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A

Report On

National Go-Kart Championship

BAJA SAEINDIA

Ball Throwing Machine

By:- Sourabh Saini B.E. (Mechanical)

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The success and final outcome of these projects required a lot of

guidance and assistance from many people and I ‘am extremely

fortunate to have got this all along the completion of our project works.

Whatever I have done is only due to such guidance and assistance and I

would not forget to thank them.

I would like to thank the members of team “ABHYUDAYA” for their

commitment & dedication towards the work. It was an honor to be the

Vice captain of such talented and determined group of people. I believe

that winning best design award was the results of the commitment of

whole team combindly.

I would also like to thank the members of team “PHALCONS” for the

efforts they made to bring themselves to most reputed and challenging

under graduated level engineering completion of the nation.

I’ am thankful to my major project team mates Prateek Rathore,

Priyanka Kherdekar & Priyanka Dhamandekar for working with me

and believing me every time we were doing something new and

innovative.

I owe my profound gratitude to my project guide Mr. O.P. Singh, who

took keen interest on our project work and guided, us all along, till the

completion of our project work. The completion of this dissertation

would not have been possible without such guidance and support.

I ‘am thankful to and fortunate enough to get constant encouragement

and guidance from all teaching staffs of Mechanical Engineering

department.

I would like to extend my sincere regards to all the non-teaching staff of

department of Mechanical Engineering for their timely support.

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ABSTRACT

This report presents the works under three main projects which are

National Go-Kart Championship 2K14 by Indian Society of New Era

Engineers (ISNEE), BAJA SAEINDIA 2K15 organized by Society of

automotive engineers (SAE) and Major Project which comes under

university curriculum. I have given my services as a design engineer and

also head in fabrication in all three events. Three different teams were

responsible for all projects separately. The report is a short description

of the design, modeling, performance and result of my teams. Also the

layouts of these events are shown here.

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National Go-Kart Championship

INTRODUCTION:

Go-Kart- A go-kart is a small four-wheeled vehicle. Go-karts come in all

shapes and forms, from motorless models to high-powered racing machines,

some, like Superkarts, being able to beat racing cars on long circuits.

Indian Society Of New Era Engineers (ISNEE) - ISNEE is an

organization for students focusing on the technical and managerial

development of future engineers. It gives the opportunity to the

undergraduate and diploma engineers to research and develop innovative

projects. We inspire them to imagine because imagination is more important

than knowledge.

National Go Kart Championship (NGKC)- It is a competition to bring

and enhance good engineering approach and practice for graduating and

diploma students in engineering. The competition is basically to design and

fabricate a Go-Kart in extremely low budget followed by a competition of

the selected teams.

NATIONAL GO KART CHAMPIONSHIP 2K14:

Pre-Final Round (Virtual Round) - In NGKC 2K14 we participated as team

“ABHYUDAYA” for virtual round in which we represented our design for

the kart. It was a full vehicle design competition emphasizing over the

complete vehicle dynamics, performance characteristics, cost effectiveness,

ergonomics, aesthetics, business plan, safety and innovation. The design

was formulated under the constraints of the rule book by the organizers.

We qualified in the virtual round to fabricate, test and perform in the

dynamic round which was organized at KARI MOTOR SPEEDWAY,

Coimbatore during October-2014

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CAD Modeled Views of the Kart

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Final Round (Dynamic Event) - The dynamic event constitutes of several static

and dynamic event which separately or combindly tests for the different

engineering and also managerial characteristics of the team and their karts.

The events conducted at Coimbatore were Assembly & Disassembly,

Technical Inspection, Brake Test, Best design Evaluation, Manufacturing

level, Business plan, Innovation Test, Acceleration, Skid-Pad, Autocross and

Fuel Economy & Endurance.

After performing in these events each team is rewarded by points according

to their performance which in the last are summed up for the winner team having

highest team. Also some awards are presented for different categories including

specific event performance and individual person.

Different Events and Our Performance:

Business Plan- This is a presentation round in which teams will need to

present their business strategies considering their team as a manufacturer

company of the vehicle. The presentation emphasizes over Infrastructure

Required, Cells/Departments, Machinery Required, Production Plans,

Annual Turnover, Initial Investment, Sales and Marketing Strategies.

Manufacturing Level- Good engineering practice will reflect a great

manufacturing level. The vehicle will be examined by the judges at the time

of Dynamic Event, so the participating teams are advised to manufacture the

vehicle with pre-planned strategies so that the vehicle would be able to

compete in several tasks and tests.

Technical Inspection- It is conducted before the dynamic event which does

not carry any points but is necessary for participating in dynamic event. TI

will be based on rulebook parameter and safety checks of the vehicle. The

team will be allowed only 2 chances for the TI test failing which the team

will be considered disqualified for the dynamic events.

