Capstone Projects

Team Baja Suspension
Members: Jonathan, Frank, Santiago, Courtnee 

Description:  Design and construction two or more types of rear suspension for the SAE Baja off-road vehicle.  Consider both H-Arms and Trailing Arms suspension.  This will require two types of knuckles and two methods for attaching the shock absorbers. 

Customer Requirements:

• Easy to install or exchange 

• Durable 

• Must meet requirements in the 2023 SAE Baja Rules  [Reference]

• Must mate to existing roll cage design

• Must result in smooth ride with damped bounces/oscillations

• Vehicle must have good maneuverability 

• Design must keep driver safe

• (plus others provided by team)

Engineering Characteristics:

• Vertical range of tire motion (inches)

• Maximum change in shock absorber length (inches)

• Time to change to the suspension (minutes)

• Weight (lbs)

• Cost ($)

• Amount of Tubing Required (inches)

• (plus others provided by team)

Team Baja Steering
Members: Zack, Caleb, Ryan, Cain, Christian 

Description:  Design and construction of the front steering system and differential for the SAE Baja off-road vehicle.   This will include the front spindle design, determination of the Ackerman angle, and rack and pinion design.

 Customer Requirements:

• Durable

• Vehicle must have good maneuverability 

• Hand Safety 

• Allow for different size drivers

• Easy to turn the steering wheel

• Must meet requirements in the 2023 SAE Baja Rules  [Reference]

• Must mate to existing roll cage design

• (plus others provided by team)

Engineering Characteristics:

• Turning Radius (inches)

• Weight (lbs)

• Cost ($)

• Distance of steering wheel from the frame or side panel (inches)

• Maximum steering wheel rotation angle (degrees)

• Steering column angle with respect to the ground (degrees)

• Horizontal distance from the back of the seat to the center of the steering wheel (inches)

• Ackerman angle (degrees)

• (plus others provided by team)

Team “Baja Power”
Members: Jonathan, Frank, Santiago, Courtnee 

Description:  Design and construct the mechanical and electrical systems for the SAE Baja off-road vehicle that will include power for headlights,  two differentials, and emergency stop.  

 Customer Requirements:

• Big button for emergency stop for the engine

• One switch for front wheel drive via power to the front differential

• One switch for rear wheel drive via power to the rear differential

• Adding a small 12-Volt battery that provides power for 4+ hours

• Securely attach wiring to the roll cage

• Ensure that the wiring is sufficient in diameter to withstand small impacts

• Select and add LED headlights

• Must meet requirements in the 2023 SAE Baja Rules  [Reference]

• Must work to existing roll cage design

• (plus others provided by team)

Engineering Characteristics:

• Use time for 12-Volt Battery (hours)

• Cost ($)

• Amount of wire needed (feet)

• Gauge of Wire (AWG)

• Shear force to cut wire with insulation (lbs)

• Brightness of LED’s (Watts)

• Power required to energize differential (Watts)

• Time required for emergency stop (seconds)

• (plus others provided by team)