software.
ANSYS Discovery Live is relatively new software launched specifically for students looking for an introduction into simulation software. The model designs will undergo fluid dynamic simulations and drag forces caused by each model to be analyzed and find the best combination of body and wing designs. Furthermore, the model cars will be manufactured using 3D printers to make things fun. These cars will be completely modular so that different combinations of body and wing types can be tested. Models will then be put in a wind tunnel for demonstration and analyze the readings for comparison to find the best approach for students when beginning their designs.
This study is to encourage more students to pick up skills and help them on the fast track towards Formula Student competition.