2024 - 2026 Dynamics Pre-Season Brainstorming

Look into 5 link suspension
Mount pushrod to upright, look into pullrod suspension
3 layer frame
Create an accurate and detailed Bill of Materials from the start. Keep it up to date
- Use throughout the year, integrate with purchasing system to see progress on orders
- Have hardware components, stock and equivalent parts in separate tabs
Design review structure: CDR, PDR
Topology optimization on frame and unsprung components
Simming in Ansys or Altair
Prepare for FEA with hand calculations, present graphs and data at design reviews
- Use normalized values as opposed to FOS
Have much more tooling.
Change our culture
Have rigid design freezes. DON’T MAKE IT TOO EARLY OTHERWISE IT IS POINTLESS
Seniors should not be allowed to be system leads
Use solidworks cam instead of fusion
attach pushrod to upright
attach shocks directly to frame
use bushings instead of rod ends
McPherson strut or trailing arm
New steering rack with external housing that can be bolted to frame tab with a pillow block
Use composite steering column and pushrod

Use bolts that have the unthreaded portion be exact;ly the width of the hardware stack
Positivley locking

narrco rack

center locking nut for hub

gearbox

brake buttons for brake disc retention

different brake calipers for rear

rigid bild file naming system

Suspension goals

Steering goals

Use a rack such as the narrco rack that allows us to place mounting closer to the edge of the frame
Minimize steering compliance and backlash
Fully characterize behavior of steering system including c-factor, steering ratio,

Unsprung goals

Manufacture our own centerlocking nut for the hub to eliminate the need for locnuts
Use brake buttons to eliminate the need for blind holes to mount the brake rotor
Brake rotor manufacturing for weight-saving and analysis purposes