Spreading our February Love
Quick Summary
- Love is in the air, and FRUCD is hard at work, here's our newsletter update!
It's February - love is in the air, and FRUCD is quite in love with FE11's progress. As we approach the end of the month, it's time to get our newsletter updates out! So far we're making steady manufacturing progress, hoping to complete the car by Picnic Day.
As we wrap up February, consider sharing your love with FRUCD. The crowdfund is closing soon, but there’s still time to donate to help get our team members to competition in Michigan!
In other news, the composites team have been busy this month. They successfully tested new procedures with curing pre-impregnated carbon fiber. The success of this test proves our ability to manufacture carbon fiber parts on a large scale for future aerodynamic components. This also gives us a proven method to cure large components like the seat. The first infusion lay-up has been completed as well, which will help parts have more equal resin distribution, leading to stronger and more visually appealing carbon fiber parts. Thanks to Stoner Moulding Solutions for the Honey Wax! Rocket Composites provided us with carbon fiber weave and resin, and thanks to our new partner Chem-Trend for mold cleaner, sealer, and release agent samples. Following the success of these tests, the front panel plug has been completed, and the carbon fiber dashboard is done and will be ready for installation the following month.
Chassis is well underway with manufacturing and reaching 90% completion - needing some tab additions along with other finishing touches. Recently, the chassis subteam welded the accumulator mounts and are starting to tack the motor tabs which mount to the motor brackets. Great progress from chassis so far!
Our aerodynamics team has finished 3D printing airfoil cores and laid them in carbon fiber. The airfoil cores will eventually serve to reduce drag and increase lift for the car. This method is currently part of an experimental test to figure out different ways to manufacture the aerodynamic package in preparation for full-scale development next year.
Suspension tabs were put on the car this week followed by drivetrain tabs. Furthermore, drivetrain has also finished the brackets and is currently working on components for drivetrain assembly. Lastly, the accumulator team waterjetted the container parts for the battery pack and are now looking to welding it so that the battery can be completed on time.
With that all said and done we're about wrapped up with February! To keep up with team updates, look out for our March newsletter next month, and check out our social media platforms at the link below which will take you to our LinkTree. Thanks for reading!