FormulaE
2025 // Summer
Project Duration: 14 Weeks
Team Project with Sokol Shi
Rubber Band-powered race car, with a focus on aerodynamics and weight reduction.
Goal
Go in circles for 9 times within the shortest amount of time
1st model was a total disaster, it did not really run. The gears were 3D printed, the resistence from all of the part was massive.
On the 2nd model, we used more pre-made parts. Aluminum rods, Carbon fiber tubes... This version actually ran a decent amount of distance but was not enough to complete the race.
The 3rd version that we made changed the entire steering system. The previous one was very fragile, a little extra force would wreck the whole steering system. The way we changed that? Thicker material, protective case for moving components, just like what you would do on a real car!!
The 4th version was the huge revolutionary for our little car. The whole powering and breaking system changed. The newer system was way more space efficient, the orient of the rubberband was also changed to align with the car. This way, we are able to remove some extra weight from the car.
5th model was a easy change. The original wheels did not provide enough grip. We tried adding weight on the rear wheels, also used a different material to test out if it was the lack of weight or the lack of grip.
Our 6th model was focused mainly on weight reduction. With limited amount of power, the only thing that made our car faster was the weight. The rear was completely redesigned by me. Smaller and thinner structure, keeping strength and light-weight at the same time. However, this made the car too light for our new wheels so we had to add weight on the rear to make the car run again... Guess I overworked my job? or might have to design new wheels again...
New wheels and mode Weight Reduction!! On the 7th Model we went crazy on grip and weight. We used aeromaterials on steering parts, and fat wheels on wheels. Results? great, but not for long. Aero materials are very prone to fractures on impact. 9 laps done, and the steering system would completely break.
8th Model from the start, this one can finally run more than 9 laps without breaking. Absolutely crazy speed with all the weight reduction that we have been working on, stamina is also crazy, we surpassed the requirement for the race, and the structure of the car is stable enough to go full throttle in corners.
On the 9th model, we worked on wheels and tires. We had to make them lightweight, low resistance, and strong. I worked on them throughout the whole project, and this week, I went all in on wheels. On the front wheel, I used 5 spokes and a huge pad. The pad was to reduce wind resistance, and the spokes were V-shaped. The thickness was just enough not to snap on impact and high-intensity driving; this way, we were also able to get the car lighter. Tires? I chose sealing strips. They worked phenomenally, with low rolling resistance and high grip in corners.
The rear wheel is larger, this was not broken while driving, somebody stepped on it. I used a similar method with the front wheel.
Race Day!!
Our team destroyed the 3 other cars from the other class. We switched to thinners and more aerodynamic wheels in the end. Our car did hit the wall twice on the drag race(2nd part), and we discovered that the car runs on only 3 wheels.
How it Performed!!
