1. JithinVadakel@gmail.com 18978 E Napa Dr. Aurora CO 80013 (303) 912-5244
Team Website: www.lynxmotorsports.org
EDUCATION
University of Colorado Denver
Mechanical Engineering
Formula SAE Aerodynamics/Ergonomics Lead
SME Chapter S324 Chair
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Composites Fabrication
CAD/CAM Mastery
FEA/CFD Simulation
TIG/MIG Welding
Additive Manufacturing
JITHIN VADAKEL
PROJECT PORTFOLIO
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Jithin Vadakel
Introduction
I am a senior Mechanical Engineering student graduating in December, 2016. It is my hope to give the reader
a better perspective on what makes me unique as a student, leader, and self-starter. Here are some of the projects I
have completed over the past 2 years.
Formula SAE
I was on a team of 11 individuals who went by the name of Lynx Motorsports at the University of Colorado
Denver. We formed our team and began designing and fundraising for our formula racecar in January of 2015. Over
the course of the next year and a half we spent countless hours designing, building, testing, and marketing our
product; continually applying principles we learned both in class and from professionals we consulted with.
My role in the project was to design and fabricate all the carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP)
components on the car. Having such a small team required that I also be in charge of fundraising and marketing. As
the Business manager, I personally raised $7,200 out the total $35,000 raised by the team. The picture below is of my
team and I (far left) posing with the check The Gene Haas Foundation generously donated to our team.
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Jithin Vadakel
Initial 3D Render of the Lynx 1.0
The Lynx 1.0 at the 2016 Formula SAE Competition in Nebraska
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Jithin Vadakel
FEA Performed on the head-restraint device
Flow simulation results showing the pressure cut-plot of the airfoils in the rear wing package
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Jithin Vadakel
Velocity trajectories of the initial undertray design showing vortices developing rear of the diffusers
ANSYS Fluent cross-section showing prism layer growth for the mesh development for the simulation of the undertray (moving ground
plane at the bottom and the front view of the venturi tunnel)
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Jithin Vadakel
Machining polystyrene foam sections for the nose-cone mold using the Haas CNC Mill. All the G-Codes were produced using
EDGECAM
Nose-cone mold seen here is taking shape. The mold was then sealed using an acrylic gesso before laying up the CFRTP panels.
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Jithin Vadakel
The mold for the bucket seat. I produced a fiberglass male mold using the plug shown here on which I laid up the final CFRTP bucket seat
Adjustable pedal assembly with CFRTP and Aluminum sandwich tray. The pedals were machined in house using 6065 Aluminum.
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Jithin Vadakel
CFRTP steering wheel and dashboard panel where the MoTeC C125 and controls were mounted. Special attention was paid during the
development of the cockpit by having the drivers sit and provide feedback. This optimized visibility, comfort, and performance.
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Jithin Vadakel
The machined and gelcoated polyisocyanurate foam molds and Intake Plenum before finishing
Intake plenum halves finished and ready to connect and seal
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During testing, we discovered a leak in the throttle-body and plenum assembly which required a repair. I performed a repair vacuum
bagging layup.
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Vacuum bag layup for the CRFTP firewall. The part was laid up on using an Aluminum sheet that was cut and welded to create the
desired shape.
Finished firewall with fire-resistant foil
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Jithin Vadakel
Undertray mold with polyester gelcoat (Left). The undertray was the largest vacuum bag layup I performed (Right).
Finished and attached undertray. It should be noted that the sidepods were produced by first creating a mold using 2 lb density expanding
urethane foam. The foam mold was then gelcoated and prepared for the CFRTP layup..
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Jithin Vadakel
Getting ready to drive for the endurance event
We were 1 out of 21 teams to complete the endurance event out of the 71 that started.
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Jithin Vadakel
Vehicle Instrumentation
I attended this elective course to learn the basics of motorsport instrumentation, telemetry, and data acquisition.
Below are some of the projects I completed throughout the course.
1. Baja Vehicle Drop-Test: A 3 ft drop-test was performed on a Baja vehicle in order to simulate the dynamic loading
conditions seen during a race. Linear potentiometers were attached using 3D printed brackets in parallel to the
shocks to measure their displacement. The roll stiffness of the car, the equivalent cornering speed (assuming a 30 ft
radius with 100 lbs of force applied to the side of the car), and the forces present at three different shock and tire
pressures were also determined by the end of this experiment.
Approxiamte height of calculated CG for roll stiffness calculation
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The Roll Stiffness Test
A 3D Printed ABS bracket that failed during testing and had to be redesigned
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2. Steering Position Sensor: A team of 3 individuals were tasked with designing and building a functional angle
sensor. We purchased a rotary potentiometer, built a bracket that will hold the sensor, and 3D printed a
polyurethane belt that attached the assembly to the steering column. The output signal was sent to the MoTeC
C125 and read in real time.
Steering Position Sensor
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Jithin Vadakel
3. Data Acquisition of VW Passat: A basic DAQ experiment was performed while driving the vehicle at varying
speeds on a predetermined course. The vehicle was instrumented with a bluetooth OBDII scan tool relaying
information through the mobile application called TorquePro. Vehicle position, speed, and throttle position was
documented and analyzed.
Course taken by the vehicle
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The 3D Contour map of the test produced in MATLAB
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2.45 2.55 2.65 2.75 2.85 2.95 3.05 3.15
ThrottlePosition(%)
Distance (miles)
Throttle Position vs. Distance (15 mph)
