Student Spotlight: Dave Cullimore

What do you plan to do after University?

I‘ve secured a job at a high profile motorsport company as a Designer. 

Has your university course influenced you?

I’ve learned a huge amount from my university course, and ultimately I am glad I chose to do a degree.  But in terms of influence I’d say my participation in the Greenpower Challenge has had a greater affect; it’s enabled me to gain valuable experience and develop skills in areas of particular interest to me; and I’ve learned so much in the process.  I was studying Industrial Design at University this, combined with my experience in Greenpower, helped me secure a 12month internship at one of the world’s best Formula 1 teams, and ultimately helped me get a job in motorsport. 

Where and how did you learn to use Solid Edge?

I’m entirely self-taught; I learnt to use Solid Edge on my laptop at home.  My participation in the Greenpower Challenge provided the perfect opportunity and incentive to use industry software on a project that gave me industry-relevant experience in design and manufacturing but also in managing a complex project within a highly competitive environment.  Using Solid Edge definitely helped me.

What do you like best about Solid Edge?

Ultimately, Solid Edge is easy to learn and use, from interface to the individual tools.  My participation in the Greenpower Challenge gave me real-world design problems where I needed to learn a wide range of skills including complex surfacing, solid modelling, assemblies, and engineering drawings.  Solid Edge allowed me to do everything I needed to design and build a highly-engineered and competitive, championship-winning Greenpower car. 

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve designed in Solid Edge?

Certainly the largest and most complex project I’ve undertaken is my Greenpower electric racing car Jet II. The car evolved during the design phase using Solid Edge and these CAD models were used to make the real car parts. The aerodynamically formed surfaces were used to create the patterns that created the moulds for the monocoque and drawings were used to support the manufacture many internal components. It’s really been a great exercise in design and engineering which is perfect preparation for my future in industry.

Who has most influenced you academically?

I’ve tried to adopt the approach of the designers and engineers I admire. I try to emulate some of the philosophies of Colin Chapman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Chapman) and Dave Brailsford (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Brailsford) in my own projects.

What change do you want to accomplish in the world?

I’m quite a competitive person and I’d like to be successful in my field. How you define success may vary, but I’d like to set a good example whether it be from an engineering perspective or inspiring others like I was myself.

For more information on Dave please visit his website www.cullimoreracing.com 

Top image of JET II in Solid Edge, bottom image of JET II racing on track. For more information on JET II click here.