Raymond Corp., Binghamton University students team up on electric go-kart project

GREENE — Students from Binghamton University’s engineering school and engineers from the Raymond Corp. recently teamed up on a project to convert a gas-powered go-kart into an electric-powered vehicle.

In collaboration with the university’s Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Raymond Corp., a global provider of material-handling equipment based in Greene, once again sponsored a senior project for the school’s Capstone design course.

The Capstone course engages students in work that goes beyond the traditional classroom setting, providing an opportunity for them to apply technical knowledge to actual engineering problems, Raymond said in a news release. During the 2012-13 academic year, the project focused on applying engineering skills to convert a gas-powered go-kart into one powered electrically.

With the guidance of Raymond engineers — Fernando Goncalves, manager of engineering analysis and simulation, and Dan Driscall, electrical engineer for product health — and Colin Selleck, professor in the mechanical engineering department at Binghamton University, students began the fall 2012 semester learning how the go-kart works as a gas-powered machine. The go-kart’s performance was benchmarked and evaluated by installing sensors and data-acquisition equipment.

The students then conducted feasibility studies and developed a design tool to identify a plan to convert the go-kart into an electric-powered vehicle, according to the release.

In the spring 2013 semester, the students began implementing their plans. They designed and manufactured fixtures for installing the electrical components, while meeting constraints for safety and component packaging. In addition, students also created an electrical schematic of the power system and built the associated wiring harness. The students then tested the completed electric-powered go-kart and found it to outperform the gas-powered go-kart on various levels, according to the release.

“Raymond’s go-kart project helps students bridge the gap between their academic and professional careers by transferring what they learn in the classroom to hands-on experience,” Binghamton University’s Selleck said in the release. “We look to corporate partners like Raymond who offer the expertise in electric motors and energy efficiency to be the cornerstone of our senior design team projects. Their engagement in this program helps expose students to realistic design processes, teamwork, and expectations of practicing engineers.”

The go-kart from the Raymond–Binghamton University Capstone Course was on display at the second annual Century of Upstate New York vehicles show on May 19.

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