LMS

VDS GROEP T Frameteam

The frame is the backbone of the car. It has several functions to fulfill, and thereby requirements of many kinds. Because of this, there are many materials, approaches and objectives possible for the frame. We do not necessarily want to make the stiffest, the strongest or even the cheapest frame. No, we want to make the frame that helps the car to have a minimal life cycle impact. Of course, we do have to take in mind that this frame has to be producible, affordable and reliable, but our main goal is the minimization of the life cycle impact.

Last year, the frame team focused on the conventional materials of steel and aluminum. We had to learn new software, solve complex engineering problems, and develop our �soft skills�. But after a year of hard work, we�ve had the chance to make our frame come to life at a company in Torino. What we accomplished last summer was really a once in a lifetime experience. It gives an amazing feeling to construct the frame you�ve conceptualized, designed and calculated for a whole year long.

We did a great job, but we can do better. This year we will design an aluminum frame more in detail and produce it for our next prototype. Beside this, we will investigate what the potential is for other materials and/or approaches. This feasibility study will be difficult because ,many parameters are uncertain, but we are making good progress. As a result of this study, we will be able to decide which direction we should take in the future. The central question of this research is: �With our design, which material in what kind of structure will result in the lowest life cycle impact, and what are the consequences?�

Californian student up to the rescue!

Submitted by Arthur Vijghen on November 21, 2008 - 5:25pm.

This month, Eric Van Gelder, a recent graduate from the University of California, Davis, joined us to share his expertise. He is currently traveling around the world having just been to Uganda and preparing for more adventures in Asia. At UC Davis, Eric got a master's degree in mechanical engineering and developed a prototype super efficient commuter vehicle, the Pedal Electric Tricycle (PET) Project. He also worked for a year at the Institute of Transportation Studies as a researcher developing energy use of models of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Here at GROEP T Eric has been specifying and sourcing the battery pack for the VISION GT. The advanced lithium iron phospate pack will weigh less than 200 kg and will be able to propell the vehicle more than 100 km per charge and to a total of more than 200000 km over its lifetime. Eric will continue to work with us after he leaves via his laptop, modeling the VISION GT in Imagine.Lab, vehicle modeling software from LMS, to perfect the powertrain design and devleop a controlls system before building it.

Arthur Vijghen's blog

Partners

Our project is only possible with the help of financial and material sponsors. We are proud to show the companies and organisations that support VDS GROEP T Team in particular:

- Official Partners -
VDS GROEP T Official Partners

- VDS GROEP T Supporters -

- Research Partners -
VDS GROEP T Advisors

- VDS GROEP T Media Partners - VDS GROEP T Mediapartners

Altair Engineering

Innovation Intelligence

Website: www.altair.com

Eurocarbon

Advanced fibre braiding and weaving technology

Website: www.eurocarbon.nl

Facom

Pro For Life

Website: www.facom.be

Flanders Drive

Your partner in engineering and testing for the automotive industry

Website: www.flandersdrive.be

Ford Beckers

Website: www.beckersmotors.be

GROEP T

Educing Essence by Experiencing Existence

Website: www.groept.be

Helena.be

Communicatie & visualisatie

Website: www.helena.be

HP

Invent

Website: www.hp.be

KU Leuven

Website: www.kuleuven.be

Engineering Innovation

Website: www.lmsintl.com

Makita

Made by professionals, for professionals

Website: www.makita.be

Materialise

Driving your innovations

Website: www.materialise.com

MOLS Huurwagens

Website: www.mols.be

PsiControl Mechatronics

Website: www.psicontrol.com

Solico

Solutions in composites

Solico is an engineering company specialized in the design and development of fiber reinforced products. For over 15 years we have developed numerous successful composite products for our customers. Our designs are focused on lightweight transport equipment, marine and defense, sport equipment, lightweight machinery parts and pressure- or storage vessels.

Being one of the biggest composite engineering companies in the Benelux, our success is based on a combination of good design capabilities in combination with a lot of �hands on� experience.

Solico is fully independent of any material supplier or composite producer. In this way, we can provide our customer the best possible design with an optimal choice of process and material.

Website: www.solico.nl