The 2020 China Formula Student Competition has recently ended in Xiangyang, Hubei. The electric team of the School of Automobile of Tongji University won the championship in the tram group. As a team sponsor, Evonik provided 3D printed flame-retardant nylon 12 powder and ROHACELL lightweight foam materials for the new DIAN Racing 2020 car that won the championship for the manufacture of body and parts. During the design process, Evonik also provided technical guidance for the team.
In the new car design for the 2020 University Student Formula Electric Car Competition this year, the team members of the Tongji Electric Team combined many ideas and decided to use ROHACELL ultra-lightweight rigid foam for car body manufacturing, as well as the battery module frame and controller housing structure. The idea of using flame-retardant nylon 12 material and 3D printing technology to complete the manufacturing of parts was proposed. 3D printed parts can not only realize the design and manufacture of complex structures, but also effectively reduce the weight of the car body. It also has advantages in terms of processing cycle and cost.
Evonik provided 3D printed flame-retardant nylon 12 powder and ROHACELL lightweight foam materials for the DIAN Racing 2020 race car of Tongji Electric Team for the manufacture of car bodies and parts.
After fully understanding the design ideas of the team, Evonik formulated corresponding product solutions as soon as possible. INFINAM PA 6004 P with high strength, excellent flame retardancy and high processing precision becomes the best choice. This material is used to manufacture many parts of DIAN Racing 2020, including battery components, electronic control systems, body aerodynamics kits, cooling systems, etc. For example, the module frame made by 3D printing technology can reduce the overall weight by 1000 grams, meet the V0 flame retardant level, and provide good protection for the battery; the empty keel can reduce the weight of the same part by 15%, and has good mechanics And anti-fatigue performance; the front compartment of the battery box realizes a complex layout structure with good flame retardancy and good mechanical properties.
Mr. Hong Fuchao, Product Line Director of Evonik’s High-Performance Polymer Functional Materials, said: “Evonik has a long history of cooperation with the Tongji Electric Team. The team has used ROHACELL materials in the car body design many times. This year, we will expand our cooperation to 3D printed parts. The excellent performance of the fleet has demonstrated the many advantages of additive manufacturing in automotive applications, including manufacturing efficiency, lightweight design, performance optimization, etc. In the future, we look forward to closer cooperation with the fleet and explore more The possibility of multi-material application."
Tongji Electric Racing Team is a student Formula E team from Tongji University in Shanghai. It focuses on the design and manufacture of high-standard electric racing cars and participates in international Formula Student events. Evonik has sponsored the Tongji Electric team since 2016 to further explore product applications and support the younger generation in automotive design
Innovative practices in manufacturing. In the cooperation, Evonik is responsible for providing industry knowledge and related materials, and the team is responsible for creative development.