Drivetrain Subsystem - Longhorn Racing 2026

Key member of the drivetrain subteam responsible for the modeling, optimization, and manufacturing of the rear differential mounting system, tripod housings, axles, and electronic shifting integration. Objective: deliver high strength, high reliability components under strict weight, cost, and packaging constraints within a compressed development timeline. My Role • Structural modeling and stress analysis • Material selection and optimization • Drivetrain integration with electronics team • Validation of torque and cyclic loading conditions

Home

Questions?

Calixte Viollet

Project Timeline

Aug 2025 - Current

HighlightS

Differential Mounts

Achieved margin of safety(MS) of 0.31
400g total (-380g from last year)

Axle System

2.5kg (-1.4kg from last year)

Electronic Shifting

0.4kg (-1.8kg from last year)

SKILLS

Finite Element Analysis

Mechanical System Design

Structural and Fatigue Analysis

Lightweight Design Optimization

Advanced Material Selection

Precision Machining and CNC Manufacturing

Design for Manufacturability

Tolerance and Fit Analysis

Mechanical Testing and Validation

Cross Functional Engineering Collaboration

Electromechanical Systems Integration

Technical Problem Solving Under Constraints

External Links

Critical Design Review

Differential Mounts

Material: 7075-T6 aluminum selected for high strength-to-weight ratio and machinability

Results: Achieved margin of safety(MS) of 0.31; 400g total (-380g from last year)

Engineering Approach

• Modeled bearing press fits to evaluate internal stress distribution

• Simulated maximum torque loading from acceleration and braking

• Performed cyclic loading analysis to evaluate fatigue life

• Optimized geometry for stiffness while minimizing mass

Manufacturing

• 3-axis CNC machining

• Multi-operation CAM programming

• Tight tolerance control for bearing interfaces

| lowinertia |

Build Your Engineering Portfolio