This is the first look at AR-10 Electra’s chassis. Our main goal is to have every person working on the car be able to drive without serious modifications. This was done by creating a rules compliant front roll hoop section as well as ensuring the suspension parts will not become a visual impairment down the road. Besides having the front section low enough for everyone to see, we also had to ensure that the seat is mounted in such a place that it is comfortable but yet rules compliant with the rear roll hoop. We also had to design around our safe, but comparatively bulky Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries which resulted in the long sidepods. The structure was designed in Solidworks and evaluated with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software. In places that more strength is not needed during racing, we are able to use thinner tubing and predict where these places are in solidworks.

We used MIG and TIG welding in the manufacture to speed up the process. At nodes with larger gaps in fitment, we used the mig welder and in small gaps and tight fitting places we used the tig welder for more precise and less volume welds. After the majority of the welding is done and some small chassis changes the overall weight of the chassis is 94lbs. We’re in the process of welding the suspension on to the chassis and look forward to seeing all of you at the Winter Design Review.