26 November 2007
Energyteam presents... the plug of Energy 5!
After another two coats of mastic and sanding with abrasive paper up to 1200, the model is ready for finishing now.
We can proudly present you the plug of Energy 5!
From foam panels to finished plug in four steps:
31 October 2007
Finishing the plug
As a start, the foam is covered with epoxy and glassfibre, before applying spray mastic.
As symmetry is very important, it takes several layers of mastic and a lot of hours working with abrasive paper to get the foam panels in shape. The finishing operations are performed at our partner Carrosserie Malfait, expert in bodywork.
More pictures can be seen in our photo album.
15 September 2007
Building the model
In the 3D CAD software, the model is divided in several sections of variable thicknesses.
These sections are plotted and drawn on polystyrene foam panels of 30 or 60 mm, and cut out.
31 May 2007
Newly designed Energy 5 ready for production
Glen Putteman & Bert de Ryck developed the new aerodynamic bodywork of the new car Energy 5 as their final work.
Their goal was simple: less wind resistance and more comfort for the pilot.
Based on an extensive aerodynamic study and drag simulations with the FloWorks software, the innovative design was established in the NX 3D CAD software.
The final results of the aerodynamic computer simulations are looking very promising!
|
|
Energy 4 |
Energy 5 |
Procentual
improvement |
For comparison:
Toyota Prius Il |
|
Drag coëfficient
Cx = Cd |
0,156 |
0,136 |
15 % lower drag |
0,260 |
|
Frontal
surface A |
0,367 m² |
0,353 m² |
4 % less |
2,25 m² |
|
"Drag area"
Cd*A |
0,0571 m² |
0,0480 m² |
19 % better |
0,585 m² |
Energy 5 will be taken into production in academic year 2007-2008. It will be the successor of our current Energy 4. The first planned fuel consumption race will take place in May 2008...
In parallel, the current geometry of Energy 5 will be further optimized by last grade student industrial engineering electromechanics Philippe VandeVyver. He is our expert in aerodynamics.
So who knows, there might be an Energy 6!
