So, we have two vehicles who seem to be working rather well.
We had a problem in Primus, when the motor's coil got damaged and electrical Jogis Ameer Hamza and Sohaib led the recovery, which involved dissecting the motor and all. But it worked out well in the end I suppose.
The vehicles were then packed in a wooden crate - yes, both vehicles in one crate, the first sight of which I caught in Sepang and thought 'WTH' - and placed for Captain Malik Barbossa to ship out. Actually, a lot of the above was done by the Captain and some of his cronies - who did what, I still remain oblivious to (since I didn't even go to these ceremonies).
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Recap
Right then, a quick recap.
Somewhere in June - it has to be June because everything only ever gets done right at the end - we got both Primus (the electric prototpye) and Kaar (the gasoline Urban Concept) running. By the way, the use of the word 'we' here is in the loosest possible sense.
Anyhow, in terms of reliablity, Kaar was working really well. Exuberant team members gave it a good amount of running all around the college. They bumped into a flower pot once too, that damaged the Ka...flower pot. In terms of efficiency, thing's weren't this flowery. The inefficient drive train - I say only on the basis of a redundant 3 stage drive reduction - and the automatic gearbox, which rendered the use of the start-stop strategy impossible, was taking its toll. Still, our hopes were high.
Primus was moving. There was no reason I shouldn't have been - I wasn't involved in it. The steering system, which we had borrowed from Zaafir, was a totally crap, so that was the only apparent downside. We had apparently had the fiberglass body made slightly smaller than what should have been too. (Notice that everything I had a hand in went wrong).
Lights on out in 10 mins, so more on more stuff, later.
Somewhere in June - it has to be June because everything only ever gets done right at the end - we got both Primus (the electric prototpye) and Kaar (the gasoline Urban Concept) running. By the way, the use of the word 'we' here is in the loosest possible sense.
Anyhow, in terms of reliablity, Kaar was working really well. Exuberant team members gave it a good amount of running all around the college. They bumped into a flower pot once too, that damaged the Ka...flower pot. In terms of efficiency, thing's weren't this flowery. The inefficient drive train - I say only on the basis of a redundant 3 stage drive reduction - and the automatic gearbox, which rendered the use of the start-stop strategy impossible, was taking its toll. Still, our hopes were high.
Primus was moving. There was no reason I shouldn't have been - I wasn't involved in it. The steering system, which we had borrowed from Zaafir, was a totally crap, so that was the only apparent downside. We had apparently had the fiberglass body made slightly smaller than what should have been too. (Notice that everything I had a hand in went wrong).
Lights on out in 10 mins, so more on more stuff, later.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Trying to be back
Every once in a while, we all go through a period in life when struck by Pneumothorax-unga-tunga-titis and Bilateral-Apical-Pleural-Capping, we are no more able to vent the frustrations of life on a fuzzy yellow tennis ball, and we are forced to revisit the blogs that we once wrote and nobody visited.
Ok, maybe that doesn't happen to all of us.
Nevertheless, I was going through all the posts...yes, all of them (how do you suppose we ever got 3047 visitors?)...and felt as if there's something still left. Ok, actually, I have a lousy job where I am buying mosquito-repellants and Moringa plants, so I thought I might as well make some posts that were due, so that when I am famous and rich, I won't have to give so many interviews.
So, will try to muster the words for one last charge until, of course, I get kicked out of my job or this fresh bout of Cacoethes Scribendi dies its own death.
Ok, maybe that doesn't happen to all of us.
Nevertheless, I was going through all the posts...yes, all of them (how do you suppose we ever got 3047 visitors?)...and felt as if there's something still left. Ok, actually, I have a lousy job where I am buying mosquito-repellants and Moringa plants, so I thought I might as well make some posts that were due, so that when I am famous and rich, I won't have to give so many interviews.
So, will try to muster the words for one last charge until, of course, I get kicked out of my job or this fresh bout of Cacoethes Scribendi dies its own death.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
More Light at the end of tunnel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gK_wMSFPNw
Not sure about the relevant stuff, but I think our guys made pretty good videos.
PS: Pretty sad they killed off EMENENTS and stuff...
Not sure about the relevant stuff, but I think our guys made pretty good videos.
PS: Pretty sad they killed off EMENENTS and stuff...
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Light at the end of the tunnel
Last week (since the draft for this post started earlier, today is 20th August), I set out to write a post-event report for EMENENTS at the Shell Eco-Marathon 2011. And that reminded me. The Shell Eco-Marathon 2011 Asia has been.
Ok, that may have not made much sense, but you know what I meant. I mean, the last post here was over two months ago, when the world was young, and well...SEM hadn't taken place. Kaar was very much on the move, and Primus opened its eyes for the first time. We didn't know whether the vehicles would even get to the competition, let alone compete...and other things like that. So naturally, we missed a whole lot of posts, events, people and fights.
