Drill Powered Bike

By Cole Rutkowski

Frame Cover Picture

Introduction:

               In the final project of the Component Design course at CU Boulder, mechanical engineering students are tasked with designing and manufacturing a drill-powered bike. Building on concepts from Statics and Solids, the class focuses on analyzing and calculating stress concentrations, design factors, factors of safety, fatigue, and failure modes. Students also learn to on design and select bearings, fasteners, screws, shafts, DC motors,and gear ratios to meet calculated load requirements.

Design Requirements

  • Actuation may only be provided by the supplied cordless electric drill. Only one battery can be used for a race attempt.
  • A driver must complete the course while riding on the vehicle
  • The maximum weight of the vehicle must be less than 50lbs
  • The cost of the vehicle at the run-off must be less than $200
  • The vehicle must not be two-wheeled
  • Each team may use half of a commercial bike frame, if desired i.e. front fork and or rear triangle
  • Your team must manufacture at least 1 component which requires custom machining using a mill, lathe, and/or welding. This component cannot be readily purchased as an off-the-shelf part.
  • Your design must have an aesthetic theme

    • Introduction:

    Image 18: CO2 Emissions by aluminum industry37

    CO2 Emissions

    Image 19: C02 Content in the Atmosphere since 196038

    CO2 Emissions

    Citations