Product category:
Pneumatic Valves and Controls
News Release from: Norgren
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 06 July 2006
Student racers get help with pneumatics
Norgren is supporting the UBR racing team in its assault on the 2006 Formula Student competition.
The UBR racing team is very closely linked to the Birmingham University School of engineering, and the institution is the key sponsor for the ongoing project, providing excellent support for the team in terms of finances and resources In addition to this support the team must source partnership with industry to ensure that it remains competitive
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 19 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Norgren recognises the importance of supporting engineers of the future and is pleased to be associated with this exciting project.
The design and build of the car is geared towards the Formula Student competition, organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and is a fantastic opportunity for the students to take part in a dynamic full scale design and build activity.
It is generally recognised that graduates who have gone through this experience are two years ahead of other graduates in terms of "fitness for purpose", and they are much sought after by industry.
The car itself is based around a 600cm3 motorbike engine and the previous car was based around a mechanical clutch and gearshift actuation.
However this did not give the team the precise control of the clutch it needed.
With the original car it was difficult to get a good start off the start line and to get back on the track should the vehicle spin off.
The mechanical clutch tended to spin the wheels.
The team wanted to investigate a pneumatic proportional clutch that would give them more control when starting the car and to minimise the time taken to change gear when running at race pace.
The technical requirements of the new system were supplied to Norgren, and engineers at the company set to work to find a solution.
Once the solution had been designed it was not simply a matter of handing it over to the team to install.
Members of the team were invited to Norgren's Lichfield facility to participate in the manufacture of the double acting pneumatic cylinders that were specified so that they could get an understanding of the manufacturing process.
Norgren has also provided financial support.
All looks good for the 2006 season and everybody is expecting a good performance from the team.
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