SHINING 3D Empowers TJURacing in Formula SAE Competition Preparation

In the recently concluded 2024 Japan Formula SAE Competition, TJURacing, sponsored by Lotus, excelled with outstanding race car designs and exceptional teamwork, winning multiple awards and honors. As a leading domestic and internationally renowned university racing team, TJURacing has consistently embraced innovation, incorporating cutting-edge manufacturing technologies into its car development process. This year, through a collaboration with SHINING 3D, the team introduced high-accuracy 3D scanning technology to enhance race car manufacturing efficiency and quality control.

Introduction to TJURacing

Founded in 2007, TJURacing is one of China’s earliest Formula SAE teams. The team is dedicated to designing and manufacturing race cars independently each year, competing in high-profile national and international events. Over 17 years of development, TJURacing has accumulated extensive experience and has become a benchmark in the student motorsport community. Representing Chinese universities at the 2024 Japan Formula SAE Competition, the team once again showcased its exceptional capabilities and earned significant recognition.

Group photo of all participants from the TJURacing team

Background of Race Car Manufacturing and SHINING 3D’s Support

Accuracy and efficiency are the keys to Formula SAE race car manufacturing success. TJURacing pursues perfection in every stage of race car manufacturing. In seeking an incredibly lightweight design for the race car, the team conducted numerous experiments to precisely optimize component weight reduction. The leader of TJURacing stated, “We refined a small square piece into a small square ring during the optimization process, which ultimately reduced the weight by only 2-3 grams. However, these tiny improvements often lead to a difference of tens of kilograms in the overall weight of the car.”

This year, to manufacture and inspect the race car’s monocoque, TJURacing collaborated with SHINING 3D, introducing its advanced 3D scanning technology to ensure manufacturing accuracy.

TJURacing team at the Formula SAE Japan

The Monocoque: Core Structure of the Race Car

The monocoque serves as the foundational structure of a Formula race car, akin to the body of a consumer vehicle. It ensures the car’s strength and rigidity, supports all components, and protects the driver. The monocoque has numerous assembly holes, each critical for proper installation. For example, the suspension mounting points must precisely align with design simulations to ensure optimal performance. Ensuring the monocoque’s dimensional accuracy posed a significant challenge.

Application of High-Accuracy 3D Scanning Technology

To meet the stringent manufacturing demands, TJURacing employed SHINING 3D’s FreeScan UE Pro2 wireless high-speed laser handheld 3D scanner. The FreeScan UE Pro2 operates without the constraints of cables, allowing flexible movement to capture complete data of the monocoque. With the monocoque’s 3D data available, team members can accurately measure each mounting hole. Integrating 3D scanning technology significantly reduced human error and enhanced the team’s overall capabilities.

Scanning and inspecting a monocoque using FreeScan UE Pro2

Conclusion

In preparing for the Formula SAE competition, TJURacing demonstrated exceptional teamwork, technical prowess, and innovative thinking. As TJURacing’s technical supporter, SHINING 3D is honored to witness this journey and takes immense pride in its achievements. SHINING 3D will continue to serve as a strong technological backbone for emerging talent in manufacturing, working together to drive the further advancement of smart and digital transformation in China’s automotive industry.