Justin Coulter, Ryan Kiedrowski, Joshua Isaac, Shawn Koberna, Cody Fuess, Parker Jenkins

Sponsor or Client: W.L. Gore & Associates, Mother Road Brewing Co., Car-Graph Inc., GMN Bearing, AZ Metals, MarZee Inc., Gilbert Family Birth Center

Title:

SAE Baja Collegiate Competition - Suspension

Abstract:

The Society of Automotive Engineers’ Baja is a senior capstone project that focuses on building and racing an off-road miniature vehicle that competes each year at competition. Each year mechanical engineering undergraduate students work as a team to fabricate and test the vehicle for competition. Each team member has a vital role in the project and are assigned to a specific sub-team. Each sub-team focuses on important design requirements of the vehicle. The four sub-teams consist of the front and rear suspension team, a drivetrain team, and a frame team. The suspension teams focus on designing the steering and suspension components that allow the vehicle to articulate and maneuver over obstacles that will be seen at the competition. Our team used the rulebook as the foundation for our design. The rules written by SAE international specify that safety is paramount. Safety was considered in all of our designs to ensure that the vehicle can be operated safely and successfully. In accordance with the rulebook, there is also a technical inspection to ensure all the proper safety rules and design requirements have been met. Each year the team aims to improve upon the design and performance of the vehicle from previous teams to win in competition. This is the goal of this year’s Baja team.