The challenge
Speed Composites, manufacturers of composite panels for race cars competing at tracks in North America, were looking to expand their product line: an innovative product that provides precise measurements of a vehicle’s chassis prior to a race. Competitive racing requires the measurement of the car’s chassis frame to determine an optimum adjustment for varying track conditions.
However, accurate digital measurement equipment is expensive, and most small racing teams have a team member lay on the ground with a tape measure and flashlight, taking their best guess at frame heights. Speed Composites looked to the Research & Innovation team to bring their product to market.
The result
The team, including student/staff researchers in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Design, and Computer Programming, utilized lasers plus a micro-laser sensor in order to determine the chassis measurements at different specified location on the car. The device is controlled by a user interface installed on a tablet or a smartphone via a custom app and Bluetooth communications.
The app allows the display of the recorded data from the sensor as well as being able to save and relay the data to other devices for further use.
This project is funded by the Niagara College-led Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) through Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) contributions.
Source: Niagara College’s Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre