Amount of funding awarded
11400
Budget Report
View budget report.
How the program has supported you
While our team’s primary goal is to build and design an off-road vehicle to compete in the international SAE Baja Collegiate Design Series, this entire process is intended to provide a practical learning environment to develop relevant engineering skills. Receiving PAF funding has allowed us to fund a four-wheel drive vehicle design, which means that experience gained by members during this cycle will be more widely applicable in both the on and off road automotive industries. This system features new, complex components that were not previously designed, including a differential and portals. We also designed and manufactured a brand new chassis, gearbox, and all new suspension components for a different suspension geometry, with the material and manufacturing costs supported by PAF. Our completed vehicle will be raced in competition in 2023, and it will be further developed in the following year to improve performance and competition outcomes.
Outcomes
While our team was unable to participate in the annual competition in Louisville due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19, we continued to virtually develop our vehicle’s design and began manufacturing in anticipation of next year’s competition. Each member on our team of 31 students was directly involved in the design cycle, from concept generation, to CAD modelling, and physical manufacturing, with senior members mentoring and providing lessons to further develop the skills of new members. The direct benefit for students includes SolidWorks licenses, workshop access, and access to the cumulative knowledge-base of members, which supplements theoretical knowledge obtained in the classroom. Long term benefits include learning advanced SolidWorks design and simulation techniques, as well as experience manufacturing components which develops students ability to design for manufacture and assembly. Furthermore, UBC Baja strives to emulate professional practices, leaving students with knowledge of industry standards and professional communication skills.