An NDSU team of primarily mechanical engineering students is competing in the 17th annual Clean Snowmobile Challenge at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. The competition, which began March 7, continues through March 12.
The competition attracts student teams from across the northern United States and Canada, as well as the defending championship team from Finland. The 20 teams compete in three categories: internal combustion — gasoline; electric, also called zero emissions; and diesel utility. The NDSU team's sled is entered in the diesel division.
The NDSU team completed the necessary miles in the endurance run on March 8.
"It wasn't the best conditions for the endurance run – it was cold and wet, but the sled ran really well," said Trevor Fleischhacker, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering from Freeport, Minnesota.
He notes the team discovered some gearing issues during the second night in Michigan and they worked long hours to correct the problem. "We've really come together as a team during the competition. We're a resilient group," Fleischhacker said.
"Our team definitely had our work cut out for us. We came into the year with a wrecked chassis and a blown engine, so we pretty much had to start from scratch when it came to the main components of the sled," explained Danika Gieske, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering from Blaine, Minnesota. "My hope is that next year the team will have something to build off, so that they can have time to test and implement new, innovative designs into the sled."
Other team members enjoy examining other school entries. Brennen Morrell, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering from Bismarck, North Dakota, was surprised to see a team using parts made through 3-D printing.
"I'm learning a lot about innovation," Morrell said. "When you look at the way students are applying creativity, I'm learning how things can be done. That's a great takeaway, whether it's for future projects or future careers. I'm getting different ideas on how to be creative, which I think are fantastic for future use."
Now the NDSU squad is looking forward to emission, noise, pulling and cold start events.
"It's nice to see our hard work all year is paying off and our sled running strong," said Kelby Jacobson, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering from Kindred, North Dakota. "I think we'll finish strong in the events still at hand. Hopefully, our hard work will pay off at the awards banquet on Saturday."
Other NDSU students at the competition include:
• Trevor Borell, junior majoring in industrial engineering and management from Maple Lake, Minnesota
• Kai Halverson, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering from Rosemount, Minnesota
• Steve Miller, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering from Roseau, Minnesota
• Michael Restad, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering from Fargo
• Nels Wicklund, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering from Greenbush, Minnesota
The team's faculty adviser is Robert Pieri, professor of mechanical engineering.
The competition is sponsored by SAE International, an organization originally established as the Society of Automotive Engineers.
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