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F1 in Schools
f1header

F1 in Schools
The Formula One Technology Challenge


Why F1 in Schools?

F1 in Schools is a competition that is open to all SA based secondary schools and colleges. The F1 Teams have to design and manufacture compact gas cylinder powered model racing cars.  To determine the best engineered and fastest car in the competition, the student teams compete against each other in a national championship.


What is the Purpose?

The F1 in Schools competition exists to raise the profile of engineering across schools and colleges around the world. CAD/CAM, CNC and VR systems are widely used in the manufacturing industry, which is why it is so important for the engineers and designers of the future to get to grips with it early on. Students using CAD/CAM, CNC and VR software are able to design, test, analyse and manufacture their own creations using the very latest technology.

Primarily, F1 in Schools provides students with an ideal opportunity to experience the very latest developments in manufacturing technology.
  • CAD (Computer Aided Design) encourages students to think, explore and visualise their ideas in three dimensions, using features such as complex curve modelling and surface rendering, alongside more traditional orthographic presentations.
  • CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) is the use of computer-based software tools that assist engineers and machinists in manufacturing or prototyping product components and tooling. Its primary purpose is to create a faster production process and components and tooling with more precise dimensions and material consistency, which in some cases, uses only the required amount of raw material (thus minimizing waste), while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. CAM is a programming tool that makes it possible to manufacture physical models using computer-aided design (CAD) programs. CAM creates real life versions of components designed within a software package
  • CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) packages allow computer models of car designs to be analysed, with regard to aerodynamic efficiency, then modified to further increase performance.
  • VR (Virtual Reality) packages allow complicated machining and processing tasks to be practised in real time and total safety. Packages allow CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) machining to be experienced, even when you don’t actually own the real CNC hardware!
  • Video Conferencing systems allow students to solve problems in live conferences with experienced professionals, share and develop files on-line and visit manufacturing centres without having to leave their classroom.
Through direct experience of the technology and processes required to complete this project, it is hoped that more students will be encouraged to explore and/or pursue a career in the design, engineering and manufacturing industries

How to get Involved

To get involved and to benefit from the free software, schools need to register for the competition. The school then receives the licensed Siemens PLM Solid Edge 3D Modeling computer assisted design (CAD) software package, the exact same professional package used in the industry today, as well as the Pathtrace EdgeCAM software, together they are a powerful modeling and manufacturing tool.

ESTEQ supplies the Siemens PLM Solid Edge 3D Modeling CAD software, valid for one year.

After training has been done, and with the support of a nominated higher education institution, teachers and team members learn how to produce 3D models of racing cars. Once the design has been completed, the electronic file can be sent to a manufacturing center for machining on a Denford CNC Router. It is then returned to the F1 team in the school where it is must be painted and the wheels assembled.

Next the racing commences, first at schools and local institutions level and then onto provincial and national championships. The winning team will have the opportunity to represent South Africa in the World Championship

Apart from sponsoring the CAD software, some of the engineers at ESTEQ are involved in this competition by mentoring a team.

To find out more about the competition or
if you are interested in mentoring a team, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it via e-mail or phone him on (012) 809 9500.

For more information on the Rules & Regulations of the competition, as well as scheduled Events, visit the F1 in Schools web-site.
 

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