Ho Chi Minh City To hear the roaring sound of the engine and the image of smoke when accelerating, the turns and collisions like on a real racetrack, Nguyen An Khai and many students had to invest and research to create realistic running models.
In early March, Cao Thang Technical College (District 1) launched the "Mini Car Racing" playground for students who are passionate about designing model cars inside and outside the school. Nguyen An Khai, a third-year student majoring in automotive engineering at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, and other members with the same passion signed up to try their hand.
The first thing to do for race participants is to design a car model. Khai and his friends attended 4 seminars to gain knowledge about mechanical design and programming control systems for cars. Combining the knowledge they learned, the group came up with ideas, designed the car on 3D software, tested the placement of the engine, steering system, transmission system, shock absorbers, etc. Then the group built a simulation environment to evaluate the car's performance before manufacturing.
The team conducted a test run to check the model's performance. After many adjustments to the drive shaft system and testing different types of vehicle supports, "it was only on the third version that the team felt most satisfied," Khai said.
To protect the drive shaft system, the team uses two side supports on the car. When the car is running at high rpm, the shaft will sag, so the support is needed to prevent the car from breaking the shaft. To increase the ability to move through rough areas or climb slopes, the team designed a two-axle car (two pull and push systems) on the four wheels. During the race, if one of the two axles fails, the remaining axle will pull or push to help the car operate.
Model cars powered by gasoline engines of students from universities and colleges in the South participated in the "Mini Car Racing" contest at Cao Thang Technical College on June 17. Photo: Ha An
Nguyen Tuan Thanh, a student majoring in mechatronics at Cao Thang Technical College, said that luckily, one of the group members had a relative who worked at a mechanical workshop in Bien Hoa (Dong Nai) and asked for help in the process of assembling the model. On weekends, the group rode motorbikes more than 30 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Nai to complete the vehicle.
According to the group, the material used to make the car is an important factor. If you choose aluminum, it is light but easily deformed when colliding with other cars or hitting the limit bars on the track. Therefore, the materials often chosen are iron and steel and are reasonably manufactured to better withstand the impact of the car.
In addition to mechanical design, according to Thanh, when operating a model car, it is necessary to optimize the control algorithm connecting the car and the smartphone. In case the control system is unstable, it can easily lead to delayed operations or even loss of connection and the inability to control the car. Compared to RF wave control, Thanh said that controlling a car with a smartphone connected to wifi is more difficult because it requires students to have programming knowledge and write code to complete the software running on the phone app.
Nguyen Tuan Thanh (left) and members next to the model car designed by the group. Photo: Ha An
Khai said the team installed additional antennas on the car to increase signal reception, ensure connectivity, improve the microcontroller circuit and optimize the software on the phone to reduce interference and increase vehicle control.
According to student groups, the cost of completing a model car depends on the materials, engine, design of parts... on average about 4 - 7 million VND. Although it takes a lot of time, money and effort, for Khai and the members, "the memorable experience is hearing the roaring sound of the engine along with the image of the car's smoke when accelerating, the turns and collisions between cars make you feel like you are on a real race track".
Model car racing is a playground organized by a number of universities and colleges for many years such as Cao Thang College, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Lac Hong University (Dong Nai)... Students are allowed to use gasoline engines with a capacity of less than 50 cm3, design model cars with a structure and operating principle similar to real cars with a minimum self-made ratio of 50% of the total car. The race track is designed with curves, obstacles, steep roads, rough roads... to challenge the car's performance.
According to Master Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, Head of the Department of Dynamic Mechanics, Cao Thang Technical College, model car racing playgrounds help students apply theoretical knowledge to practice, improve teamwork skills and grasp interdisciplinary knowledge. In addition to mechanical design, students must have knowledge of electrical circuit manufacturing, apply information technology knowledge to program control software on phones. Because interdisciplinary knowledge is needed to complete model cars, students must work in groups. "This process helps students learn a lot of new knowledge to support their future work," said Master Thanh.
Mr. Tran Quoc Toan, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Automobile and Power Equipment Association, assessed the model car playgrounds as places for young people to create car models. This is an important factor for students to get closer to the car manufacturing process.
According to Mr. Toan, normally with new graduates, sometimes businesses have to spend from 3 months to a year to train them to meet their needs. However, with practice time through model car playgrounds, students are trained in professional skills, helping businesses reduce training time and costs.
Model car racing playground organized by Lac Hong University in March. Video: Ha An
Ha An
Source link
Comment (0)