Autosports 8Pp A4.Indd
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Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment ENGINEERING, AUTOMOTIVE AND MOTORSPORTS NEWS BRIEF 2011 The automotive and motorsports industry is a vital element in the development of the UK economy and will undoubtedly continue to play a substantial role in the years to come. The industry boasts a combined turnover of £52 billion, employs more than 180,000 personnel and reports for the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) and The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) who report that more than 30 companies manufacture one million automobiles and commercial vehicles in the UK. Would it surprise you to learn that “As the UK rapidly accelerates to a developing links and partnerships the UK has more specialist sports fully fledged knowledge economy it is with local and global engineering car manufacturers than any other essential that academia is constantly organisations, professional bodies country in Europe? aware and working towards the and industry experts to develop the needs of traditional and emerging Engineers for the 21st Century.” • In the motorsports sector alone industries. It is essential that there are eight Formula One academic programmes, especially in teams based here, supported engineering, are tightly integrated with by more than 300 specialist the requirements of industry working companies who, between them, hand-in-hand to develop students who employ almost 50,000 people. will be the next generation of human • The UK motor industry is capital with the knowledge to tackle built on solid foundations and the technical challenges of the future. is looking forward to a strong Birmingham City University’s School of Parmjit Chima, Head of Engineering future. The sector is currently Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Design and Manufacturing Systems driving technological change Systems is rising to this challenge to increase fuel efficiency and develop alternative fuels to reduce CO2 emissions that will meet the governments global environmental agenda. Birmingham City University is at the fore when it comes to innovations and development in these increasingly important fields. Parmjit Chima, Head of Engineering Birmingham City University’s Driftcar and Formula Student Car Design and Manufacturing Systems, says LOW CARBON VEHICLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Birmingham City University’s Low • Fuel Flexibility and Emissions symposium has regularly attracted Carbon Vehicle Group is participating Control of Heavy Diesel Engines an international audience and high in a number of low carbon vehicle • Optimal Control of Diesel Powertrain quality presentations from industry initiatives with industry and other Emissions using EGR and VGT and academia. A number of the research organisations within its • Advanced Model-Based Transient papers are given by former students Engine Research and Development EGR Control of the University’s unique Masters Laboratory. Ongoing research • Development of Electric level course in Automotive Calibration programmes within the Group include; Turbocharger for Improved and Control. Driveability • Development of a Hybrid Powertrain • Open ECU Development for Control Architecture Emissions Control • Development of an SCR Control System for Heavy Duty Diesel The School of Engineering, Design Engines and Manufacturing Systems hosted • Development of Safety Critical its fourth Advanced Powertrain Metrics for Powertrain Controls Control Symposium on 24 November 2010. Held every two years the Students working in University Engine Test cells A FORMULA STUDENT EXPERIENCE AT SILVERSTONE Our second year BSc Motorsports Course Director David Jones said gain the experience and understanding Technology students enjoyed a taste “...not only did the students get the of what it takes to design, build and of life in the fast lane when they opportunity to build and develop a race a car to exact regulations. Apart built and raced their own car at car as part of their degree course, from the networking aspect of the day, the legendary Silverstone track in they enjoyed first-hand experience all the students who attended got to Northamptonshire, UK. at one of the most famous race tracks race the car around Silverstone. in the world.” How many people can say they’ve It was the first time Birmingham sped around the home of the British City University had entered the Students also had the opportunity Grand Prix in a car they designed and prestigious Formula Student of being headhunted by the world’s built themselves?” said David. competition, organised by the Institute leading engineering brands who of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and attended the event looking for the Birmingham City University Formula Student Team at Silverstone July 2010, (l-r) Jack Woodhouse, David Jones (Course Director – with more than 2,000 students from graduate employees of the future. sitting down), James Harris, Martin Young (seated) David Parker 23 countries entering the contest this Marc Wood, Craig McKenzie and David Tulett “Ross Brawn, Principal Engineer for year, the competition was very stiff. the Mercedes F1 Team, is Patron of the IMechE uses the event to promote Formula Student programme, which excellence in engineering by gives you an idea of the sort of contacts challenging students to design, build, our students have had the opportunity develop, market and compete as a to make through the project.” team with a small single-seater racing “It’s the thing to do if you want to be car, which is then raced around the noticed by the motorsport industry and track. SECOND CENTURY OF INNOVATION FOR REYNOLDS TECHNOLOGY LTD A passion for high-performance Over the years, the Reynolds brand has competitiveness, productivity and engineering, combined with the become an integral part of the cycling performance. A KTP achieves this knowledge and experience to meet industry and their products continue through the forming of a partnership and exceed varying customer needs, to set the standard in this and many between a business, an academic has given Reynolds Technology the other industries including aviation, institution (such as university, further edge for over 100 years. motorsports, sporting goods and education college or research and leisure. The planned collaboration will technology organisation), enabling The Birmingham-based company has take the company’s world renowned access to skills and expertise that recently started a short Knowledge unique materials and tubular expertise will help the business develop. Transfer Partnership (KTP) together with University design programme with Birmingham City The knowledge sought is embedded capabilities and develop new design University to support the company into the business from the knowledge services. These services are focused through a second century of Innovation. base (University) through a project, on opportunities associated with or projects, undertaken by a The new Research and Development Motorsport and high performance recently qualified person (known as programme provides the company engineering sectors. the Associate) who is recruited to with access to advanced 3D Design Knowledge Transfer Partnerships specifically work on the project. KTP systems, motorsports technologies (KTP) is a UK-wide programme programmes can vary in length from and expertise that are based at the enabling businesses to improve their six months to three years depending University. on the needs of the business and the desired outcomes. KTP enables new capability to be embedded into the business and continues to benefit a wide range of businesses across many sectors, including micro, SME and large businesses. The University’s School of Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Systems has KTP programmes running with Morgan Motor Company, STS Rail Ltd, Malthouse Engineering Ltd, (l-r) Paul Booth, Keith Noronha, Dr Tim Burden and Hadi Moztarzadeh – Members Reynolds Technology Ltd, J Banks Ltd of the Reynolds Technology and Birmingham City University’s KTP Team and Glasscoat International Ltd. 2 CAN YOU REALLY BUILD A PEDAL CAR BY HAND, IN ONE HOUR? Our students from the School of top pedal car drivers: Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Jes Featherstone of the European Systems proved that not only is it Championship Team car, Rob Fulford possible, but that they could build a of the British Championship Team quality vehicle that could hold its own car and Alan Goodman of the in a race. Goodmaniacs Team. Challenged by Channel Five’s The “What a ride and what a great team,” Gadget Show, the nine engineering he said, when the programme was students helped the programme’s four aired. “The build quality, the design The Gadget Show pedal car built in an hour presenters, Suzi Perry, Jason Bradbury, and the hands-on driving characteristics Jon Bentley and Ortis Deley, to make of The Gadget Show pedal car were sure they finished the task in time. bang on.” Once completed, their pedal car was Parmjit Chima, Head of the University’s put through its paces in a race against School of Engineering, Design and three other vehicles at the Birmingham Manufacturing Systems, said: “This Wheels track. was a fantastic effort by the engineering students, who all stepped up to the The finished article impressed Jason challenge to design and build a pedal Bradbury, who sat behind the wheel of The Gadget Show Presenter Suzi Perry, with race car in a tight schedule with great the pedal car and raced against three Birmingham City University Pedal Car Challenge Team enthusiasm and commitment.” ENGINEERING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT