Updated 21 December 2009

The events below may have all passed, but give an overview of the broad range of subjects we cover.
Members and non-members are welcome to events, with the majority requiring no pre-booking so you can just turn up on the night bringing your friends if they are interested in the topic.

For information on all events please see the Events page or contact the Regional Admin Officer.

December 2009
AD Members learn more about Bloodhound SSC, Huddersfield
Members and guests attended a presentation by Prof Dave Crolla, Vehicle Dynamics Consultant, on the Bloodhound SSC project at the University of Huddersfield. Dave, the former Professor of Automotive Engineering at the University of Leeds, originally became involved in the current World Land Speed Record Vehicle, Richard Noble's Thrust SSC supporting the development of the rear wheel steering system, and has since been recruited to support the new 1000mph Land Speed Record attempt, working on all aspects of the vehicle's dynamics, stability and control.
Dave presented an insight into the project's mind-boggling exploration of the boundaries of the laws of physics and engineering as we know them today. With forces of 50,000g at the wheel rim and the measured mile being covered in 3.5 seconds, the complexity of the engineering and potential project achievements becomes apparent.
Although there is a huge mountain to climb, and fantastic progress has been made, the team is keen to promote this latest project as an 'Engineering Adventure' where the primary aim is not to develop the fastest land vehicle the world has ever seen, but to 'inspire, prepare and motivate the next generation, who will be building and living in the Low-Carbon World', the by-product of which will be the fastest vehicle in the world.
With hundreds of schools and universities already involved in the project, there is certainly a momentum of interest that has the potential to positively affect how the next generation view engineering as a profession.
For full details of the Adventure visit the Bloodhound SSC website.

October 2009
Formula Student in Yorkshire, Huddersfield
The two local Formula Student teams presented to members on their performance to date and plans for the coming years. The teams have very different plans with Leeds planning to compete with their 2009 car in California in 2010 and also begin the design of a new car for 2011, whilst Huddersfield are 'starting with a clean sheet' to avoid repeating errors from the 2009 car and using the slogan 'Keep It Simple Stupid' to remind them not to over-complicate. Members were impressed by the skills these young engineers are developing by being involved in the competition including planning and financial skills as well as engineering. In addition both of the 2009 cars were in the building got members to view.



September 2009
Turbochargers. The answer to power, economy, emissions and more!, Huddersfield
Members of the Yorkshire Centre and the Yorkshire Region Northern Area were given an entertaining talk by Pierre French and Nick Sharp of Cummins Turbo Technologies Ltd. They covered the history of turbocharger development before explaining Variable Geometry Turbochargers.

May 2009
Summer Outing to Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield
Members were treated to a guided tour of the newly refurbished museum by the Director and also a talk on the history of car manufacture in Sheffield.

April 2009
AD members share UK debut of Aston Martin DBS Volante 
Yorkshire Automobile Division members and guests had an exclusive preview of the Aston Martin DBS Volante in April when Ian Minards, Aston Martin Director of Product Development and newly elected Fellow, brought a car only previously seen at the Geneva Motor show, and presented recent developments at the company to a meeting of the AD Centre.  Over 80 members and guests, including the Yorkshire region of the Aston Martin Owners Club, gathered at JCT600 Brooklands Aston Martin dealership in Leeds where the showroom had been converted into a lecture theatre for the evening.

JCT600 Brooklands is one of 119 Aston Martin dealers worldwide and has the largest showroom area of all of them, making it an ideal venue for a technical lecture surrounded by every current Aston Martin model in the range for the members to examine.  JCT600 Brooklands generously sponsored the event and provided refreshments for everyone before and after the lecture.

Ian Minards presented the heritage of Aston Martin and described the development of the current range of vehicles including detailed examples of the use of innovative design, validated CAE and new materials engineering that make the Aston Martin range, with its VH construction, so special.  He gave members tantalising previews of a forthcoming model and in the wide-ranging Q&A, talked candidly about Aston Martin’s achievements in CO2 reduction, global sourcing and its racing programme; this includes a challenge to win Le Mans outright in 2009 and emulate the last works victory exactly 50 years ago.

Commenting on the evening, Yorkshire AD Centre Chairman, Stuart Allan, said “this was a most informative evening, full of technical information as well as some excellent video and simulation clips”.  Ian Minards complemented the centre on a well-organised meeting and said “it was a really enjoyable evening with a great mix of people”.

The Centre is already planning a return visit for Mr Minards to talk to members again next year about the new Rapide model which is currently at the prototype stage.




April 2009 (postponed from February)
Engineering the Future in a Changing Climate, University of Huddersfield
The National Chairman of the Institution's Automobile Division discussed macro scale energy alternatives and looked at automotive solutions which will be employed in future car and commercial vehicle designs.

March 2009
Viscount Weir Award
The hosts for the 2009 competition were Weir Valves & Controls and the judging panel awarded a prize of £200 to Aran Vijayakumar. Arun is a graduate engineer at Cummins Turbo Technologies in Huddersfield and his presentation was 'Variable Inertia Rotor System for a Turbocharger'. Arun also received a trophy from the Centre Chairman Stuart Allan. The trophy was given to the Centre for presentation to the competition winner by the Centre Chairman in 1989.

The competition, for Young Members of the Institution, will next be held in June 2011.

March 2009
Biofuels for Automotive Applications, University of Huddersfield
A talk on the increasing use of biofuels and the technical challenges they pose.

November 2008
Design Consideration for Motorcycle Chassis Performance, University of Huddersfield
In addition to a very informative talk from Triumph Motorcycles on the specialised design requirements of motorcycles a local dealership bought along some of the machines for members to view.

October 2008
Visit to Ginetta Cars, Leeds
A group of 35 members were welcomed into the Ginetta Cars factory in Garforth, Leeds and as well as seeing the design areas were allowed full access to look around the new for 2008 G50 race car and others. A return visit for those who missed out has been arranged for November 2009 so make sure you register early to avoid disappointment.

October 2008
Developments in Full Toroidal Traction Drive Technology, University of Huddersfield
A technical lecture from a UK based technology company who focus solely on the design and development of full-toroidal traction drive transmission systems for a wide variety of market segments.

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