Columbia Society of Automotive Engineers
| Columbia Society of Automotive Engineers | |
| |
| Founded: | 1997 |
| Recognition: | ABC |
| Membership: | 38 |
| Executive Board: | Matthew Poss (President) Alexander Chang (Vice President) Michael Antonakakis (Chief Engineer) Mark Fisher (Treasurer) |
| Category: | Competitive, Pre-professional |
| Website: | www.columbia.edu/cu/sae |
| Contact: | fsae@columbia.edu |
The Columbia Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), also known as the Formula SAE Team, is an engineering student group that builds race cars to compete with against other colleges and universities. Their objective is to conceive, design, fabricate, and compete with small formula-style racing cars. Restrictions are placed on the car frame and engine by SAE International so that the knowledge, creativity, and imagination of the students are challenged.
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Membership and Recognition
SAE is recognized by the Activities Board at Columbia and receives substantial support from the Mechanical Engineering department in SEAS.
In addition to mechanical engineers, SAE has members from Columbia College and other departments including Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science. Members include first-years through seniors.
The Cars
The team constructed a race car for the Formula SAE competition in Michigan in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2009. The 2008 car was the team's first car to finish all dynamic events and placed 67th out of 120 teams. The 2009 car was the most successful to date, placing 64th out of 120 teams, although a fuel pump failure during the endurance race cost the team significant improvement in rankings. The 2010 car is currently under construction and will compete at Michigan International Speedway in May.
The race car is supported by a tubular steel space frame, which is fabricated by the team from scratch. It is powered by a four-cylinder 600cc motorcycle engine. The current engine is from a Honda CBR600 F4i. Engine performance is limited via a mandatory 20mm intake restrictor. The engine is fuel injected, and the fuel-air mixture is governed by a custom engine management computer. The 2010 car features pullrod-actuated shock absorbers, front and rear anti roll bars, rocker-actuated steering to accommodate minimum cockpit dimensions, and a multi-channel data acquisition system.
The vehicles accommodate a single driver in an open cockpit configuration.
Facilities
The team operates out of a workshop located in the basement of the Seeley W. Mudd building. It is furnished with machining and welding equipment. There is also access to the street via the Mudd parking garage.
Appearances
This student group is notorious for revving their engine at the annual Activities fair, which is very loud and disruptive, and often suffocates neighboring student groups in a cloud of exhaust.
The race car also participates in the New York International Auto Show.
Green Initiative
While displaying the car on campus, members are often asked if the car is powered by electric motors. It is not. Electric motors are not allowed according to the rules of the competition. However, the car is a practice in efficiency. It's small size and small engine allow it to get great fuel economy. A current goal for the car is to greatly increase its fuel economy through extensive engine tuning. The knowledge gained from this project is applicable to the design of daily-driven cars, and is therefore green.
