This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Formula Student competition, where teams of mechanical-engineering students design and produce a single-seat racing car to compete in static and dynamic competitions.
The University of Sheffield has competed for the past 10 years under the team name Sheffield Formula Racing (SFR), challenging some of the leading universities from the UK and world-wide.
This year saw SFR deliver its best results to date, finishing as the second-highest placed UK team, and fifth overall (out of 81).
It also won accolades for the most efficient vehicle with an internal-combustion engine — and the lightest, weighing in at just 158kg.
The competition helps to develop valuable skill sets for those taking part, including the application of engineering analysis and design, teamwork, networking, advanced-manufacturing techniques, and business and financial planning, part of which is working with local suppliers and partners while developing the car.
Sheffield-based Ceratizit UK & Ireland, through its WNT brand (
www.wnt.com/uk), was happy to contribute sponsorship in the form of cutting tools.
SFR’s Aidan Charity said: “The WNT tools supplied by Ceratizit allow the machining of hard alloys, in particular our 3-D printed titanium parts.
“They have made a big difference to our machining times and capabilities, giving us much faster cycle times and improved surface finishes.”