I was a member of the dynamics subteam on Longhorn Racing Electric. I learned how to design parts in SOLIDWORKS, communicate and collaborate with other team members, and contribute to the manufacturing of a bona fide racecar.
My primary task was creating the anti-roll bar (ARB), an important suspension part to adjust the stiffness of the vehicle. I had used a German vehicle's reference for an adjustable ARB, where each increment was 1.2x stiffer than the last. I designed the part per the stiffness variability spec handed down to me from the lead designer, and I had to work with him to incorporate the ARB stiffness in the total vehicle stiffness. I had to visit many of my dynamics team members to make sure my part was accounted for in their suspension design. I also had to talk with the body team about the best position to mount my part, and how to create that mount with the resources available to me.