10 replies to this topic

[Mini 360]

Ello!

 

I am currently undergoing my HNC in Mechanical Engineering (evening classes are just great...  ).  After summer I will be moving onto my HND and as part of this I need to complete a design project for my graded unit.  This can be on anything we want, provided it takes into account stuff like torque, pneumatics, dynamics, statics strength of materials, thermofluids etc or a combination of as many or as few as we want.  Pretty cool project really.

 

I obviously want to do my project on something Mini related.  Problem is, I don’t know what to select!  My thoughts so far are a blow through supercharger setup (as ultimately I want to do this on my car), a selector mechanism that makes a standard Mini gearbox into a semi-auto/sequential gearbox or a front engine/RWD Hayabusa conversion.

 

So are there any ideas out there for what I could potentially do for my project?  Im weeeeeell ahead of the game thinking about it now but would be good to have a rough plan going forward so I know what’s involved J

 

 

[purple_fly06]

Hmm I'm just in the last few months of my HND, I did my project in HNC (i think its a level 4? Unless it's changed).

 

Anyway If you want to do a supercharger set up that sounds cool, but for mechanical i would look at designing relevant pipes and fixtures to do this set up.

 

Looking at things like materials that can be used, cost implications etc. Also look at fasteners and torques required on certain bolt sizes e.g. how many will be required to get the desired clamping force, what grade can be used, materials...

 

When it comes to the pipework it would be a good idea to fully model the components, produce drawings and get quotes from a few fabricators. Perhaps do some CFD analysis to see if the desired flows are being achieved or if they can be improved taking notes for your project along the way (pick up on errors and correct them).

 

Then once its all done and works, give me the drawings so i can supercharge my mini   .

[Mini 360]

Hmm I'm just in the last few months of my HND, I did my project in HNC (i think its a level 4? Unless it's changed).

 

Anyway If you want to do a supercharger set up that sounds cool, but for mechanical i would look at designing relevant pipes and fixtures to do this set up.

 

Looking at things like materials that can be used, cost implications etc. Also look at fasteners and torques required on certain bolt sizes e.g. how many will be required to get the desired clamping force, what grade can be used, materials...

 

When it comes to the pipework it would be a good idea to fully model the components, produce drawings and get quotes from a few fabricators. Perhaps do some CFD analysis to see if the desired flows are being achieved or if they can be improved taking notes for your project along the way (pick up on errors and correct them).

 

Then once its all done and works, give me the drawings so i can supercharge my mini   .

The HNC I'm doing is just the theory behind thermofluids, dynamics, statics etc and HND is more the application of the knowledge in a practical way, which appeals WAY more to me.  Working out an answer for the sake of working out an answer doesn't motivate me at all...

 

Yup, for the charger kit I want to do the whole thing.  So that will include pipework using CFD, the torque gains/transfer through the pulleys etc.  Want to do it as accurate as possible so I can build it for real if I want to :)  Creating models and drawings is easy as I'm a draughtsman by trade and have access to CAD at work.

 

Few other ideas are tubular front or rear subframes (different materials, cost differences etc), pneumatic/hydraulic race jacks, air suspension using standard mounting points.

[Midas Mk1]

Sequential shifter sounds awesome! Air Ride fabrication maybe? 

[Mini 360]

Sequential shifter sounds awesome! Air Ride fabrication maybe? 

Just had a look and its already been done  Air ride is a potential as well as I would love to do that on my car.  Yes, there are air ride kits available for Minis BUT they need special arms on the front which are ugly and a bit 'backyard' in appearance.

[Woody6891]

Anything flow related, you can write loads about. So your supercharger idea or general air intake path (optimised cold air intake), 

 

For materials wise, there are companies that now do metal 3D printing with a scaffolding type structure inside to improve strength. If you wanted to look at subframe design, that could be a good little project - reducing weight etc. 

[Mini 360]

Anything flow related, you can write loads about. So your supercharger idea or general air intake path (optimised cold air intake), 

 

For materials wise, there are companies that now do metal 3D printing with a scaffolding type structure inside to improve strength. If you wanted to look at subframe design, that could be a good little project - reducing weight etc. 

Another thought was brake cooling ducts, feeding off the grille or little scoops under the front valence.  Again, lots to be investigated with flow there.  

 

I know my college have a 3D printer so it could be handy for stuff like that, just a shame it doesnt print metal

[coopdog]

I'm just finishing my HND in Motorsport engineering in Swansea and it's anything but practical haha

[brownspeed]

what about

torsion arm rear suspension?

design (incl heat transfer through) modified (i.e. different) oil cooler or radiator?

quick release engine mount system

don't make your life 2 difficult!

[Cooperman]

There is a topic which could meet all the requirements, but it is not Mini related. It is the possible use of small gas turbine engines in cars & commercial vehicles.
A small gas-turbine may be suitable for the on-board generator power source combined with the electric drive units and regenerative braking.
A small gas turbine could be lighter and more thermally efficient than an IC engine.
It would be an interesting project.

[bitsilly]

Air speed flow controlled downforce measures, like an adjustable spoiler/splitter?

Signal generators on each wheel which when out of kilter cut the ignition spark (ie ABS/traction control)?

Pneumatic gull wing doors?

Lateral parking on supplemental wheels or otherwise?

Energy recovery system to power your Hyabusa car reversing.

What about a custom 2 or 4 post lift for you mini (or scissor lift/hoist etc.) If you have a garage?

Or Cheech and Chong suspension?

 

Nice problem to have!