Final Design

       This week the group worked on the construction of the solar car structure. The group specifically focused on building the center support system that is meant to not only hold up the solar panel, but also to secure the soda can required for the competition. There are pictures listed below to display the groups current progress.

Construction Update

        During this week's lab, progress was made in regards to the construction of the chassis. The group utilized the ProEngineer drawings to aid in the measurements of the cuts. Using the table saw, razor blade, and knife present in the lab room, cuts were made to the frame of the Solar Car. The material used as the basis of the frame was balsa wood. Because of the cuts made to the chassis, the group was now able to begin building the gear box of the Solar Car. During the construction of the frame design, the group also discovered an online article that could be used in the continued construction of the Solar Car. The link for this source is listed below.  Images of the updated design and the table saw used to make the cuts are also posted below.

<http://www.nrel.gov/docs/gen/fy01/30828.pdf>

Figure 1- The image above is a picture of the table saw used for the cuts.

Figure 2- The image above is a picture of the lateral view of the updated design.

Figure 3- The image above is a picture of the frontal view of the updated design.

Project Materials

Materials included in pre-ordered package:

• Balsa Wood - 2 
• Gears of various sizes
• Solar Panel - 1
• Alligator Clips -2
• Pitsco GT-F Wheels - 2
• Pitsco GT-R Wheels - 2
• Screw Eyes - 2
• Wide Rubber-bands - 2
• No. 14 Rubber-bands - 2
• Plastic Gear Front - 1
• Steel Axles - 2
• Nylon Spacers
• No. 280 Motor

Additional Materials:

   -Still deciding on what material to hold down the 

    aluminum soda can during the race

   -Motor Mount:

          *idea to create a divot in the wood underneath the 

            motor to act as a cradle to the motor

          *1 side of the motor connected to the gear box and 

            the other side linked to an external attachment mechanism

Project Deliverables

The group will have a vehicle that is both aerodynamic and lightweight. The vehicle will also be powered by a solar panel giving the motor power. 

Project Budget

Price of solar car kit- $57.00
Miscellaneous(Projected)- $20.00

Problem Overview

The group must design and construct a vehicle to compete in the Philadelphia Junior Solar Sprint Open Division. The group is to build the vehicle using a Ray Catcher Sprint Kit, and can only have light adsorbed from the solar panel power the motor of the vehicle.