At Formula Student, teams of students from all over the world compete against each other by designing and manufacturing a single-seat prototype of a formula race car on the basis of a design order. In the competition, the technical development of the vehicle, the associated business plan and the appropriate marketing concept for small series production of the vehicle developed by them are evaluated by a jury. The team with the best overall package of design, race performance, financial planning and the best marketing strategy will be the overall winner. The participation combines the theory of the course of study with the first practical experiences in product and project management as well as in strategic management. In the meantime the teams can participate in twelve competitions in the field of the "Formula Student Competition" and now also in the fields of "Formula Student Electric" (FDE) and "Formula Student Driverless" (FSD).
emtechnik has been a sponsor of the TU Darmstadt Racing Team e.V. for many years. (DART). This is a merger of a non-profit association with a university group from TU Darmstadt, which is dedicated to the promotion of science, research and education in the field of vehicle construction. The association is supported by the provision of products and the passing on of the know-how of many employees and experts of the respective specialist fields and companies.
At the beginning of the project in 2019, the students of TU Darmstadt met with the technical director and two trainees from EM-Technik GmbH. The design plan of 2018 was taken as a basis and further developed in discussions. As this is an electronically operated racing car, the tightness of the installed products in the cooling circuit is of primary importance. The team quickly decided to use the emtechnik quick release couplings, which ensure a fast and tight filling of the car. A flexible and pressure-resistant hose should also be used to cool the motor. It should also be transparent so that the filling process can be monitored better.
After the discussion, the required products were produced by emtechnik and made available to the Dart Racing Team for the first tests.
Currently the Dart Racing Team is working on the design of the car for FDE and FSD. Unfortunately, the FS car could not be used last year. The team may therefore reuse this car in the next races. Here they will only work on the optimisation and detail improvement of the prototype.
During a visit to TU Darmstadt, the technical director and the trainees of EM-Technik GmbH were presented with the current status of the project. The chassis of the electric car currently consists of a carbon fibre material. Final assembly is still pending. In parallel, they are working on the cooling system in which emtechnik products are used. As discussed, the 3T barb connectors were connected with a silicone hose and filled with distilled water via the quick release couplings and emptied again. The connectors are also used in the battery of the electric motor.
The visit was a special experience for the employees of EM-Technik GmbH. We wish the Dart Racing Team the best of luck in the upcoming races!
