Construction of Formula 1 Racing Car

A formula 1 car is a jet fighter as it does with an ordinary road car. Its aerodynamics features have become a key to success in the sport and teams spend millions of dollars on research and development.

Step 1: Cutting

An ultrasonic cutting machine is used to measured sheets of resin-impregnated carbon fiber cloth. This machine is computer controlled and the cutting fiber has to be stored at 18 degree centigrade.

Step 2: Molding

This cutting sheet laid into molds patters in a special air-conditioned clean room .The material is then put in a vacuum bag.

Step 3: Autoclave

They are moved to the autoclave. A sealed vessel that applies pressure between 2 and 6 times normal atmospheric pressure. The pressure, combined with the vacuum bag, ensures that components fit the molds exactly, while the heat (usually between 130 and 140°C) hardens the resin.

Step 4: Assembly

The parts are sent to the assembly and this ensures that all parts can fit together properly. If drilling or other machining is required, the parts are sent back to the CNC division.

Engine Technology

Only two other F1 teams (Ferrari & Renault) constructs both its own engines and chassis. The close coordination between these two technical departments confers an advantage because it enables Panasonic Toyota Racing's designers and engineers to envision the car as a whole from the very first concept drawings. The word "drawing" is something of a misnomer, since the engines and chassis are designed on computers using CATIA CAD software. It takes around 1500 detailed "drawings" to make a complete engine.

References

http://www.formula1.com/default.html