The fact that the smallest, weight-saving details are important in racing is demonstrated by the Speeding Scientists Siegen. The racing team from the University of Siegen, which takes part in the Formula Student racing series for young academics with its racing car called "Molly", uses quick-fastening elements from ACE to effectively decouple the power electronics from the chassis vibrations of the electrically powered racing car.

In 2019, the Siegen team, which is organized in a club and has around 30 members, opted for the first monocoque construction made of aluminium in more than ten years of racing activity. The decision to use the light metal monocoque was made not only for economic reasons, but also because of its better torsional rigidity compared to conventional tubular frames.

Quick-fastening elements from ACE (arrows) protect the power electronics by decoupling them from the chassis vibrations of the electrically powered racing car. © ACE

Many parts are made of carbon and unique 3D printed components and were analyzed in CFD simulations. They help Molly accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in less than three seconds and generate a downforce of up to 2,700 newtons at a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour. Self-developed electric motors with 29 kilowatts and 46 Newton meters provide the drive, and the inverters installed in the racing car are designed to save space and weight.

The students from Siegen turned to ACE for vibration damping of the power electronics and to protect all high-voltage components. There, the team learned that the Flex Locs, which are suitable for a load range of 0.4 to 28 kilograms, effectively decouple two components from each other. In this case, four of these detachable blind rivet connections were then installed to decouple the inverter from the car body.

ACE's Flex Locs quick-fastening elements are detachable blind rivet connections that provide simple vibration and shock insulation as well as insulation against structure-borne noise © ACE

With their help, the chassis can be controlled up to the stress limit in both test and racing mode. So far, the vibrations and shocks caused by this have not affected the electronics themselves. Tom Kellmann, 2019 member of the chassis team and team leader until 2018, sums up with satisfaction: "The quick-fastening elements from ACE are of good quality, easy to handle and, what is particularly important in racing: they are light!"

The Flex Locs are fixed in place using standard screws in sizes M3 to M8, whereby they tighten like rivets between the front and clamping side. The elastic connecting elements can also be fastened by screwing them into blind holes, for example to connect them to existing building structures. They isolate structural resonances down to 150 Hz. The degree of isolation that can be achieved against normal structural vibrations is up to 80 percent. When not used in racing, the main areas of application for these little helpers include power units and machines, cladding, sheet metal and flanges, as well as attachment elements on buildings, vans and construction machinery. as