After wrapping up the main design phase in the Fall 2022 semester, the team was eager to begin manufacturing on the vehicle. The machine shop was open to students for three weeks during winter break, and the team made full use of that time. This included time for small redesigns and tweaks of certain subsystems to ensure they will mesh together efficiently.
The first main components to be manufactured included the steering and braking subsystems. These components require precise tolerances as all components must fit well and not interfere. Here is an example of some of the left side components that have been completed.
Lots of time was spent practicing MIG welding because all group members want to be able to contribute to the construction of the steel frame. The main frame, made from rectangular tubing, was constructed and welded together. The bottom bracket was welded to the main frame as well. Here is the current finished main frame.
As winter break comes to a close, the team plans to construct the roll bar, front axle, front axle supports, and most other frame components. Most necessary materials are in-house which will greatly speed up the overall manufacturing process. Heading into the semester the team is in a great position to finish construction of the vehicle midway through the Spring semester and have plenty of time for testing and optimization of the finished product.