Document Type

Undergraduate Project

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2023

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Committee Chair

Charles Pringle, PE or Dr. Jon Choi

Second Committee Member

Charles Pringle, PE or Dr. Jon Choi

Third Committee Member

Mr. Chris Berkshire

Abstract

The ASME RC Baja competition derives a need for an RC car capable of performing at a competitive level in Slalom, Sprint, and Offroad racing. To accomplish this task a suspension and steering system was designed to limit the weight of the components without compromising the structural strength, which resulted in optimizing the overall speed and stability of the vehicle. The responsibilities for optimizing the drivetrain and chassis were handled by co-engineer Sean Drake.

To ensure that each component of the suspension and steering system would hold when subjected to the expected forces, various stress analyses were performed to the components. These analyses used engineering merit in Mechanics of Materials, Plastics, Mechanical Design, and Physics to prove components would not shear nor buckle when subjected to the forces impacted from the 10 lb RC car. The analyses performed used the material properties for ABS plastic due to the light weight and durability of the material. These analyses drove the drafting designs using SolidWorks and 3D printed using ABS Plastic. Working closely with Mr. Drake during the design and manufacturing stage ensured that all components would integrate together and be focused on the goal of limiting the weight of the car.

The car weighed a total of 9.25lbs which met the requirement of being less than 10 lbs. The car turned at a radius of 4.1’ which met the max radius requirement of 5’. The suspension allowed 2.5” of clearance from the ground which was greater than the required 1”.

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