Subteams

Triton Racing is made up of 8 technical subteams that focus on developing different aspects of the car. In addition, we have a Business subteam that focuses on internal management and public relations as well as a Manufacturing subteam that handles the in-house machining of all our custom parts. Projects are split up by subteam, but they all frequently collaborate to ensure that every assembly will mesh well together in order to produce a cohesive vehicle. Learn more about each subteam below.

Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics focuses on the on designing, validating and manufacturing aerodynamics components (i.e. Front Wing, Rear Wing, Undertray) with the ultimate goal of shortening lap times. Aerodynamics provides many hands-on opportunities, with members gaining experience fabricating aerodynamic components using carbon fiber and various machining tools. Aerodynamics commonly utilizes softwares such as Ansys Fluent for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.

Business

Business focuses on all non-technical aspects of the team. Members design graphics and manage content for social media channels, design and paint the car's livery, oversee the team's financial budget, manage relations with corporate sponsors, and plan events. The Business team often works with social media apps, spreadsheets, and graphic design software.

Chassis

Chassis is responsible for the structural backbone, driver interface, and safety systems of the car. Our projects include the frame, brakes, steering, body panels, firewall, pedal box, ergonomics and driver support, and the anti-intrusion plate and impact attenuator. Chassis members model and analyze parts using SolidWorks and its Simulation tools, then manufacture them in the DIB and the machine shop below EBU II, where we have access to a water jet, lathes, and manual and CNC mills. We also TIG weld our frame together, along with anything that attaches to it.

Low Voltage Electronics

Low Voltage Electronics handles everything on the car that runs below the High Voltage threshold. We are responsible for the systems integration of safety systems, sensors, and other peripherals required to make the car run, as well as the design of custom PCBs such as the Vehicle Control Unit and Power Distribution Unit. Members design and lay out these PCBs using industry common software like Altium, as well as solder and assemble the boards by hand. Members also plan and put together the wiring harness, and gain experience debugging and troubleshooting circuits.

Low Voltage Software

Low Voltage Software focuses on the embedded software and supporting infrastructure to control the car and collect data on its systems. This includes reading pedal inputs, sending motor commands on the CAN bus to the inverter, and filtering sensor output for data acquisition. Our team uses an STM32 as our MCU, and we work with many industry-standard software tools and languages such as GitHub, Simulink, and C++.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing does not host distinct projects but instead oversees the mechanical machining and assembly across all the other subteams. The lead will evaluate the manufacturabiltiy of all custom-designed mechanical components and host training workshops on best practices for using CNC machnining equipment and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software.

Powertrain Electrical

Powertrain Electrical works on the electrical portion of the car's Tractive System - the High Voltage subsections of the vehicle - as well as the individual safety circuits and shutdown lines that interface with/interact with it and all components that operate above the standard low-voltage threshold. Members work on PCB design and layout, soldering, wiring, assembling cell packs, properly insulating the Tractive System Battery internals, and the general management and upkeep of the Charging Box.

Powertrain Mechanical

Powertrain Mechanical creates the mechanical and structural components of the electric powertrain. Components take the form of sprockets and differential mounting but also extend to projects such as the cooling system and structural high voltage architecture. Members will learn to use SolidWorks CAD for design and FEA for validating components. Using the school's resources, members will also be familiarized with manufactuing techniques such as laser cutting, water jetting, and CNC machining.

Suspension

Suspension handles the design, FEA analysis, and manufacturing of all components connecting the wheels to the chassis (uprights, wheels, rocker assemblies, dampers, pushrods, and control arms) with the goal of a lightweight, structurally sound platform that hits the kinematic targets set working in tandem with Vehicle Dynamics. Members model and validate parts in Solidworks and Ansys, then generate toolpaths in Fusion CAM to manufacture them on CNC mills in steel or aluminum.

Vehicle Dynamics

Vehicle Dynamics is about the conceptual design behind a race car. The ultimate goal of a competition vehicle is to score as many points as possible by placing well in a variety of dynamic events. VD members develop useful tools and validate them against track data to ultimately better understand the car. Fundamental concepts including lap-time simulations, tire modeling, handling stability, and suspension kinematics all fall under the scope of this team. Through use of mathematical modeling, we can run through many design possibilities quickly without the expense of manufacturing and testing endless iterations.

Page updated

Report abuse