UNB Formula Racing has now entered its second full year as an official UNB club, but this is the team’s first year with a plan to race at Michigan International Speedway this upcoming June. The team has entered the competition lottery and is waiting to see if we will be able to race at the big dance.
There has been no shortage of activity within the team. From reuniting with team members returning from co-ops to welcoming new members at our orientation sessions, the team has had a lot to discuss. This has allowed us to quickly get into validating our designs from last year to ensure that they conform to the new 2027 rules.
FSAE keeps teams on their toes with a yearly rulebook revision, forcing teams back to the drawing board ahead of every season. Every subteam has been hard at work before classes pick up the pace to ensure past designs conform to the new rules.
The team was also featured on CBC! Our story was shared widely across New Brunswick, helping spread the word about our team. Check out the article and video at the link below:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/unb-students-electric-racecar-formula-sae-9.7350290
If one thing is for certain, our team has its sights set high!
High Voltage
In September, we successfully integrated the motor with the inverter and got the motor spinning for the first time. We also continued working with Topattery to begin filling out the ESF. Additionally, we completed the Tractive System Measuring Point. Finally, we welcomed 10 new members to the team and helped them integrate into the HV team.
Low Voltage
Last month within the low voltage team, we tested our first version of the BSPD PCB. Although it did not work on the first try, we found a crucial mistake, and our second version is arriving and will be tested soon. Based on the testing that we were able to conduct, we feel good about the plausibility of this new model working properly.
We also figured out how we were going to integrate the new lamp check rule with the IMD and BMS dash lights, the TSSI, and the RTML. We used a centralized approach that branches out from the SDC PCB, which should improve the organization of our wiring harness.
After long consideration, we’ve decided to move forward with the Sensata Technologies inertia switch model.
We are wrapping up validating old component selections and updating documentation so that we can make a big order for LV components within the next month.
Software
The software team gained many new capable members so there was lots of on-boarding for the first few weeks. The VCU has made connection with the VCU and made an echoing algorithm to ensure that the program is receiving and processing both digital and analog information correctly, updating documentation from companies for internal processes where it is lacking. Now the VCU is working on making the larger rules compliant modules. The Data logging team has been researching the visualization and the architecture of the Raspberry Pi software.
Drivetrain
We welcomed many new members to the Drivetrain team this September - many hands make light work. Our cooling system is in development and we have selected a few contenders for the pump and radiator. After some research and deliberation, we will be getting our motor and differential mounts manufactured and shipped to us - the designs are finalized and ready to be sent off. We also received our Drexler Differential from AutoTech, along with the differential sprocket adaptor and a handful of other components related to the differential.
Chassis
This month the chassis team welcomed new members to the subteam. After some onboarding and rule reading, the new members were assigned tasks and began to work on different aspects of the chassis. Members will be working on the following: Ergonomics rig, seat design and manufacturing, impact attenuator and anti intrusion plate, head rest, harnessing, firewall, and battery mounts.
Dynamics
This month, the Dynamics team focused on developing the braking system, steering system, pedal box and suspension mounting, bringing several designs closer to completion. Key steering & brakes components have been ordered, and manufacturing preparation is underway.
Moving forward, our focus is on finalizing the remaining designs before the Oct 31st design freeze, and preparing components for manufacturing.