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Frame Design and Manufacturing

Students on Project: Olivia Griffin, Hannah Tripoli, Charlie Steinman

Week 3

Lean Angle Comparisons​ 

  • Unlike with superbikes lean angle is not critical, but it is a helpful comparison for how the bike will feel for the rider

    • Yamaha YZ450F ~70°â€‹â€‹

    • Stark Varg ~72°

    • Kawasaki KX450 ~71°

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​General Notes​

  • Lots of research into load cases​

  • Continued CAD iteration

    • Mostly working on a parametric design and pros and cons associated​

Week 2

​CAD Mockups

  • Continued research into existing dirtbike frame designs

  • Started playing with 3d sketching

    • Created a range of designs based on various battery pack shapes and sizes​

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Research - "Motorcycle Handling and Chassis Design"

  • Chapter 3

    • Tradeoffs and relationships between different geometries (rake/trail/wheelbase)

  • Chapter 10​

    • Don't concede frame to other components​

    • Twin Spar/Beam is seen as most efficient

    • Be careful with stress concentration on critical welds

  • Chapter 16​

    • Welding distortions​

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Rider Triangle

  • Looked further into existing dirtbikes and styles of different manufacturers​​

    • Yamaha YZ450F​

    • Stark Varg

    • Kawasaki KX450

Week 1

​General Notes

  • Talked through general CAD setup

  • Determined critical frame components

  • Worked on a timeline

  • Discussed important considerations:

    • Lean angle​

    • Suspension compression cases

    • Chain line

    • Pack swapping

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CAD Mockups

  • Started looking at general placement of critical parts

  • Working on space claims, center of mass...

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Rider Triangle

  • Began researching distances between a rider's hands, hips, and feet

  • Looked at existing dirtbikes and similarities/differences

  • Considered cases of standing vs sitting

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