\u201cThe advantage with NX is that the whole process is embedded in a single software,\u201d transmission team leader Xavier Garant said in an ENGINEERING.com article<\/A>. \u201c[W]hen we are in the process of designing a new part, we can switch back and forth between modeling and finite element analysis to make adjustments. This simplifies the iteration process for us.\u201d<\/P><\/p>\n Given the critical role weight plays in relation to fuel economy, it comes as no surprise that one of the team\u2019s main goals was to reduce the weight of their SAE vehicle. They succeeded in shaving 2 or 3 pounds (1-1.4 kg) off the car, bringing the total weight down to an impressive 87 pounds (40 kg).<\/P><\/p>\n The team reused a previous year\u2019s vehicle shell that already was in good shape with regard to weight and aerodynamic drag, thanks to past work with FEA and CFD analysis.<\/P><\/p>\n Reusing the shell allowed U Laval\u2019s team time to optimize other vehicle parts, team manager Bruno D\u00e9saulniers said in a press release<\/A>. To do so, they used carbon fiber and parts made from aluminum, a lighter weight alternative to traditional steel.<\/P><\/p>\n \u201cFEA enabled us to analyze the trade-off between using aluminum and steel. Aluminum has less weight but is less rigid,\u201d Xavier explained.<\/P><\/p>\n \u201cThe applied forces were calculated using the maximum output torque from the engine and the transmission ratio. The simulation also accounted for slight misalignments of the rear sprocket, to validate the strength should this undesirable situation occur,\u201d Xavier said.<\/P><\/span>They were able to avoid risks of failures in the design of a transmission sprocket thanks to the results they obtained in NX Simulation.<\/P><\/p>\n
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