This commitment also includes sponsoring the VDI Racing Camp - a preparatory event for the international Formula Student design competition. The racing cars tested there are also moving towards electromobility. A technical challenge that the students master with content support and components from Norelem.

"As a manufacturer of standard and operating parts, we are a system supplier for an enormous range of industries," explains Martin Ahner, Head of the Norelem Academy. "We see it as our duty to pass on the know-how about our products and their application to our customers. In particular, we want to draw attention to the time savings associated with standard components in the design phase." The company starts with young designers, who can see the benefits of the products for themselves at competitions such as the VDI Racing Camp.

VDI Racing Camp 2022 - powered by Norelem

After a forced break due to coronavirus, Norelem was able to hold its second event together with the VDI this summer. The location was the test track of the open-air research laboratory for load securing in Selm, Westphalia. This flagship logistics project under the umbrella of the non-profit organization F&T LaSiSe gGmbH provides impetus for the best possible safety. The test track itself was ideally suited for the event.

Over four days, more than 20 teams and over 300 participants had the opportunity to improve their vehicles and prove their skills under competitive conditions. "The participants were also able to get to know new products at the Norelem show truck," says Martin Ahner. "There was a lively exchange between the Norelem ACADEMY technicians and the students."

A good mix of professionals and newcomers

When selecting the teams for the VDI Racing Camp powered by Norelem, attention is always paid to a good mix. This means that new and unknown teams are allowed to take part every year. It is important to note that all teams in the Formula Student competition are dependent on sponsorship - and there are big differences between the top teams and the newcomers. In addition, the expertise is also completely different. This is where the opportunity to exchange ideas during the racing camp helps: after all, every team faces similar challenges, which can be overcome through mutual support.

Norelem components are often used in the wheel suspension of students' racing cars - for example rod ends, forks and angle joints. Equipment construction also plays a major role: here, aluminum profiles, handles, wheels and telescopic rails are used to create complex assembly tables or sophisticated loading systems for the vehicle. "It is remarkable that the current requirements on the automotive market are also reflected at our event," says Martin Ahner. "This time we only had a few cars with combustion engines, the majority were electric cars."

Gathering experiences and adventures

Among the participants in this year's camp is the Bodensee Racing Team from Constance, which has been active in Formula Student since 2006. In 2021, the young designers switched to an electric drive and have been gathering experience ever since. Sharing and building knowledge was therefore also at the top of the agenda for the racing camp - in addition to valuable testing time in a professional environment. When problems arose with the inverter, they were solved with the help of other teams. The students cite fitting screws as an example of Norelem components that are installed in the current ILTIS 22E racing car: these components are needed, for example, to connect the electric motor to the frame or to integrate the battery in the car. In addition, item profiles from Norelem are used - for example in the production of the carbon furnace or in fixture construction.

Screws, nuts, washers - these and other Norelem parts are used by Rennschmiede Pforzheim in its racing car, which this year consists of a monocoque for the first time. The two electric drives on the rear axle provide the necessary propulsion. The students from technical, economics and design courses install dowel pins and screws in the gearbox to enable power transmission. Norelem standard parts were also used to set up an engine test bench. The team sees the racing camp itself as good preparation for the world championship - most of the disciplines can be simulated here and the general organizational tasks surrounding the events can be rehearsed.

Sponsor support is appreciated

The Formula Student Team Weingarten has already built 15 racing cars since 2008, making it one of the veterans of the competition. In the 2022 season, the team took on a new challenge and designed and built a fully electrically powered racing car for the first time. The "Stinger 22E" is equipped with a full carbon monocoque and four wheel hub motors, which ensure optimum all-wheel drive thanks to adequate torque vectoring. The electric drive of the racing car is supported by O-rings from Norelem, which are used in the cooling jacket for the electric motor - they help to seal the water cooling circuit well. The team also installed drill bushings and dowel pins, among other things - the latter contribute significantly to a high-quality monocoque.

The support from Norelem is also a great relief for this team. After all, the procurement of components would otherwise be very costly and time-consuming - and in the short Formula Student season, time is an enormously important factor. The racing camp gave the team the opportunity to drive their first test meters - but the scrutineering was also a good preparation for the following events. At the top of the list of positives, however, was the exchange with the other teams and the willingness to help each other. You can achieve the most together - especially when you are faced with new challenges.

Emily Kipp, Head of Marketing at Norelem