The University of Huddersfield’s Team HARE has been entering the Formula Student (FSAE) since 1999. The 3M BIC’s technology team has been supporting the team as sponsors since 2013, providing custom made 3D printed parts to aid the car’s performance each year. Its 2024 version was the team’s first all-electric entry.
Created by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) to influence new generations of engineers, Formula SAE challenges students to design, build and compete with small formula-style racing cars. Teams spend 8-12 months preparing single-seat racing cars for competitions judged on technical inspection, cost, presentation, engineering design, performance and endurance. Team HARE (Huddersfield Automotive Racing Enterprises), founded in 1999, represents the University of Huddersfield in the Formula Student (FSAE), series.
Comprising mostly 3rd (BEng) and 4th (MEng) year students, studying Engineering (Mechanical, Automotive, Motorsport & Electrical), Team HARE also involves students from other disciplines like marketing and finance. Each year, a new team of engineers designs and builds a car, then competes at events across Europe, including Silverstone, Germany and Spain. Notable achievements include winning the best UK team award in 2013 and becoming the most improved team in 2019.
Since 2013, the 3M BIC’s technology team has sponsored Team HARE providing access to 3D printing capabilities. Over the years, solutions have included 3D printing the plenum (airbox) on our in-house EOS SLS printer, allowing the injectors to fasten onto the plenum and mount the fuel rail without any post-processing on the part.
The team has also developed a custom ‘tractive system active lighting’ part that indicates car battery charge levels and safety, using our EOS Formiga P100 SLS printer and then dying the component black. Additionally, we helped produce individual surrounding cooling jackets for the electric motors, featuring spiral channels for water flow to prevent overheating. The press-fit design ensures no leaks, maintaining optimal motor performance.
Its 2024 version was the team’s first all-electric entry, which took 8 months to build. Since 2014, Team HARE has achieved notable results in the Formula Student competitions. Highlights include ranking 15th in 2013, making them the top UK team that year. In 2019, they were named the most improved team and ranked 3rd in the UK. Other key finishes include 18th place in 2015, 6th in 2019, and 20th in 2021. The team also achieved 15th place in 2022, excelling in the business presentation category by finishing 6th, and have competed in international events such as Formula Student Hungary and Czech Republic.
“Over the years, this partnership has been incredibly rewarding, and it’s amazing to see the impact we’ve had on the different teams over the years. We are proud to see how our technology and support continue to contribute to the success of Team HARE. Here’s to many more years of innovation and partnership!”
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