Teams from Michigan Tech University (MTU) and Université Laval took part in the Shell Eco Marathon in Indianapolis, a competition highlighting innovation and energy efficiency. Flexpipe was honored to support both teams by supplying essential components for their mobile workbenches.
Assembling the mobile work bench
Both teams found assembly of the Flexpipe mobile workbenches relatively straightforward, thanks to the careful planning and modularity of the components. However, each encountered unique challenges. The MTU team had to adjust tube lengths after forgetting to include connector joints in their calculations.
The Université Laval team had to adapt the structure perfectly to the needs of their vehicle. As the slides used came from another partner, the greatest difficulty encountered was installing them to the tube structure. These slides had to be attached using a fastening system that was not possible to use with the tubes. The students had to cut and bend certain pieces of metal and make new holes to secure them. The 3D design of the cart was created with SolidWorks software, using the parts library provided by the Flexpipe Creator.
Workbench assembly by MTU students
Assembly by the Université Laval students
Educational Experiences
Taking part in the Shell Eco Marathon was an enriching experience for both teams, enabling them to push back the boundaries of their engineering and prepare new innovations for future competitions. Flexpipe is proud to support these young talents and contribute to their success in the field of energy efficiency.
The teams faced a few technical challenges. The MTU team had to repair their engine after the starter gear broke loose, causing significant damage. Despite these obstacles, they showed impressive resilience and managed to record a fuel consumption of 670.2 MPG, ranking sixth (2024). While Université Laval took first place in the gasoline prototype rankings (2023). Congratulations to all!
In conclusion, thanks to Flexpipe's support, the MTU and Université de Laval teams were able to overcome complex technical challenges and demonstrate remarkable ingenuity, thus preparing themselves for a promising future in the field of automotive engineering.
