Andrew Deckard instructs Ryan Crawford, left, and Javier Medina how to assemble one of the five new CAD computers purchased by MINDDRIVE. Andrew was a student in the first two years of the program and he is now our computer expert. He designed and ordered the new computers that will be used to teach SolidWorks to our students.
A typical Saturday class has students of various levels working with mentors on different projects.
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Even though the final class in this session was last Saturday, students and mentors met at the Minddrive shop on Wednesday night to continue working on the second car known as Project Reynard. The hub motor is mounted, in place and operating. Students began applying a new see-through skin to the body’s framework. Andrew Deckard brought his powerful, self-built computer into the shop so he could begin learning the 3D CAD Solid Works program. Mentor Walt Accurso got him started.
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Huyi Rodriguez explains what MINDDRIVE is and what he and our other students are trying to achieve by building an electric car. We are posting this for all of you who prefer to listen in Spanish!
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Huyi Rodriguez gives an explanation of the class in Spanish.
Last Saturday, more than 150 people toured the MINDDRIVE shop, visited with students and viewed the two electric car projects. One of the day’s highlights was the presentation of a $4,000 check by Larry Carl, executive vice president of the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Kansas City. Students prepared a video presentation and designed T-shirts that were sold to raise money. Steve Rees and Linda Buchner gave a special thanks to Steve Karbank and Phil Kirk for their generous support of the program.
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Today, the shop was a beehive of activity. Nathan Park from the University of Missouri came to visit and explained the Tigergen II hydrogen car. MU students participated in the Shell Eco-marathon April 14-17, 2011 in Houston, and they’re designing Tigergen III for the UrbanConcept Challenge. It was encouraging to share information between the two programs and note the similarities between our projects.
Students and mentors broke into five groups, each working on specific tasks such as suspension repair, body design and fender construction. The communications class continued interviewing students and mentors and preparing biographies.
By Itoya McConnell, student of MINDDRIVE, 2011
Maker Faire Kansas City Display of 2011 MINDDRIVE Electric Car
Thirteen students and six mentors from the MINDDRIVE summer class displayed the prototype of their new electric car at the Maker Faire on Saturday, June 25 at Kansas City’s Union Station.
Although it was a very hot day it was also a very productive day for the new car and the new class. Most people that stopped to view the car and listen to information about it had no idea about the car that was built last year, so in the process of informing people about this year’s car we gained followers for next years car and any future cars after that. Read More→
By Elias Williams, Student of MINDDRIVE, 2011
Recipient of MINDDRIVE Award for Excellence in Design
Art of the Car Concours
The MINDDRIVE students and mentors attended the fifth annual Art of the Car Concours a fundraising event hosted by the Art institute of Kansas City for their scholarship fund. In its five years of existence the Concours has grown in attendance and participation. Nearly two hundred cars filled the grounds of the Art Institute this year, from early 1900’s cars to luxury cars of the 50’s and 60’s.
One of the rarest cars there was a 1950 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Limousine. Built by the luxury British car maker this specific model at the concours was built “specifically for Royalty” claims the owner. The massive automobile sported a couch for the backseat and is one of the earliest cars to use a retractable semaphore or turning signal. Most of the cars there were considered innovative in their times.
The MINDDRIVE electric car was invited to the car show this year for following the model of the other attendees and being innovative in the 21st century. With its new concept exterior the car was finally revealed to the public. Its sleek transparent design definitely stood out among the early to mid 20th century cars featured at the show.
The students and mentors were busy a majority of the day, answering questions and doing their best to tell the story of the car and the MINDDRIVE program.
The students were asked to select a recipient from the lot of cars for the “MINDDRIVE Award for Excellence innovation in Design” which was given to the Turqouise 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air owned by Bob Kenney Sr. This award was started three years ago when founders were asked by the Art Institute to give an award and was originally named for the school MINDDRIVE was founded in, De La Salle. Being that MINDDRIVE is now a stand-alone non-profit organization hosting five schools from the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
Several MINDDRIVE students and mentors participated today in the Art of the Car Concours at the Kansas City Art Institute. This car, based on a Reynard Indy chassis, is in the preliminary design stage, but the body, made from transparent plastic film, is similar to the car created last year. Students below are, from left, Ehiner Perez, Elias Williams and Itoya McConnell.
This past week we took delivery of a 1998 Reynard Indy Car that will be used for the upcoming Automotive Design Studio project. This project will have similar perimeters to last year’s car. It will be an ultra lightweight simplistic electric car that will strive to attain the highest possible efficiency. The efficiency will be measured in miles per gallon equivalent for an electric car. There is a factor for calculating the value of electrical energy per a gallon of gasoline. Last year the student’s car attained 443 miles per gallon equivalent. This new car, with what was learned last year is anticipated to increase the efficiency by 20% over that last year which would put the final number at 495.6 MPGe. You can bet that we will be working to hit 500 MPGe. The new car is similar to the 2000 Lola chassis from last year.
