The Mechanical Team is a very large subteam comprised of sections including Dynamics, Structures (Aerobody and Chassis), Interiors and Battery Box. To give a general summary of each of the sections:
Dynamics is in charge of all things that move: suspension, steering and brakes. We work with the design, testing, and assembly of these systems with the rest of the car.
Structures is in charge of all things that do not move, which include the chassis and aerobody subteams. This term, we are mostly working on composite manufacturing using carbon fibre.
Battery Box is in charge of giving the car power to move. We assemble hundreds of lithium-ion battery cells into a battery pack that provides the necessary voltage and current for our motors.
Interiors is in charge of the design, manufacture, and execution of MSXIV's interior. This includes everything from ergonomics to driver ventilation to interior material selection.
Important
Upcoming 101 | Saturday, May 15 @ 2:00 PM ET |
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Weekly Meetings | Interiors: Wednesdays, 7:30 PM ET Mechanical (Dynamics and Structures): Wednesday, 8:00 - 9:00 PM ET Saturday, 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET Mech General Onboarding Project: Wednesday, 8:30 - 9:30 PM ET Battery Box: Thursdays, 7:30 PM ET Onsite Meetings: Please join subteam meetings above for more information. |
Term Goals
Dynamics |
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Battery Box |
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Interiors |
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Structures |
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Term Projects
Dynamics |
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Structures |
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Battery Box |
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Software & Programs Used
Software/Program Name | What it’s used for |
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SolidWorks | Computer Aided Design (CAD) usage to view, edit, and design parts and assemblies of the vehicle. |
Ansys | Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to determine if parts will handle the loads that they will experience in the car |
Python | Battery Testing Data Processing to better understand our cells and choose the optimal combination to put in the car. |
Your Fall 2021 Subteam Leads & Project Managers
Tommy Tran - Mechanical Lead
About Me
Hi, my name is Tommy and I just completed my 2B term in Mech.
I am on a co-op term for Winter 2021!
I’ve been on the Mechanical team since May 2019.
I enjoy learning all kinds of things and taking part in all types of projects.
I ask a lot of questions.
My favourite colour is red.
Talk to Me About
Don’t talk to me - I’m busy working 😠
Jk - feel free to reach out about anything!
I’m happy to answer questions about the team, your assignment, university, and anything for the most part -
I’ll see how I can help 
(I have longer hair rn)
Leif Blake - Dynamics Technical Lead
About Me
Hi, I’m Leif (layfe). I just wrapped up my 2B term in Tron, and am currently on co-op at UCalgary. I’ve been on the team since September 2018, but only really started getting actively involved in January 2019. My previous co-ops were with Cygnus Tech. and Forcen, both quite small companies. I enjoy working on problems from first principles, and learning the theory behind what I’m doing in my designs.
Talk to Me About
Physics, Orienteering (google it), any interesting outdoor trips you’ve been on, ISO 8601
( I have shorter hair rn)
SJ Yang - Structures Technical Advisor
About Me
Hi I’m SJ, I just finished my 2B term in mechanical engineering! Like Leif and Micah, I’ve also been on the team since 1A, and I originally designed parts for the chassis and interiors subteams. My co-ops so far have mainly been in mechanical design and manufacturing for CNC machining. I’m planning on dabbling in robotics and hope to one day kickoff a startup in the field of consumer products!
Talk to Me About
Indie fashion designers, music production, bad falls from longboarding/skateboarding… and structures-related questions I guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Min Lu - Aerobody Lead
About Me
Hey! My name is Min and I just finished my second work term at Forward Robotics and am in my 2B term of Mechatronics Engineering. I joined Midnight Sun in April 2020 and I now lead the composites manufacturing for Aerobody although I also dabble in some FEA projects as well. I look forward to working with all of you!
Talk to Me About
I’m always ready to chat, just shoot me a message on slack! I’m down to talk about anything but on the more professional side, I can offer help with anything Aerobody manufacturing-related as well as any school/co-op advice!
My interests primarily lie in space, aviation, and F1 but I’m down to chat about anything 😃
Michael Hanley - Assistant Aerobody Lead
About Me
Hey! My name is Michael and I just finished 1B of Nanotechnology Engineering. I am currently at my first coop term at Engineering CPR where we mainly make brain and spine surgical devices. I joined Midnight Sun back in the beginning of 1A and I’ll mainly be leading the composites manufacturing for Aerobody this term while helping out with other mechanical sub teams as I can. You can always approach me if you have questions or just want a friend to talk to!
Talk to Me About
I am a really big sports fan, I love to watch basketball, soccer and football. I also love to play sports as I have played competitive sports most of my life, so shoot me a message if you want to play or talk about it!
I really enjoy material science and chemistry (hence my choice to go in nano). Still got a lot learn but I’m always looking to improve and learn more all the time. :D
Always looking to make more friends so message me about anything, I’m always happy to talk!
Kimberly Liu - Chassis Lead
About Me
Hello! I'm currently in my 2B term of mechanical engineering and joined Midnight Sun back in 1B. I've completed three co-op terms at a research lab in QNC, Magna International and Dana. Last term, I worked on designing the chassis welding jig which will be manufactured and assembled this term.
