Solar Car Frames
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MSXII will use a steel space frame.
Metal Space Frame
A space frame uses lengths of round or square tubing, or other structural metal shapes to form the chassis structure. Although many solar car teams are trying to use more composites in their cars, many teams such as Principia, Appalachian, Iowa State and ETS Quebec still build space frame type vehicles. The aforementioned teams all competed successfully at FSGP and ASC 2016. Space frames are also commonly used by other design teams such as FSAE and Baja.
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| GTM supercar space frame | A look at Principia's space frame |
Unibody
Monocoque
A monocoque is a structural system where loads are supported through an object's external skin, similar to an egg shell. MSXI used a monocoque as its frame which presented numerous challenges with regards to structure, manufacturing and serviceability. Due to these challenges, most solar car teams do not elect to use a monocoque.
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| A Lamborghini Aventador has a carbon fibre central monocoque, with front and rear steel subframes. | MSXI's monocoque prior to vinyl wrapping. |
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