DisAsm- This event consists of the dismantling and assembling the different

parts of the vehicle. Maximum six (6) members can engage in this activity

and maximum time limit for the completion of this event is sixty (60)

minutes.

Our time recorded for disassembly and assembly was 14:05 min.

Brake & Acceleration- It’s mandatory for a vehicle to pass the brake test to

participate in any of the dynamic events. The vehicle must stop in a straight

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line after the brake is applied on the vehicle. Each vehicle will be given 4

attempts to pass the brake test. But in case if the vehicle passes the test in

first attempt it will not be given any other trials.

Acceleration determines the time it takes the vehicle to accelerate

along 100 ft (30.48 m) flat course.

Our acceleration recorded was 3.21 sec.

Skid Pad - The objective of the skid-pad event is to measure the vehicle’s

cornering ability on a flat surface while making a constant-radius turn. The

skid pad layout may be a figure of 8 or s depending on the track condition

but minimum track width will be 3m and shortest turning radius 2.5m.

Our skid pad timings were 24sec, 20sec.

Autocross- The objective of the autocross event is to evaluate the vehicle's

maneuverability and handling qualities on a tight course without the

hindrance of competing vehicles. The autocross course will combine the

performance features of acceleration, braking, and cornering into one event.

Our autocross timings were 29 and 24 sec.

Endurance and Fuel Economy - The following are general guidelines for

conducting the endurance and fuel economy event. The organizers reserve

the right to establish procedures specific to the conduct of the event at the

site.

Endurance Objective - The Endurance Event is designed to evaluate the

overall performance of the vehicle and to test the vehicle’s reliability.

Fuel Economy test- The fuel economy test is based on the average liters per

kilometer fuel economy obtained during the endurance heat.

Our timing for 5 laps was 10:40min with fuel consumption of 550ml

fuel. Average speed- 60.5km/h and average fuel consumption 23km/ltr.

So our performance in all dynamic events was impressive. We were in top 3

positions for Skid Pad and Autocross. Also our Endurance timing was good

having high average speed.

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Design Evaluation: In designs evaluation the final design of the vehicle is examined by an

official. The evaluator checks the design over all necessary heads like chassis

construction, selection of pre fabricated parts, layout of vehicle and more

importantly the reason behind why we have done anything in the vehicle, which

gives him a good idea about our design and engineering skills. This test

emphasizes more over participant’s skills and is conducted for deciding the best

design award winner so does not carry any points.

Team ABHYUDAYA was declared as the BEST DESIGN AWARD winner in

NGKC 2K14

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BAJA SAEINDIA

INTRODUCTION

Baja SAE is an intercollegiate engineering design competition for

undergraduate and graduate engineering students. The object of the competition is

to simulate real-world engineering design projects and their related challenges.

Each team is competing to have its design accepted for manufacture by a fictitious

firm. The students must function as a team to design, engineer, build, test, promote

and compete with a vehicle within the limits of the rules. They must also generate

financial support for their project and manage their educational priorities.

Each team's goal is to design and build a single-seat, all-terrain, sporting

vehicle whose structure contains the driver. The vehicle is to be a prototype for a

reliable, maintainable, ergonomic, and economic production vehicle which serves a

recreational user market, sized at approximately 4000 units per year. The vehicle

should aspire to market-leading performance in terms of speed, handling, ride, and

ruggedness over rough terrain and off-road conditions. Performance will be

measured by success in the dynamic events which are described in the Baja SAE

Rules, and are subject to event-site weather and course conditions.

BAJA SAEINDIA 2015

This competition is conducted in two phases which are virtual round or

design phase and dynamic event. We participated as team “PHALCONS” from

our institute.

Virtual round

In this round all the participating teams present their design and other work

reports and future plans. All the efforts towards designing, forming team and other

managerial works are made under the guidelines and constraints of the rule book

by the organizer.

120 teams out of around 360 were selected to fabricate and race with their

buggy at the dynamic event. “PHALCONS” was one of those got selected.

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CAD Modeled Views

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Dynamic Event

The dynamic event conducts different events regarding evaluation and

examination of vehicle performance and participant’s skills. All events (Technical

inspection and brake test) carry some marks which are further summed for the best

performer overall and for specific event.

The events conducted are Design Evaluation, Cost Evaluation, Sales

Presentation, Go/No Go, Technical Inspection, Bake Test, Acceleration,

Maneuverability, Hill Climb, Suspension and Traction and in the last Endurance.

Objective of different dynamic events

Acceleration- The Acceleration Event is designed to measure each

vehicle’s ability to come up to speed quickly from a standing start.

Acceleration is measured as the time to complete a 30.48 m (100 ft) or 45.72

m (150 ft) flat, straight course from a standing start. The course surface may

vary from pavement to loose dirt.

Hill climb or Traction- The Hill Climb Event is designed to measure

each vehicle’s ability to transmit excess (climbing) force to the ground. If

local terrain does not support a significant Hill Climb, a Traction Event may

be substituted, usually involving pulling an excess load.

