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The paper is concerned with the design of joints for the construction of lightweight carbon fibre composite automobile spaceframes using a novel approach of multiple braided tubes. This technology known as CORETEX demonstrates the potential of using low cost carbon fibre braid for the manufacture of vehicle structures. The rigidity of vehicle body joints has a major influence on the torsional stiffness of automobile frames and the investigation of means to maximise this is the focus of this paper. An experimental and numerical analysis has been undertaken to investigate the stiffness and the failure modes of T-joints which represent a B-pillar connection. The experimental elements have been tested through in-plane bending in order to compare with finite element analysis (FEA) models.

The Aero-stable Carbon Car (ASCC) was the first full vehicle structure project of the UK government DTI program ‘Foresight Vehicle’. The project investigated the limitations to maximising fuel economy in a lightweight car manufactured in carbon fibre composite (CFC). The EPSRC Integrated Manufacturing initiative / industry funded project FastFrames is developing design understanding and materials / manufacturing technology for lightweight vehicle structure and components. Current lightweight composite vehicles such as racing cars use a monocoque, stressed skin design approach for both weight and manufacturing cost reasons. For passenger cars with large ‘cut-out’ areas for access, the approach of a space-frame supporting fairing panels offers the opportunity for a more efficient structure. It also offers the potential to incorporate localised loads from suspension, engine and door mounting, seats and seat belts more easily than for a thin section stressed skin approach.

The objective of this project is to modify an existing snowmobile to reduce emissions and noise while maintaining or improving performance. Existing technologies and commercially available products from various engineering fields have been combined to create a finished product that suits the objectives. Intake, engine, exhaust and body modifications have been made, such as high flow filters, ceramic coatings, turbocharger, catalytic after-treatment, cowl design, and implementation of an engine management system. The finished product is an easily manufactured snowmobile that meets these objectives and can be used in National Parks and other environmentally sensitive areas.

The objective of this project was to modify an existing snowmobile to reduce emissions and noise, while maintaining or improving performance. Existing technologies and commercially available products from various engineering fields have been combined to create a finished product that suits these objectives. A single-cylinder SI engine, intake, exhaust, as well as snowmobile body modifications were made, including high flow filters, ceramic coatings, catalytic after-treatment, cowl design, and implementation of an engine management system. The finished product is an easily manufactured snowmobile that meets these objectives and can be used in National parks and other environmentally sensitive areas.