Germany-based
norelem, which has a subsidiary in Birmingham, showed its continued support for young engineering talent by recently sponsoring a range of standard components for a recent student project at the
Munich Technical School. The students devised the concept of a motorised drift trike and managed the project from initial design right through to completion.
Drift trikes were originally developed in the 1970s to drift downhill through bends on a road. Californian enthusiast Marty Spellman created a number of non-motorised drift trikes, so that he could race his friends. Since then, drift triking has grabbed the imagination of people worldwide.
The drifting involves a deliberate loss of traction in the rear wheels. In other words, the vehicle is oversteered in a controlled manner so that it can manoeuvre around corners at a constant high speed. For this project, driving on even roads called for a 200cc 6.5hp Honda engine with 6.5hp. Equally, in order for the trike to perform drifts, it required the pressing of hard plastic tubes over the rear tyres, and so a number of PVC pipes were provided, too.
norelem aided the students at Munich Technical School by providing multiple components. The sliding system, consisting of a guide carriage and rail, allows for clean seat adjustments with very little play. This sliding system is then bolted to the frame and secured with norelem locking bolts to ensure that it does not move around. Additionally, a norelem rubber bearing was installed on the frame to ensures that the motors vibrations are reduced, which means that any potential damage to the chain guard, engine or frame can be prevented.
This project is another addition to the many student projects that norelem have supported in recent years. Indeed, any opportunity to provide components to a project that aims to further any aspect of the manufacturing industry fulfils the goals of the norelem Academy. From providing product training on common parts to technical training on a broad range of design topics, norelem Academy subscribes itself to support the development and knowledge sharing for talented engineers at all stages of their careers.
Additionally, a business belief is also realised by the norelem Academy through the targeted promotion of young talent. A key element of this is the advancement of educational and student projects, for which norelem provides free materials, including priceless technical advice from the company’s experts.