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SLS technology aims to give a racing edge

A 3T RPD product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 10, 2004

Using selective laser sintering technology, 3T RPD will supply operational prototypes and components to the Oxford Brookes teams for this year's Formula Student challenge.

Every year automotive engineering degree course students from the School of Technology at Oxford Brookes University enter the Formula SAE/Formula Student competition to design and compete a small formula-style racing car.

Following the success of the 2003 car, there will be two entries into the 2004 competition; the Isis FS03b (an evolution of last year's car) and the Isis FS04 (a completely new design).

The Rapid Product Development Group (RPDG) is now in its fourth successful year of promoting the technologies available to accelerate the development of new products, while reducing lead times and budgets.

With funding from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), the RPDG is supporting the Oxford Brookes' Engineering students to conceive, design, build, test and compete their single-seater racing cars.

Using selective laser sintering (SLS) technology, 3T RPD will supply operational prototypes and components to the Oxford Brookes teams.

3T's involvement with the motorsport industry has already proved that the strength, durability and functionality of SLS parts allows them to be used in anger in true working environments, therefore negating the need to go down the more traditional manufacturing routes for some components.

The cars are built over a period of about a year and are taken to any of three annual competitions for judging and comparison with up to 120 other vehicles from colleges and universities throughout the world.

The premiere event of its kind is held in Michigan, USA in May each year, and in July the European Formula Student event is held in the UK.

In 2002, the Oxford Brookes team came fifth in the UK and 13th overall, and in 2003 they were first in the UK and fifth overall.

Restrictions are placed on the design of the car frame and engine, so the students' knowledge, creativity and imagination are tested.

Four-stroke engines up to 610cm3 can be turbocharged or supercharged to add a new dimension to the challenge of engine design.

The vehicles are judged in three different categories: static inspection and engineering design; solo performance trials; and High-performance track endurance.

Tim Plunkett, CEO of 3T, says: "This is an extremely exciting project for the RPDG to become involved in, and we are confident that 3T's SLS technology will help Oxford Brookes compete successfully in 2004.

Engineering students of today are the future talent that industry needs, and we are dedicated to developing relationships with these students early on and to support them in their future successes".

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