Talk to Me About
Some of my interests include travelling and visual arts. Feel free to ask me any questions about chassis manufacturing, school or co-op!
Catherine Cai - Mechanical Project Manager
About Me
Hi everyone, my name is Catherine and I am currently in my 2B Computer Engineering academic term. I have joined the team in Fall 2018 and have since worked on various systems on the team, including being the Solar Array lead, working on the electrical and mechanical teams, as well as Strategy. I am currently Midnight Sun’s PM and will be helping lead the Mechanical team, Firmware, and Business teams.
Talk to Me About
Anything really! If you want to chat, learn more about the team, engineering, the student experience at Waterloo, or co-op (I specialize in Software and Project Management). If you’re looking to learn more about other teams or looking for tasks, feel free to send me a message! On a non-team/school related note, you can ask me about German history, AI, or F1!
Yanshen Zhou - Structures Assistant Project Manager
About Me
Hey, my name is Yanshen and I am a mechanical engineering student currently in my 2A term. I joined the team in January 2021 and have been working predominantly within the Structures sub-team but more recently with Dynamics as well.
Talk to Me About
Midnight Sun, school, or anything on your mind - I’m all ears! I like to play hockey and tennis and also love to go fishing and explore the outdoors, so if any of those tickle your fancy, feel free to talk to me about it.
Renzo Villanoy - Interiors Lead
About Me
Heyo I’m Renzo and I’m just starting my 3A term as a fellow Mech boi and have been with Interiors since Fall 2019. In addition to being one of the co-leads for Interiors, I’ll also be managing the design/manufacturing of the battery enclosure and dashboard for MSXIV.
Talk to Me About
Design, drawing and animation. I love to draw and have been at it for as long as I can remember. One of my goals was (and is) to get into the animation biz someday (Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse is a modern masterpiece and I will fight anyone who says otherwise). I also rock climb (indoor) and am all about that boulder life.
(I have longer hair rn)
Ali Arshad - Interiors Lead
About Me
Hey! I just finished my 2A Mechatronics engineering term. I’ll be learning and working with Renzo to co-lead the interiors team starting S2021 with a focus on dashboard design and manufacturing for MSXIV along with other upcoming projects. Looking forward to working with everyone!
Talk to Me About
My interests include product design as well as robotics. While I am in Tron, I’m more of a mech boi and so I love learning and discussing new mechanical engineering concepts and solutions.
In my free time, you can find me working on my car (hmu if you’re a fellow JDM fanboy), playing soccer, or modeling random things on Solidworks. Anyways I love meeting and making new friends so feel free to reach out, I’m always down to talk.
Sheila Afros - Interiors Project Manager
About Me
Hi! I just finished my 3A term of MGMT eng and just started my 4th coop term. I have been on the interiors team since F2018. I am one of the DRI’s for the seats project (materials, manufacturing, and assembly). I am super excited to be helping out with PM tasks for Interiors.
Talk to Me About
Honestly anything, always happy to chat!
In terms of school ask me about supply chain opti, forecasting, and stochastic models/methods. In terms of personal interests I love art history, traveling (when that was allowed), and figure skating. My coop terms have been/are in the data science/management area so super down to talk about data management processes as well.
(This is from before university but I haven’t changed much)
Micah Black - Battery Box Technical Lead
About Me
I’ve been on Midnight Sun since my 1A term in Sept. 2018. I am now in my 2B term of Mechatronics Engineering and have completed 3 coops at Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions, Pegasus Aeronautics, and Tesla. I like to learn as much as I can and often spend time figuring out why specifications exist (e.g. Why is the maximum charge voltage for a lithium-ion cell specifically 4.2V?) in order to make better design decisions.
I love understanding manufacturing methods and the constraints (and freedoms) that CNC machining, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Water jet cutting etc. give to your designs. At the end of the day, if your part can’t be made, the design is not complete.
I also seem to have taken on the role of Midnight Sun’s 3D Printing expert so if you have any questions about that, I’d love to chat.
I’m also one of the Technical Leads on the hardware team, focusing on the integration of the electrical systems into the car and providing design guidance for many of the PCBs.
In my spare time, you might find me going for runs, mountain biking, or playing board games (Catan, Terraforming Mars, etc.).
Talk to Me About
Anything battery, hardware related, coop tips, manufacturing, side projects, or anything that interests you.
Going off Adrian’s lead, I enjoy watching the latest uploads from Smarter Every Day, Wintergatan, and Sampson Boat Co.
Owen Li - Battery Box Project Manager
About Me
Hello! I just finished co-op at a start-up and I’m going into my 1B term in Mechatronics Engineering. I work with Micah as the Battery Box Project Manager as well as doing Solidworks design. I’m also interested in batteries and learning more about them!
In my spare time you’ll find me playing basketball, watching youtube, or sleeping.
Talk to Me About
I like robots, basketball, soccer, MMA, most sports, and cars. But message me about anything! Always happy to talk :)