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Continuous Development

Testing the AIP

This year, due to Covid restrictions, the team has put a lot of focus on developing for the future. As part of this development the team has been performing material testing throughout the past week. The most recent test was on a Carbon AIP (Anti-Intrusion plate). This component mounts to the front bulkhead and its purpose is to protect the driver by preventing anything penetrating the bulkhead in the event of frontal impact.


The Test performed checked if the AIP was equivalent to the 2mm steel plate it would be replacing. The regulations required the team to load the plate up to 120kN to see if the plate would fail. Fortunately, it passed! This puts us in good stead with the development of the monocoque chassis which this has been designed to be integrated with.


Further to the above testing the materials sample for the monocoque that were mentioned in a previous newsletter also underwent testing before the Easter. Both samples passed their respected test with ease, with the lowest panel equivalency of 120% and exceeding the perimeter shear requirements by 23.5kN.


The team is heading the right direction with the difficult part out the way. All that remains is to refine the design and then begin the manufacture of the teams first monocoque, proving we are ready to compete at the highest level.