Sep 16, 2015 | By Tess

Southeast University in China, home of the SEU Liqui Moly Racing Team, has once again turned to 3D printing technology to help develop and improve their designs for formula cars.


The student administered SEU Liqui Moly Racing Team has, since its founding in 2013, been committed to the research, development, and production of formula racing cars. Last year, the team successfully participated in a student competition for racing cars within China as they won the award for fuel efficiency with their innovative car design dubbed the first generation "Gazelle" car. The Gazelle car was especially notable for the incorporation of 3D printed parts into its design, as well as its advanced design concepts.

Now, the 2015 racing season has begun to take off, and racing teams from all over China and abroad are working hard to present the most innovative and impressive racecar designs. Of the 79 teams that will participate, Liqui Moly continues to stand out as they work to develop the second generation of the "Gazelle" Sprint car, once again using additive manufacturing.

Liqui Moly team 2014 race intake manifold and 3D printed racing parts

Just as last year, Liqui Moly's research and development for the next generation of "Gazelle" is being sponsored by Shining 3D, a 3D printing company based in Hangzhou, China. Significantly, Shining 3D is helping the students to design a new and improved 3D printed design for the engine's intake manifold, which carries a mixture of air and fuel to the vehicle's cylinders, as well as an additively manufactured brake pedal.


On October 18, 2014, Liqui moly team won the award for fuel efficiency for their "Gazelle" racecar

Typically, intake manifolds and brake pedals are designed with functionality in mind and have consequently tended to be heavy pieces with high power consumption. The 3D printed parts, however, manufactured using nylon SLS powder sintering, are lightweight while still maintaining their material strength. The formula car design does not only benefit from the lightweight advantage of 3D printing the parts, however, as the smoothly manufactured products, especially of the intake manifold, cut down on drag and make the car increasingly aerodynamic. Liqui Moly have also shortened the overall design of the intake manifold, resulting in a greatly increased volume of the power chamber, and an increase in the engine output.

Liqui Moly have stated the additional following improvements for their second generation of "Gazelle": an integrated wheel and cage design to make the car more compact; the addition of a complete aerodynamic package; better steering, suspension geometry and innovative mechanical design; and four-piston calipers to help increase brake power.


3D printed intake manifold and the brake pedal for the second generation "Gazelle"

The ceremony for the launch of their new car will take place in September at the Southeast University's Jiulonghu campus. There, the Liqui Moly Racing team will divulge more details on their new "Gazelle" formula car design. At 3Ders we are looking forward to the launch of the new "Gazelle" and anticipate more prizes for the innovative use of 3D printing in the car's design.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Applications

 

 

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