BMS thesis in the wind tunnel

For their BMS thesis, students Jan Meschini, Jonas Zillig, and Timo Zuehlke developed an RC car with an innovative drive concept and a focus on aerodynamics. To test the effectiveness of their design, they were able to use the ZHAW wind tunnel in Winterthur.

After an introduction to the measurement methodology, both their self-built MZ201 and a commercially available comparison vehicle, the Tamiya TT02, were tested. The measurements recorded downforce and drag at different flow velocities. 

The results confirmed their expectations: while the Tamiya model generated hardly any downforce, the homemade model showed a significant increase at medium speeds, which improved cornering stability. At the same time, drag increased, a typical aerodynamic compromise, but one that made sense in terms of driving dynamics. 

The experiment was very instructive for the team and provided valuable insights for their project.