Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

[B4NE1]

I'm currently in Mechanical Engineering Technology at SAIT and in my last semester I have a design project where I have to design and possibly make something. That something hasn't been decided yet and I'm looking for ideas that could apply to the world of VW. So far I've thought of a low profile jack so you don't have to put your car on wood or ramps to get a normal jack under it. Also electrically adjustable coil overs for people who hate airbags but want the ability to adjust height whenever. So if you've ever said to yourself "Hey if I had something like this it would make my life a lot easier." Post that something here and maybe I'll make it. Opinions are much appreciated.

Thanks all.

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

Make MechEngg a jack that he can use to lift his car when his battery dies.

[MechEngg]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

Electrically adjustable coilovers will most likely not work, i have thought about it before and with the amount of torque you need to keep everything in place along with the RPMs and worm gear are just begging for something to break over the first bump you take.

But a low profile jack to go under a completely aired out vehicle spikes my interest

PS screw you Colin

Other ideas could be with servo motors for headlight adjustments using a self make logic controller and taking data from level actuators on all 4 corners of your vehicle? Essentially your own set of auto levelling headlights. Or even just attached to a rheostat for up/down adjustments. It would be quite easy to do the calcs for torques and then figuring out the most accurate way to place the motors to allow for the most precise aiming. Then you could make a sensitivity switch to make the lights adjust faster or slower. This would combine both electronics, controls and mechanics.

[B4NE1]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

Ya in principal the coil overs work but in reality is another story, gonna try to make one and test it in Solidworks once I know more about the program. I like the idea of the levelling headlights. It would show a good use of multiple systems and would probably get a good mark. The jack is probably too simple to get a good mark on so I may just try to make one on my own time.

[Kor]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

Adjustable spacers!

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

Adjustable spacers!

Don't forget the adjustable length bolts too!

[MechEngg]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

Don't forget the adjustable length bolts too!

You mean a stud conversion kit?

[Classic E]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

I have always thought it would be cool to design a "Fitment tool" almost like an adjustable wheel so you can change the offsets and width so you can "test fit" them before actually ordering or making the wheel themselves.

[witchcraftz]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

VW power folding mirror motors retrofit kit.

[miketweedie]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

cupholder that works?

[Stonewall]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

I have always thought it would be cool to design a "Fitment tool" almost like an adjustable wheel so you can change the offsets and width so you can "test fit" them before actually ordering or making the wheel themselves.

I actually like this idea. You could do that in a theme with a jack and some other small marketable tools.

[Classic E]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

Yea I figure even specialty wheel and tire shops could carry them. I dunno something to think about I guess.

[bonfire]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

I have thought about that adjustable space thing.

When I was in MechTech at NAIT, I did a little bit of design work on it in cad. But abandoned it, mainly out of boredom and moved on.

[Kor]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

Something like this for test fitting wheels seems to already exist

http://www.vipstylecars.com/forums/s...ctly-in-thread!

[onceover]

Re: Final Design Project for a MechEng student.

Something like this for test fitting wheels seems to already exist

http://www.vipstylecars.com/forums/s...ctly-in-thread!

Except those are for actually running your wheels, not just test fitting. Sketchy