CVT Guarding
Olin Baja SAE
Skills Advanced: CAD (SolidWorks, Onshape), Sheet Metal Modeling, FEA/Topology/Frequency Studies, Statics, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Lathe, CNC/Manual Mill, Waterjet, Agile, Project Management
Objective: Protect the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) on the Olin Baja buggy with a rules-legal cover. Prioritize manufacturability and CVT accessibility/maintenance.
Previous CVT guarding designs on Olin Baja vehicles were extremely restrictive to CVT maintenance. They were unable to be completely removed from the car, and removing the front cover plate was a tedious process that did not allow the CVT to be removed or maintained reliably. In this design, I prioritized full accessibility and removal of the CVT and guarding in as little time as possible, optimizing the powertrain for the fast-paced competition environment.
Design:
14 ga. Hot-Rolled Mild Steel Sheet
Steel mesh allows airflow while preventing contamination and bodily harm
CAD done using SolidWorks sheet metal
Adjustable mounting pattern for assembly adjustments on the fly
Fabrication:
Waterjet front and rear mounting plates
Plasma cut & bend side panels with roller/finger brake
TIG weld permanent guarding together
Spot weld front Mesh
Paint guarding & rivet on the latches
Done!
The new design is comprised of a permanently mounted rear plate and protective hoop with a removable front cover. The permanent guarding bolts to the engine’s PTO shaft face and gearbox casing, ensuring rigid and vibration-resistant mounting. The front plate is attached with 4 sprung, locking latches, enabling full CVT access within 10 seconds, in contrast to the previously inaccessible guarding.
I continue to support this team as one of two Drivetrain Leads. We use the Agile framework for task management, identifying blockers to our progress and determining how to resolve them. I look forward to continuing to build my design, manufacturing, and management skills and expertise with this team!