A-Arms report

Nathan Cook

Leroy Wolter

Leonard Healy

Picture from www.f1fanatic.co.uk

Front and Rear A-Arms

Relevance and effectivenessHad to design A-Arms for formula SAE 2016 electric race car.

They attach the wheels to the chassis via the uprights.

Had to comply with the suspension geometry and parts given to us already.

Must be backwards compatible with ts_15.

Ideal weight <600g per corner

The A-arms are designed to withstand the transverse and longitudinal loads that are placed upon the car when the car is accelerating.

Relevance and effectivenessThe A-Arms are made out of chrome moly 4130 which is both cheap light and

strong

The model that has been created had held up initial FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and can provide suitable support for the car without breaking

Can be adjusted via easy to access rod ends to change the camber and caster to optimise the efficiency of the wheels

NoveltyLast years car had a problem with the clearance of the rear wheels

The A-Arms can be improved with different materials and manufacturing procedures but not without dramatically driving up the price and time taken to manufacture.

Each A-Arm corner weighed 660g which is 60g above the target

MaterialsMaterial Cost Strength Weight Ease Total

4130 5 4 4 4 17

Steel 2 5 1 5 13

Carbon Fiber

1 3 5 3 12

Elegance4130 chrome molly was chosen due to it having far more positives than the

others

4130 is an SAE steel grade making and ideal use for the f1 car

Why is it called 4130? (Chromium Molybdenum)

CalculationsLongitudinal Load Transfer

Acceleration (g) = (Mass (kg) * CG Height(m)) / Wheelbase(m)

Lateral Load Transfer

Acceleration (g) = (Mass (kg) * CG Height(m)) / Trackwidth(m)

GenesisThe design of these A-Arms can be taken and be improved in further years by

replacing the chrome moly tubes with tubes of a different material eg carbon fibre whilst still maintaining the basic design we have created.

The A-Arms design helps solve the problem that last years car has of the wheels spinning and losing traction when accelerating. It does this by providing the proper stability needed.

Any Questions?

Thankyou.

Nathan Cook

Leroy Wolter

Leonard Healy