Case Study: Nihon Automobile College improves SFJ performance with Hexagon SC/Tetra CFD

CFD tools help young NATS team place respectably in the Student Formula Japan (SFJ) by improving vehicle performance

Nihon Automobile College (NATS) sought to improve its competitive standing in the Student Formula Japan (SFJ) tournament, where its small team of students was challenged to design, build, and present a high-performance racing car. To enhance their vehicle's aerodynamic performance and the quality of their engineering presentations, they turned to vendor Hexagon and implemented its SC/Tetra CFD software for advanced fluid dynamics analysis.

By using Hexagon's SC/Tetra, the student team was able to optimize critical components like the surge tank and underbody diffuser, leading to a more aerodynamically sound vehicle with uniform engine airflow and increased downforce. This technical improvement was a major factor in the team achieving their best-ever result: a 7th place finish at SFJ 2013, which was the highest placement of any automobile technical college that year.

Nihon Automobile College

Sho Murakami

Researcher