This year, University of Ljubljana students are also collaborating with the Department of Wood Science and Technology at the UL BF on the construction of a new Formula Student race car, where they have manufactured wood-composite molds for the car’s new chassis.
“Here we have the race car of the Superior Engineering student group, which consists mainly of students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana. This group builds a new race car every year, and this year they are in the process of building a new one,” explains Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miran Merhar from the Department of Wood Science and Technology at the UL BF.

Although the race car is not made of wood, wood plays an important role in its manufacturing process.

“The Formula car is made of synthetic fibers, but to build it, you first need to make a mold onto which the synthetic fibers are then laid. This year, the students used a mold made of wood composites, which we cut and manufactured here according to their plans,” explains Merhar. According to him, wood composite is particularly suitable because it allows for very precise machining, is not overly expensive, and represents a more environmentally friendly solution.
Participating in the project was also an interesting experience for the students of the Department of Wood Science and Technology. “When the professor mentioned that we would be participating in this project, I was immediately on board,” says wood science student Luka Matevžič, who helped develop the programs for manufacturing the chassis molds.
“If you set your mind to it, studying wood science can be both fun and creative,” he adds. The race car will also be on display to the wider UL BF community in the coming days.