Buffalo Baja Bengals (Baja SAE)

David Figueroa, ENT422: Machine Design IIFaculty Mentor(s): Professor Jikai Du, Engineering Technology Baja SAE® (Society of Automotive Engineers), which began in 1976, sponsors annual competitions that simulate real-world engineering design projects and their related challenges. Engineering students are tasked with designing and building an off-road vehicle that will survive the severe punishment of rough terrain. Each team\u27s goal is to design and build a single-seat, all-terrain, sporting vehicle whose structure contains the driver. SUNY-Buffalo State College has been competing in the Baja SAE for over 20 years, finding new concepts to make our new vehicle better each year. This year\u27s competition has currently undergone an alternative format because of Covid-19. This alternative split the competition into two separate competitions: (1) Baja SAE Knowledge Event (completely virtual), and (2) Baja SAE Validation Event (virtual & in-person). Due to SUNY\u27s Covid-19 policy, we are only taking part in the Knowledge Event, for which we have transformed our vehicle design from a RWD to a 4WD. Our vehicle\u27s 10HP engine powers our Gearbox, which provides speed and torque conversions to the Front and Rear differential to activate all 4 wheels with the support of a Driveshaft. The Driveshaft in between the Gearbox and Front differential has a component known as a Switch-Out, similar to a Transfer case but much lighter. This Switch-Out will let the driver switch from 2WD to 4WD manually.https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/srcc-sp21-compeng/1006/thumbnail.jp