RC 4X4 Scale Rock Crawler
overview
This project was for the Land Rover 4x4 in Schools Technology Challenge. It is a worldwide competition that requires teams of students to design, build and test a radio controlled four wheel drive (4x4) rock crawler set to specfications by Land Rover. Upon completion of the build, it must be documented and a series of panels assess the project. The vehicle then has to navigate an obstacle course that emulates scenarios encountered by full size 4x4s. This project was done outside of academia for pure enjoyment of the competition. We entered as a team of 6, where I was Manufacturing Manager of the team - handling all CAD, workshop builds, integrating electronics with physical design and creating new types of mechanisms that could be manufactured.
the challenge
There are a strict set of technical regulations the vehicle must follow regarding weight limits, maximum/minimum dimensions, ground clearance, approach angle, departure angle, break over angle, drivetrain requirements, 4 wheel drive, body shell coverage, tow bar for carrying a trailer and electronics limitations. We were successfull in losing no points in this through carefully considered design and continous iterative testing.
the result
Our team gained a place at the World Finals, came 2nd Nationally and won the Regional Heats. A testament to the engineering involved was when we also won the ‘Best Engineered Professional Class’ award as it shows the theory applied to the development of our car, as well as the manufacturing involved to produce it, was in-depth and carefully considered.
The competition tested my time management skills and ability to take on responsibility. It also required the use of my manufacturing skills to turn innovative ideas into physical working parts. I used traditional manufacturing on the lathe mixed with 3D printing and CNC milling. By fusing traditional techniques and rapid prototyping I was able to iterate and produce bespoke parts such as a magnetic suspension system and a carbon fibre chassis. The motor mounts had been designed to also act as passive heatsinks for the DC motors which were directly mounted to the axles. We were sponsored by a variety of companies, including Bridgestone.
The competition tested my time management skills and ability to take on responsibility. It also required the use of my manufacturing skills to turn innovative ideas into physical working parts. I used traditional manufacturing on the lathe mixed with 3D printing and CNC milling. By fusing traditional techniques and rapid prototyping I was able to iterate and produce bespoke parts such as a magnetic suspension system and a carbon fibre chassis. The motor mounts had been designed to also act as passive heatsinks for the DC motors which were directly mounted to the axles. We were sponsored by a variety of companies, including Bridgestone.
TEAM
Shafae Ali, Luke Kwan, Ishan Jain, Chris Jurkowski, William Atkins, Tom Watson
year
2018
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