Titanium Donation to Harding University’s Baja Bison Team

This is the first year we’ve been able to support Harding University’s Baja SAE team, Baja Bison. Zach Charette, Co-Captain of the team, gives some insight below as to why they chose titanium and any issues the team ran into. We wish them all the best as they go into the competition phase.

Harding University Gearbox Output Shaft

 

PTG: Tell me a bit about your team and your role on it. What kind of experience have you gained being a part of the Baja SAE program?

Zach: The Harding University Bison Baja team is a relatively young team, competing in its first competition in 2013.  However, this team has grown tremendously throughout the 7 years of competing.  This tight knit group of peers is willing to work hard and have fun while doing it.  I was the 2019-2020 Co-Captain of the team and recently elected to be the 2020-2021 Captain.  I was also in charge of the research and development and manufacturing side of our operation.  During the 2018-2019 competition season, I was the brake system lead.  Throughout my 3 years on the team, I have gained wonderful experience in problem solving and overcoming challenges.  The Baja SAE program has provided me with industry insight that, otherwise, I would not have.  I am grateful for the knowledge and friendships gained through this program.

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Titanium Donation for Northwestern Baja Racing

We’ve had the privilege of working with Northwestern Baja Racing team for the second year in a row. They may not be racing this year but they gained some valuable experience machining our donated titanium before having to put their build on hold. JD Slattery is the new Project Manager for the team and he explains why they chose titanium again and some minor difficulties they ran into.

Northwestern Baja Racing [Read more…]

Titanium Donation Provides Valuable Practice for Chico State’s Baja SAE Team

SAE competitions look a little different this year with the COVID19 pandemic. All in-person competitions were cancelled and some were moved to an online platform. With state restrictions and lock-downs, Universities across the country had to cancel classes and students were prevented from continuing work on their vehicles. However, before the lock-downs, some teams were able to start the machining and building process. Perry Cheney from Chico SAE Baja’s team, Wildcat Racing, explains the process of machining the titanium and how they were able to get valuable practice before working on and completing their own parts. [Read more…]

Material Donation for San Jose State University Baja SAE Team

This is the first year we’ve been able to work with SJSU’s Baja SAE Team. We provided them with 6AL-6V-2SN 3.6500″ Dia and 4.0560″ Dia. It’s exciting to see everything they’ve done with it and how it has benefited the vehicle and the team this year. Lauren Cook, a Mechanical Engineering Major, tells us a little about the team and how the used the titanium to their advantage.

San Jose State University SAE Baja Team Photo
San Jose State University SAE Baja Team Photo

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Material Donation to Northwestern Formula Racing

For several years now, we’ve been happy to support the SAE Formula Racing team over at Northwestern University. Molly Mudget, one of the main team members working with the titanium, lets us know how their year went and how they did in competition.

Northwestern Formula Racing Team & Car Photo
The Northwestern Formula Racing Team unveiling NFR19 before this year’s competition.

Every year since 2008, Northwestern Formula Racing (NFR) has participated at an international level in an inter-collegiate SAE competition with an open-wheeled, motorcycle-engine powered road racing car. Throughout the school year we raise funds for, design, build, test, and eventually race the formula style car. The team has been using titanium for at least 6 years, and this year Performance Titanium Group provided NFR with a sponsorship.

We use titanium to construct the lever arms of the Anti-Roll Bar (ARB), a component of the suspension system that serves as system of springs to reduce body roll of the vehicle while cornering. Titanium is an optimal material for this because the ARB needs to meet a specific target stiffness and titanium has both a desirable strength-to-weight ratio and spring constant while meeting this stiffness requirement. The use of titanium allows us to adjust the ARB after assembly on the car in order to change the cornering abilities depending on the driver’s needs.

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PERFORMANCE TITANIUM GROUP: A CUT ABOVE THE REST