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CAD draughting software
News Release from: Autodesk
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 August 2006
Autodesk helps encourage young talent
Autodesk has put its support behind the highly-regarded Formula Student competition by becoming a Gold Sponsor for the first time.
Autodesk has put its support behind the highly-regarded Formula Student competition by becoming a Gold Sponsor for the first time The annual competition, which is run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, challenges students to design, build, develop, market and compete as a team with a small single seater racing car
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 14 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Around 80 teams from as far afield as the USA and India, as well as from the UK and Europe, competed in the final stages of the competition at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground near Leicester.
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As Formula Student manager Brian Robinson explains: "The competition provides engineering and other students with a real-life exercise in design and manufacture and the business element of automotive engineering".
"It also teaches them what it's like working as a team under pressure and to tight timescales".
Students are asked to assume that a manufacturing firm has engaged them to produce a prototype car for the weekend autocross or sprint racer market.
It, therefore, must have high performance in terms of its acceleration, braking and handling qualities, but must also be low cost, easy to maintain and reliable.
Aesthetics, comfort and the use of common parts are also taken into account.
Consequently, it is not necessarily the fastest car that wins when the teams are judged by industry specialists.
Students must balance speed with safety, reliability, cost and good handling qualities.
"We're very pleased that Autodesk has chosen to support us".
"Sponsorship and links with real-life business are vital to the future of Formula Student".
"It is also important that students get the chance to use the same software that is used in the outside commercial world to design their entries," says Robinson.
"Formula Student is an excellent initiative, encouraging talent and creativity in the engineering industry," says Alistair Brook, education manager, Autodesk.
"These highly skilled and talented students will be responsible for the future of the profession and we're delighted to be able to play a part in their early success". Request free introductory details about products from Autodesk ...
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