Manufacturing and Engineering Magazine Volume 420 - September 2015 | Page 60

bloodhound.qxp_feature 2 06/08/2015 13:17 Page 58

MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING BLOODHOUND PROJECT
capability (just 200mph), the parachutes will be
deployed to ensure their effectiveness in stopping the vehicle. Additionally, this run is an
opportunity for the team to collect vital data
on how the internal components of the car are
corresponding to one another and the overall
safety of the vehicle.
“The only way to test the effect of the
shockwave is to test the vehicle at increasing
speeds to monitor the various channels of data
(loads, pressures, vibrations, etc.) You'll do a
300mph run, analyse the data, if it looks good,
you'll do 350mph, and you'll keep going up in
small increments. At each point we'll check the
data we measure on the car against the numbers we expect to see, the calculated data. If it
corresponds, we can carry on going, if it doesn't, we need to stop and make a judgement call
as to whether it's safe to continue.”
Inevitably, the rigorousness of the testing
process has therefore held the project back
from attaining a speedy record. That said, the
length of the project has enabled Bloodhound
to capitalise on its primary motive: to reinvigorate the sciences and interest in mechanics for
generations to come. Its inception was provoked by the notice of educational fields like
mechanics and engineering becoming distinctly under-subscribed. It was therefore primarily
conceived for its educational capacity, as a
medium which could inspire future generations
and encourage them to pursue related degrees.
Half of the workforce is devoted to the educational programme, an initiative which includes
the opportunity to visit the Bloodhound
Project's design and engineering hub and learn
more about its revolutionary technology. It's
something which has been incredibly popular
and has seen different schools and colleges visiting several times a week, as well as enticing
local businesses. Project Director, Richard
Noble has intentions to keep the education
team together after the Bloodhound's final run,
providing funding is available so, while the
engineering team will disperse to various other
projects, there is a wish to continue the legacy.
The team will start deploying to Africa in summer 2016, coinciding with the end of the continent's winter season. As yet, no date is set for the
record attempt and Mark Elvin insists that the
land speed record will happen only when it's
entirely safe. “It's a dangerous thing to do, to set
a date, because you feel pressured to comply
with that date. Whatever happens, everyone has
to come home from that desert safely.”

the length of the project
has enabled Bloodhound
to capitalise on its
primary motive: to
reinvigorate the sciences
and interest in mechanics
for generations to come.

www.bloodhoundssc.com

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MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING MAGAZINE