Drexel Electric Racing Relies on SolidCAM to Create End-Use Parts for Race Cars

Training in additive manufacturing is essential in order to ensure that those working in a wide variety of fields are at the forefront of current technological advances. For this reason, many companies in the market have educational offerings for all those interested in adopting 3D printing, regardless of the industry they are targeting. A clear example of this is in the automotive sector, where the Drexel Electric Racing team has participated in the “SolidCAM Additive Challenge”. This is a challenge in which aspiring university engineers have access to the latest 3D printing technologies in order to optimize their production processes. Thanks to this, the students were able to create final parts for their race car that will participate in Formula SAE competitions.

The Drexel Electric Racing team is mainly dedicated to the manufacturing of electric race cars. Formed by a group of students, they carry out the entire production of the vehicles, from design to manufacturing and subsequent quality testing. Once the construction process is completed, the all-electric, single-seat race car is taken to a competition in Michigan and used to compete against other university teams in FSAE events. These types of competitions encourage the use of new technologies by younger generations. Here, undergraduate and graduate students learn to conceive, design, produce and race small formula-style vehicles. Now, thanks to SolidCAM’s training and solutions, the Drexel Electric Racing team has been able to explore the possibilities of metal 3D printing, creating final parts for their single-seater race car.

Peter Genovese with a group of students

Drexel Electric Racing’s Use of 3D Printing

When competing in an SAE event, the final cost, the technology used and the design of the models, as well as the functionality of the vehicle, must be taken into account. Through the SolidCAM Additive Challenge proposed by the company, students have access to additive manufacturing solutions, as well as guidance in solving any type of problem they may encounter. This broadens their vision of manufacturing to approach it in a new way, eliminating the limitations of traditional methods. As a result, the Drexel Electric Racing team were able to go to SolidCAM’s hybrid manufacturing center in Newtown, Pennsylvania, to create final parts for their race car. To do so, they had a budget of $1,000 in material costs.