Document Type

Undergraduate Project

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2022

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Committee Chair

Craig Johnson

Second Committee Member

Rodger Beardsley

Third Committee Member

Charles Pringle

Abstract

The RC Baja competition is a contest where undergraduate mechanical engineering students design, build, and compete against one another. The objective of this competition is to create the most efficient RC car possible. A gear train analysis was done and showed an 8:1 gear ratio would be the most efficient ratio due to the chosen motor having a higher torque output. Also, a stress analysis was done and showed that 2011 T3 aluminum passed the stress and weight criteria. These analyses ensured the RC Baja car was efficient. Most of the parts for the drivetrain and steering subassemblies were machined in the machine shop at CWU while some were 3D printed also at CWU. Once the RC car was designed and built, the efficiency of the RC Baja car is determined by doing numerous tests such as a speed test, drop test, cornering test, and a collision test. The speed test showed expected performance by averaging 20.5 MPH through the three trials over the span of 50 feet. The drop test from 1.5 feet was videoed to determine the deflection of the tie rods. The tie rods showed minimal deflection that was almost too small to measure at 0.01 inches averaged over three trials. The cornering test was done three times to show an average of 5 degrees of yaw through a 60 corner over the span of three trials. This report will cover the designing, manufacturing, and testing of the RC Baja car that will be competed.

Comments

2022 SOURCE presentation: https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2022/CEPS/46/

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