Mechanical Onboarding

Owned by Max Boone
Last updated: Sep 16, 2024
3 min read

Please read this page in its entirety before entering the first module

Welcome to the Mechanical Team on Northeastern Electric Racing! Here we design, fabricate and assemble the components that make up the structural and dynamic components of a vehicle. This page will serve as a hub for your first semester on the team, teaching you the basics on how to design and manufacture parts in a real world setting.

Table of Contents

General Information

Mechanical Subteams

The mechanical team is made up of four subteams: Structural, Handling, Powertrain and Ergonomics. If you have not already, you will choose a subteam to work under. You are not bound to this team once you decide, so feel free to attend meetings for all teams to see what fits best.

  • Structural

    • Projects: Chassis, Aerodynamics, Bodywork, Floor and Firewall.

  • Handling

    • Projects: Suspension, Steering

  • Powertrain

    • Projects: Accumulator, Transmission, Motor Cooling

  • Ergonomics

    • Projects: Seat, Steering Wheel, Dashboard, Pedal Box,

Expectations of Members

We are a very large group of students all working towards the ambitious goal of building a new racecar every year. This means that we all need to accept the responsibility that comes with our respective roles. As a member of the mechanical team, you are expected to

  • Attend your system meeting and bay time every week

  • Come ready to learn and grow

  • Ask a lot of questions

  • Treat your fellow team members with respect and kindness

  • Be prepared to set aside about 5 hours to club work every week

    • Yes, this one is daunting, but this club will give you what you put into it. The time you spend here will provide you opportunities to grow as an engineer. Our engineers have a significant advantage in employment prospects due to the practical experience gained and engineering connections made through the effort they put forth.

What to Expect in Your First Semester

Before you can take on ownership of your own system, you’ll need to build the skills required to do so. For the first couple of weeks, you will complete an introductory project to introduce you to the tools and skills we mechanicals use to complete our work. Once your introductory project is completed, you will start to be assigned tasks, such as Component Design, Machining, Machine Toolpathing, Assembly, etc. The tasks you are assigned are determined by your chosen subteam, so if there is anything you are particularly interested in, let your team head know.

Introductory Project

As a part of your onboarding experience, you will be guided through the design and analysis of a brake pedal to get you acquainted with the software and skills you will need during your time in the club. You will learn how to go through the FSAE Rules to find the part requirements, design a part that meets both rules and performance characteristics, and ensure that we can actually make the part.

 

The project will be broken down into modules that you are to complete weekly, or as quickly as you wish. Your progress through each module will be tracked through a Google Docs page that you make, compiling all deliverables from each module. You will only be assigned tasks on your respective subteam once you have fulfilled all module deliverables, and your head has signed off on your completion. Below is a list of each module.

Module List

  1. Software and Application Guide

  2. Rules and Project Definition

  3. Solidworks Part Design

  4. Structural Analysis and Simulation

  5. Fabrication Methods and Machining