Reflection-Learning Launch

Challenge and selection

I am part of my Baja SAE team’s ergonomics division. My job is to design and make parts  that contribute with the aerodynamics and ease of control of an off-road car. We are limited  by a rulebook given out by the organization that details available materials, construction,  and thickness of said materials, as well as the existing chassis of the car. The team consists  of me, the division director, as well as 2 other designers that aid me with the designing,  construction, and installation of the various pieces. The project is carried out within the scope  of 2 months, of which 1 is focused on part design. Our goal was to improve our performances  in relation to last year’s car, which include improving aerodynamic efficiency.

Given all the reasons and limitations explained above, I selected to use the Learning Launch  tool. Furthermore, another reason is the necessity for a vast selection of test components  and materials, so the Learning Launch would aid us in carrying out these tests in a rapid  and inexpensive manner.

Application

For our instance of the launch, the team selected the frontal panel of the car: This is the part  that is furthest out forward in the car, therefore representing a crucial component of the  aerodynamic efficiency. Initially, it was made up of a sheet of metal bent into a series of  shapes to fit into the space available. Our initial assumption was that the various folds of the  metal were harming the car’s performance, so we opted to make it out of a single piece. To  do this, we procured a larger, but thinner sheet of metal that could easily bend without folding  it. Once we carried out our simulation, we discovered that it did in fact aid in our aerodynamic  coefficient.

Insight

The usage of the Learning Launch tool allowed our team to identify certain hypotheses and  designed a launch to test said hypothesis. Once we manufactured the designed piece, it  granted us an advantage to be sure, but it did not yield the drastic change in performance  that we were expecting. We believed that this was due to the relative short timespan we had  available, which indicated to us that we needed to designate more time to using the tool to  carry out a truly effective brainstorming session. This was shown to the other team directors,  and they very much agreed with our conclusions, meaning that next season a longer  designing phase will be granted to us.

Approach

We have decided that the Learning launch would be the most appropriate method to further  carry out research and development. However, just one instance isn’t evidence enough to  be conclusive as to its long-term viability. Applying the method a second time next season  would allow us to gather further evidence in order to refine and streamline our decision  making further.


Reflection - Learning Launch Challenge and selection I am part of my Baja SAE team ’s ergonomics division . My job is to design and make parts that contribute with the aerodynamics and ease of control of an off - road car . We are limited by a rulebook given out by the organization that details available materials , construction , and thickness of said materials , as well as the existing chassis of the car . The team consists of me , the division director , as well as 2 other designers that aid me with the designing , construction , and installation of the various pieces . The project is carried out within the scope of 2 months , of which 1 is focused on part design . Our goal was to improve our performances in relation to last year ’s car , which include improving aerodynamic efficiency . Given all the reasons and limitations explained above , I selected to use the Learning Launch tool . Furthermore , another reason is the necessity for a vast selection of test components and materials , so the Learning Launch would aid us in carrying out these tests in a rapid and inexpensive manner . Application For our instance of the launch , the team selected the frontal panel of the car : This is the part that is furthest out forward in the car , therefore representing a crucial component of the aerodynamic efficiency . Initially , it was made up of a sheet of metal bent into a series of shapes to fit into the space available . Our initial assumption was that the various folds of the metal were harming the car ’s performance , so we opted to make it out of a single piece . To do this , we procured a larger , but thinner sheet of metal that could easily bend without folding it . Once we carried out our simulation , we discovered that it did in fact aid in our aerodynamic coefficient . Insight The usage of the Learning Launch tool allowed our team to identify certain hypotheses and designed a launch to test said hypothesis . Once we manufactured the designed piece , it granted us an advantage to be sure , but it did not yield the drastic change in performance that we were expecting . We believed that this was due to the relative short timespan we had available , which indicated to us that we needed to designate more time to using the tool to carry out a truly effective brainstorming session . This was shown to the other team directors , and they very much agreed with our conclusions , meaning that next season a longer designing phase will be granted to us . Approach We have decided that the Learning launch would be the most appropriate method to further carry out research and development . However , just one instance is n’t evidence enough to be conclusive as to its long - term viability . Applying the method a second time next season would allow us to gather further evidence in order to refine and streamline our decision making further .