Week 2

This week we had to make the front bumper using a one inch pipe. We first had to cut the pipe to make it approximately 15 inches using a machine called a Bandsaw. The bandsaw is very self-explanatory, it uses a high-powered saw to cut through metal. However it uses a liquid called coolant to make it easy for the saw to cut through the metal as well as preventing the machine from overheating. Next we had to take the 15 inch pipe and give it softer edges since the bandsaw leaves the pipe with very rough edges. We had to use a coping machine in order to smooth out the ends. The coping machine uses a high-powered end to cut through the pipe and make it smoother. Next the pipe must be bent in the shape of the front bumper. BAJA SAE regulation requires that the bumper have two and a half inches of space between the bumper and the front of the car. To bend the pipe we used a pipe bending machine that let us bend the ends of the pipe where we would weld the pipe to the front of the car. Finally the welder on the BAJA team came and welded the bumper to the car using a tack weld to hold it in place and then if the bumper is straight and meets all standards, the team wills fully weld it on to the car.