Monocoque Modeling

My group design project is to design a monocoque for an F1 racing car (basically it's the cover for a car). The moment I receive this title, I knew I'm gonna screw this module (I've been complaining since the beginning of this semester). Anyway, it comes to the stage where we need to model its geometry in Pro/E.

Once I received the car frame design from the other group, I started planning on how to fit my monocoque onto it (dimension adjustments). So, yesterday after lunch (2:00 p.m), I started my rough day in the TISCRA (computer lab).

Car frame did by the other group:

Using Pro/E is already a serious problem for me, but thinking of attachment method to the frame and possibility of manufacture really squeeze out the last drop of hemoglobin in me. Well, there's no due date for this but I don't like to leave it hanging... thinking of it everyday is suffering!

The part that I first complete is the front nose. This is actually the most important part as it contribute almost 70% of the aerodynamic effects. Thus, it must be done with a lot of curves, giving minimum eddies. Besides, wings and spoilers are not allowed, so the top part is curved to produce downforce for the car.

Isometric and back view of front nose:

Next, it's the cover for cockpit, where the driver sits. The modeling is easy, but the tapered angle make the thinking tough! The considerations include how to slot in the frames, how to make increasing width from bottom upwards and from front to back, and how to connect this thing to the front nose and side air intake. It's all the frame design group's fault, the frame is easy to do with angles but covering it takes forever!

Isometric and bottom view of the cockpit cover:

Furthermore, here comes the most complex part, the side air intake. It's suppose to direct air to the engine behind for cooling and combustion. This really need some brain to design. Aerodynamic effects should be applied and how does it attach to the tapered angled of cockpit side and end up straight to the engine's plane.

Isometric and top view of side air intake:

Finally, it comes to the most irritating, frustrating, tedious stage, to assembly everything together. If I don't can't match everything together nicely, I would need to modify the design (if possible) or worse, redo the part. Well, everything seems OK in assembly, just some minor errors that I need to modify a bit on the parts. So a not-so-good design is completed. Of course, there're more details to be added int he future, this will not be the final drawing.

Ready to assemble, Megazord combine!


Isometric and bottom view of the assembly:

Oh ya, the most interesting part of the day. I just left computer lab twice, for dinner and supper, and guess what time I finished everything? It's 5:10 a.m and today I still made it to the morning class. Honestly... I doubt that I slept that night.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
-John 10:10-

Thank You Lord for blessing us strength and will to carry on. Though the path is narrow, but it leads us to the truth. Pray that Lord You'll reveal our purpose here may we be the reflector of Your glory. Pray for the SPM candidates, may they do well in exam and not stray away from You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.