Analysis of a Carbon Fibre Rim : Student Formula
Uyttersprot, Bryan (2015)
Uyttersprot, Bryan
Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu
2015
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201505209165
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201505209165
Tiivistelmä
This master’s thesis is within the context of a formula race competition between universities. The main goal is to replace the modern rims of the TAMK Student Formula car by lighter and more efficient rims.
To achieve this goal, important topics such as general rim design, tyre forces, tyre moments, strength of materials, fatigue and mechanical properties of carbon fibre were examined. Carbon fibre was applied because of its decent strength, weight and fatigue characteristics. Two possible rims were examined. The first design was a single piece carbon fibre rim and the second model was a multiple piece carbon fibre rim of which several parts of the modern design were reused. Both wheels were drawn in a 3D Cad software called Inventor and their strength was calculated by simulation software called Ansys Workbench 15.0. After modelling the rim, a suggestion was made to manufacture the rims. A 3D print of ABS was used to create the moulds. The vacuum bag moulding method was applied to fabricate both types of rims. The modern rim, the one-piece rim and the multiple piece carbon fibre rim were compared. The parameters were deformation, different kinds of stresses, weight and cost. Technical drawings and exploded views of different assemblies were attached to the appendices.
The result was that the multiple piece carbon fibre rim could be processed on short term. The single piece rims were considered to be a possible long term solution, because new wheel hubs were required for this rim.
To achieve this goal, important topics such as general rim design, tyre forces, tyre moments, strength of materials, fatigue and mechanical properties of carbon fibre were examined. Carbon fibre was applied because of its decent strength, weight and fatigue characteristics. Two possible rims were examined. The first design was a single piece carbon fibre rim and the second model was a multiple piece carbon fibre rim of which several parts of the modern design were reused. Both wheels were drawn in a 3D Cad software called Inventor and their strength was calculated by simulation software called Ansys Workbench 15.0. After modelling the rim, a suggestion was made to manufacture the rims. A 3D print of ABS was used to create the moulds. The vacuum bag moulding method was applied to fabricate both types of rims. The modern rim, the one-piece rim and the multiple piece carbon fibre rim were compared. The parameters were deformation, different kinds of stresses, weight and cost. Technical drawings and exploded views of different assemblies were attached to the appendices.
The result was that the multiple piece carbon fibre rim could be processed on short term. The single piece rims were considered to be a possible long term solution, because new wheel hubs were required for this rim.