Maneuverability - Maneuverability is designed to assess each vehicle’s

handling ability over typical Baja terrain. The course may consist of a

variety of challenges at the organizer’s option, possibly including tight turns,

pylon maneuvers, ruts and bumps, drop-offs, sand, rocks, gullies, logs, and

inclines.

Suspension test- Specialty events are designed to test the vehicle under

unique off-road conditions that might be available sometimes at Baja SAE

India competition sites. Examples of specialty events are: Rock Crawl; Mud

Bog; Suspension and Water Maneuverability. Specialty events will be

announced at the time of opening of registration for a competition.

Organizers will describe the event and define the procedure, penalties, and

scoring system to be followed.

Endurance- The endurance event assesses each vehicle’s ability to operate

continuously and at speed over rough terrain containing obstacles in any

weather conditions. Endurance may be run for either time or distance.

Endurance events for time usually run for four hours. Endurance events for

distance continue until at least one car has gone the specified distance.

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BALL THROWING MACHINE

OBJECTIVE

To study the working of a ball throwing machine

To design a ball throwing machine powered by a 1.5 hp DC

electric motor.

To create an innovative design with more versatility and ease

to operate.

To fabricate the machine and test its performance.

INTRODUCTION

Ball throwing machine which is also known as pitching machine, is a

machine that automatically pitches a ball in a better way at different speed and

styles. Balls pitched to change in instant at various speeds and with different pitch

types (ex. fastball, curveball, screwball and forkball). The machine operates by

containing a large number of balls and pitching them through a shoot over the net

to the player waiting on the other side of the net. They are used primarily for

training exercises to include basic shot making either at the baseline or up at the

net.

DESIGN CONSIDERATION

3 Rotational Degree Of Freedom- For versatility in the fields of

utility.

Higher Speed of Ball- For higher speed of ball for better

simulation of actual sporting condition.

Lighter Construction- For convenience in use and less efforts

required for operation.

Cheaper- A cheaper machine which is affordable to anybody.

Auto Feed For Balls- For safety and convenience in use, the

ball should be fed automatically

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DESIGN METHODOLOGY

Study of the subject

Definition of the

problem

Background research

Solution approach

CAD Modeling

Market Research

Design

Calculations

Analysis

Acceptable results

Optimization

Material Purchase

Fabrication

Testing

Acceptable Result

Solution Of Problem

Results communicated

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3D MODEL

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ADVANTAGE

The machine will keep players focused whilst training.

Players can gradually increase the speed, set the direction and the

trajectory of the tennis balls.

The portable ball machine does the pitching of the ball for players

accurately and the way they want it.

Players can focus on their swing and helps them to hit the balls the

right way without having to worry about what their training partner

is doing.

Players can use it anytime they like and anywhere.

Balanced centre of gravity for lesser efforts.

NEW FEATURES ADDED

The ball can be thrown at a wide range of position in all three axis

of rotation.

Speed of the ball is increased by increasing wheel speed by 4 times

of motor speed through belt drive.

Lighter construction achieved by using perforated GI angle

material.

Speed controller is used for convenience and safety.

The ball can be fed just by pushing lever, which is better for safety

n minimal lead time to reload.

Stoppers and angle dials are installed to set the machine for any

position.

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Balanced centre of gravity construction which allows the machine

to move with a lot lesser efforts.

MAIN PARTS OF THE MACHINE

Electric motor

Speed controller

Wheel and tyre

V-belt drive

Bearings

Perforated angles

COMPARISON BETWEEN OLD DESIGNED AND NEWLY

DESIGNED MACHINE

o NEW o OLD

Works over thee axis Works over one axis

Ball can be thrown at

different angle and speed

Can’t throw at different angle

A very high speed range of

up to 160 kmph

Can throw only up to 60kmph

Enhanced accuracy Less accurate

Can be used for different

sports having small size up

to 8cm dia.

Do not have this versatility

Balls are fed automatically Hand fed

Used for different sports

application like batting

fielding etc.

On can be used for bowling

in one kind of sport.

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NEW & OLD MACHINE

CONCLUSION

As we have achieved our objective to innovate the basic design

of a ball throwing machine. We have achieved a speed of up to 160

kmph with nice handling of machine. The machine can be set at

different positions and also can be run over free mode in which the

position can be changed continuously ball after ball. The ball can be

fed by pushing a lever which is much convenient. So this machine

has proved its utility in sports like cricket, tennis, baseball , softball

or in any other sport having similar ball size.

Further this machine can perform even better with the use of

modern light weight and efficient motors. Use of concave tyre profile

will provide better grip and accuracy to the ball. For moving the

machine from place to place, the tripod can upgraded with wheels

with stoppers. Also a bucket can be installed on the top to allow

more balls to be loaded at once.