My Visit To Prodrive

Hello there!

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

I had a recent visit up to Prodrive, a place I am very interested and familiar with, and having seen them recently show off a new tour system, I thought I had to go and have a look. Here is what I saw On my tour.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

WRC Mini Clubman, which still looks like a car unlike the modern machinery!

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

 Rear-end of the Mini, where duel element rear wing.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Williams F1 6R4 MG

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Raw body of an Aston Martin Vantage, this shell was being prepped for a full bespoke Prodrive roll cage.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

A GT3 spec Vantage being built, where the front carbon ducting had been placed into the monocoque.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Here is an almost assembled Vantage GT3, with the engine and transmission installed into the car.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Front braking set up, with double A-arms and Ohlins damper.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Some stunning Alcon brakes on offer from billet, I always enjoy looking at these on GT3 cars.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

The 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine installed at the front of the car.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

The exhaust is supplied by Akrapovic, and is beautiful!

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

The older generation Vantage, which just goes to show how far the new car has come, here I pictured the car side-on.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Upon the front end, it can be noted the struts for the splitter, which shows you have some downforce there!

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

The assembly area is remarkably clean!

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

GT4 spec Vantage under construction,

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Brake set up on the GT4 is very different to GT3 spec, It was interesting seeing the sensor from the tub to the top A-arm

SCU Final Concept

I Made An Aero Package

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Hello there!

I have been super busy (started my new job as a Design Engineer at ZF Group) so not had much time to concept design but managed to get these renders together before I started. It's based on the SCU chassis I have made. I suspect some of you will have noticed the new rear subframe too, which hoses the inbound suspension, which is also new. This is just a temporary item.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

The aero package was more a technical exercise, as I was watching a lot of Pikes Pea, so wanted the design and model a full aero package, and wanted to see what sort of numbers I could get in CFD, as well as learning Ansys a bit more. I plan on showing all the data when I have a bit more time. I hope you liked this small update and doesn't the car look good, right?

Concept Design For SCU Motorsport

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Hello there!

Well, this has been a busy start to 2019! Just wanted to show our concept design of a brand new single seater race car I have been designing in my spare time. SCU Motorsport will be running a brand new race series for Schools, Colleges and Universities, where this inexpensive single seater will be the car in question. And doesn't she look awesome!

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

The project aims at lowing the costs for educational motorsport, something that we believe could improve, which is what this project was started, so simplicity is key here. The style was mainly done by Jake Smith, a good friend of mine, who was able to design and model the exterior of the vehicle. My main task was making sure the mechanical components of the car fits into the tight packaging, as seen below.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

In the above image, we can see the space frame chassis and all of its internal components. This was a big job as Chief Engineer but was a  great learning curve while on the side of my studies. Here are some of the flagship statistics of the car in this current time.

• Suzuki 4cyl 998cc
• Push-rod suspension
• final drive is chain driven (For this moment in time before a gearbox supplier comes on board).
• Under floor venturi and diffuser.
• Steel space frame chassis
• Twin radiators
• Foam impact structure
• Stainless Steel or Composite body (See what costs say).

The main aim is to use off the shelf components, which we are in the process off. There is a lot of development going on behind the scenes for the race series. 

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Finally, we can see the chassis. Here me, Jake and Alan (Project Manager) aimed at triangulating as much as possible, as this is where the strength would come from, hence while the cooling system is wrapped in tube sections. We are quite happy with it, but a lot of FEA is coming in the coming weeks. If you want to join the revelation, we are currently looking for suppliers and manufacturers for the bodywork as well as various other parts. Email me on: Stefanruitenberg@outlook.com.

Enjoy some extra images ;) 

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

#SCUMotorsport

Elder Studios Office Design Project

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Hello there!

I just wanted to show some work I did for a local company in Huddersfield. The company in question is Elder Studios, who design and develop software. So I set about analysing the brief and designing the best optimal solution. And this is what I was able to come up with, Design:1. 

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Below is a floor plan, by looking at the brief, I designed around it. As they wanted an open plan concept, I made sure I implemented that in design. The central meeting room, which they use a lot, is a full glass structure, to keep the open plan imerstions bright. 

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

With them being big fans of coffee, I designed the main table around the concept of coffee, by being a big coffee mug. I also made sure I had relaxation zones for people to work as well as chill. Il make sure I show any further work with the project. Cya! 

Group Design Report - E-Pod Project

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Hello There!

I wanted to show you a little update on a University project I have been working on. We call it the E-pod, which is a human-powered vehicle, with an electronic assist in the form of a small electric Shunt motor. I hope you like the render!

My role in the team was to design an effective suspension system for the vehicle, so for the best vehicle dynamics, I had to create my geometry quickly. The image above shows my design minus the steering rack and column. I went for lightweight wishbones with the spring and damper mounted inside the subframe assembly. 

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

I was able to get good results with this setup, which went through a lot of design optimisation process. I wanted to make my part as strong and as lightweight as possible, thus improving the efficiency of the motor, as the forces can be a bit lower.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

In the image above, we can see how the drivetrain fits into my suspension assembly. One thing we want to improve on is the rear gearing, which is a bit low down for our liking. You can also note the simple ladder chassis. This design was used to keep the costs low. The whole aim of the product was to design a very affordable yet lightweight design.

Rember, this is just a design concept so a lot can be improved upon, but as a whole, I am happy with how we all worked. Our next steps are to make sure the vehicle is as good as we can make it, with some small fine improvements. 

I hope you enjoyed this little post, and I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Hope you all have a very good Christmas and New years too! Cya.