superstructure DESIGN

Each year, GNCTR Guelph designs and fabricates a toboggan that meets a vast list of criteria and constraints. Typical criteria include the toboggan possessing a fully functioning braking and steering mechanism and a fully contained roll cage, as well as the total weight of the assembled toboggan being under 350 lbs. Advanced engineering software such as Solidworks, ANSYS, and MasterCAM are paired with academic engineering knowledge learned in coursework to bring concepts to reality.

The steering mechanisms are typically inspired by assemblies seen on go-karts, bobsleds, and many other hobby vehicles. The braking mechanisms usually represent a dragging claw or anchor, used to stop the toboggan safely from speeds up to 60 km/h. The entire frame is subject to advanced simulations and testing in the scenarios of frontal impact, side impact, and complete rollover to ensure the safety of its five riders. The team must provide an in-depth Safety Report to the organizing committee of the competition before any fabrication can begin, and defend all designs in a cumulative technical report and presentation that is analyzed by industry professionals.

The toboggan is fabricated in-house by GNCTR Guelph team members, all students of engineering at Guelph. Members apply many different manufacturing and fabrication processes’ learned throughout their study at the University of Guelph such as drilling, tapping, welding, and even writing CNC code required for advanced machining utilizing state-of-the-art CNC lathes and mills.