Crosslink Technology is a proud sponsor of McMaster University's Baja Racing Team, which competes in the SAE Baja Series. The team made up of undergraduate students at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, designs, manufactures, and races a single-seat off-road vehicle across North America every year.
The project aims to provide students from various engineering disciplines with hands-on experience in technical design, data acquisition, driver controls, and the development of drivetrain, suspension, and chassis systems.
The Challenge: Limited Testing
The SAE Baja Series is a demanding competition that tests the abilities and durability of the vehicles. Each year, teams from universities around the world compete in dynamic events and a gruelling four-hour endurance race on punishing terrains.
For the McMaster Baja Racing Team, one of the significant challenges was limited testing opportunities, particularly in the realm of deformation testing. This crucial aspect ensures that the vehicle maintains its structural integrity and performance under varying loads and stresses, mirroring real-world racing conditions.
Crosslink’s Solution
To meet these challenges head-on, the McMaster team turned to Crosslink Technology for expertise in identifying a resin solution capable of withstanding the rigorous demands of high-performance racing.
To enhance rigidity, durability, and performance, the Crosslink team provided its XHD 2121 and XRD 2120 resin/hardener for use with both wet layup and vacuum bag processes. Unlike traditional resins, these formulations bolstered the vehicle's structural integrity, making it an ideal choice for demanding applications such as high-performance racing.
In a comparative test between the old resin and Crosslink's resins, the results were striking:
- Old resin: 38.4% deformation
- Crosslink's resin: 9.76% deformation
OLD RESIN
Start: 19.5cm |
End: 12.0cm 38.4% deformation  |
CROSSLINKS RESIN
Start: 19.5cm |
End: 12.0cm 9.76% deformation  |
This substantial reduction in deformation clearly demonstrates the superior performance and rigidity of Crosslink's resin under weight and stress conditions. The results also highlight Crosslink's resin as a standout solution for maintaining shape and structural integrity, especially in high-stress environments like competitive racing.
Future Testing for McMaster's Baja Racing Team
The rigidity provided by Crosslink's resin not only benefits McMaster's Baja Racing Team in enhancing performance and durability in competitive racing environments but also paves the way for future testing endeavours.
Next up for the team is a test of the design and implementation of an impact testing jig. Testing initiatives like this are instrumental in refining the vehicle's design and ensuring its resilience in challenging racing scenarios, solidifying McMaster's position as a force to be reckoned with in the Baja racing arena. The Crosslink team is happy to be part of their journey, and to inspire the next generation of engineers.
