The fact that the smallest and weight-saving details are important in racing is illustrated by the Speeding Scientists. The racing team of the University of Siegen, which is taking part in the Formula Student racing series for young academics with its racing car "Molly" Quick fasteners from ACE Shockto effectively decouple the power electronics from the chassis vibrations of the electric powered race car.

Molly is an electric-powered race car that is one of the few in this series to feature an aluminum monocoque chassis and four-wheel drive. 2019 places the Siegen team, organized in a club and counting approximately 30 persons, on the first "monocoque construction" made of aluminum in more than ten years of racing activity.

The decision for the monocoque consisting of the light metal was taken in addition to economic aspects because of the better torsional stiffness compared to conventional lattice frame.

Carbon and 3D printing

Many parts are made of carbon and are unique 3D prints and were made in CFD simulations analyzed. They help Molly to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in less than 3 seconds and to generate a contact pressure of up to 130 N at a top speed of 2700 km / h. In-house developed electric motors with 29 kW and 46 Nm provide the drive and the converters built into the racing car are designed to save space and weight.

To dampen the vibration of the power electronics and to protect the high-voltage components, the students from Siegen turned to the ACE shock absorber GmbH from Langenfeld. There the team learned that the "Flex Locs" suitable for a load range from 0,4 kg to 28 kg effectively decouple two components from each other.

In the present case, four of these detachable Blindnietverbindungen were then installed for the decoupling of the inverter from the body. With their help, the chassis can be controlled in test as well as in racing up to the stress limit. The electronics themselves can not harm the vibrations and shocks that have been caused. Tom Kellmann, 2019 member of the chassis team and 2018 Team Leader, sums up, "The ACE quick fasteners are of good quality, easy to handle and, what's important in racing, they're easy!"

Kettcar for adults creates a range of up to 200 km

Screws with features of rivets

The Flex Locs are fixed using standard screws in sizes M3 to M8, where they clamp like rivets between the front and clamping sides. In addition, the elastic connecting elements can be fastened in blind holes using the screw connection, for example to connect them to existing buildings. They isolate structural resonances down to 150 Hz.

The achievable degree of isolation compared to usual structural vibrations is up to 80%. If not used in racing, the areas of application for these little helpers include, in particular, power units and machines, cladding, sheets and flanges, but also attachment elements on buildings as well as vans and construction machinery.

Harting connectors for every application