1, Formula Student
Formula Student is a global car racing series for higher education students that offers a real engineering challenge for participants. Competitors not only have to design and build a race car but also develop a complete business concept around the car. The competition tests not only their technical knowledge but also their presentation skills and business acumen. One standout Hungarian team is the BME FRT, which was founded in early 2007 by several talented engineering students and has achieved excellence at an international level.
2, The cooperation
The cooperation between Melior and BME Frt began in 2015. Since then, we've been assisting the students in sheet metal parts design and production. The team introduced their car, Zoé, for this year's Formula Student series in an online event called "Rollout", on the 12th of June.
3, The 2023 race car
Zoé is a futuristic EV/DV vehicle capable of competing in both piloted and autonomous races. Based on technical data, Zoe is a top-tier racing machine: weighing just 192 kg, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, a lateral acceleration of 2.5 G, and a downforce of 1884 N at 109 km/h. Its top speed is 121 km/h. A primary goal during the development of the FRED-003 coded vehicle was the further integration of the autonomous system.
Formula Student is a global car racing series for higher education students that offers a real engineering challenge for participants. Competitors not only have to design and build a race car but also develop a complete business concept around the car. The competition tests not only their technical knowledge but also their presentation skills and business acumen. One standout Hungarian team is the BME FRT, which was founded in early 2007 by several talented engineering students and has achieved excellence at an international level.
2, The cooperation
The cooperation between Melior and BME Frt began in 2015. Since then, we've been assisting the students in sheet metal parts design and production. The team introduced their car, Zoé, for this year's Formula Student series in an online event called "Rollout", on the 12th of June.
3, The 2023 race car
Zoé is a futuristic EV/DV vehicle capable of competing in both piloted and autonomous races. Based on technical data, Zoe is a top-tier racing machine: weighing just 192 kg, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, a lateral acceleration of 2.5 G, and a downforce of 1884 N at 109 km/h. Its top speed is 121 km/h. A primary goal during the development of the FRED-003 coded vehicle was the further integration of the autonomous system.
4, Our joint effort this year
Miklós Dúzs, a member of the BME Formula Racing Team's quarter vehicle group, spoke about the sheet metal components manufactured by Melior Laser and installed in the race car built for the 2023 racing season, as well as the collaboration:
"This year's race car, Zoé, can compete in both piloted and autonomous modes, similar to last season. During the design phase, we primarily focused on developing the drive system and aerodynamics, but we examined every subsystem to see where we could make improvements within our capabilities.
The manufactured parts:
»BME Formula Racing Team
Miklós Dúzs, a member of the BME Formula Racing Team's quarter vehicle group, spoke about the sheet metal components manufactured by Melior Laser and installed in the race car built for the 2023 racing season, as well as the collaboration:
"This year's race car, Zoé, can compete in both piloted and autonomous modes, similar to last season. During the design phase, we primarily focused on developing the drive system and aerodynamics, but we examined every subsystem to see where we could make improvements within our capabilities.
The manufactured parts:
- Rear suspension console - connects the car frame to the suspension
- Damper potentiometer bracket - secures the sensor that monitors the compression of the dampers
- LIDAR sensor and wing attachment elements - separate the driver from high-pressure tubes and tanks
- Pedal mount and damper potentiometer bracket - secures the gas pedal to the adjustable baseplate
- High-pressure tank cover - casing for the air tank storing pressure for the hydraulic-pneumatic brake system in autonomous mode
- Front wing attachment - secures the front wing to the front of the frame" The disk components were produced using laser cutting and bending
5, Competitions
This year was successful not only in terms of technological advancements. The team's placements at Formula Student East - 1st in Endurance and Dynamic overall, and 4th overall in the electric category - prove that BME Frt is competitive on an international level. Up next is Formula Student Germany between August 14-20, where the students will once again prove themselves.
»BME Formula Racing Team
(Image source: BME FRT)