We missed, for example, a post on a guy called Sabri, where I wanted to say that growing beards don't necessarily make people wiser, and that Sabri sahab was a hag. We missed a post when EMENENTS won the EME-derby when reliability issues for another team from EME left us as the sole representatives of our institution. That team took off a great start, but claims without substance last just as long. We missed the anxiety over sending the vehicles, over who would go and who wouldn't. We missed the great treason of the team manager sahib of Primus. We even missed the annual 'meet the team' post too.
And although I do feel the urge to write on some of the topics, I am worried that it might arouse anger and nostalgia. So, let's limit ourselves to the end. Kaar managed to post an official mileage figure at the competition, a meagre 35 km to the litre...oh no no, it was a whopping 98 mpg (UK). Primus had to remain content with staying in the pits, and hope for better returns next time.
In fairness, the result for Kaar isn't remarkable. We stood last in our category. In more fairness, however, this is a start. A harbinger for further improvement, and better results in the future. As Sir Raja will later say, "Nothing succeeds like success." So, while our returns were unremarkable, those of the peope who succeed us at EMENENTS may be much better. Only if we have been inspiration enough. And that is no little achievement. Moreover, it must be mentioned that we were last in the teams that qualified. We effectively had a better than mid-table finish when all the teams in the competition spectrum are considered. And we didn't even have to take a piss over India during our flight.
Primus, in my opinion, was a more competitive chance. The simple driveline, and the featherweight...weight promised greater returns, but we couldn't tamper with the brakes enough, and were not allowed on track on safety grounds.
Worthy of mention are the efforts of all team members (who did consider themselves as such at least), especially those who accompanied the cars to Malaysia.
Anyhow, the results for our categories can be found here:
http://www.sonoma.fr/projects/SECOM_AS11/src/iframe.php?f_compGroup=4vwsua70j5&f_engineType=_lgbaful_q&f_fuelType=vza7xfdyek&f_DispUnits=2
http://www.sonoma.fr/projects/SECOM_AS11/src/iframe.php?f_compGroup=7vtbzw2hj2&f_engineType=c77x0qpppp&f_fuelType=34p_4z7ddd&f_DispUnits=3
From what I have been able to understand, back home, our results have been considered a success. We have shut-up those who kept on waving flags of last year's debacle, and have managed to incite new students to join the cause. This is special, more so because we had less time to work on the vehicle than our competition at the track as most Pakistani cars were brought late. That reminds me, we have also missed a post on 'a case of exploding mangoes'.
Anyway, this brings me to the end of my official association with the vehicles and the team. For the last two years, I have rarely thought of something else. Throughout my life, I have never given much effort to one cause. I may have failed miserably in what I and my original team set out to achieve, but I feel content due to the fact that I could not have worked harder for it, and that the team I helped form has a bright future. The association with the team was accompanied by lots of highs and lows...ok, that's enough sentimentalism for two years I suppose.
Finally, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. The men and women who shoulder the responsibility for this team would be without the corruption of ideas the pioneer team might have had. There is great hope.
What else? Ok, if I think of something, I'll make a post or two, or an edit thereof. Yeah, if someone from the team wants to continue on this blog, they are most welcome. I am thinking of changing the domain name to something that covers the entire team.
Anyhow, this is how it ends. I wish the future team good luck.
FORZA EMENENTS!
Ok, that may have not made much sense, but you know what I meant. I mean, the last post here was over two months ago, when the world was young, and well...SEM hadn't taken place. Kaar was very much on the move, and Primus opened its eyes for the first time. We didn't know whether the vehicles would even get to the competition, let alone compete...and other things like that. So naturally, we missed a whole lot of posts, events, people and fights.
We missed, for example, a post on a guy called Sabri, where I wanted to say that growing beards don't necessarily make people wiser, and that Sabri sahab was a hag. We missed a post when EMENENTS won the EME-derby when reliability issues for another team from EME left us as the sole representatives of our institution. That team took off a great start, but claims without substance last just as long. We missed the anxiety over sending the vehicles, over who would go and who wouldn't. We missed the great treason of the team manager sahib of Primus. We even missed the annual 'meet the team' post too.
And although I do feel the urge to write on some of the topics, I am worried that it might arouse anger and nostalgia. So, let's limit ourselves to the end. Kaar managed to post an official mileage figure at the competition, a meagre 35 km to the litre...oh no no, it was a whopping 98 mpg (UK). Primus had to remain content with staying in the pits, and hope for better returns next time.
In fairness, the result for Kaar isn't remarkable. We stood last in our category. In more fairness, however, this is a start. A harbinger for further improvement, and better results in the future. As Sir Raja will later say, "Nothing succeeds like success." So, while our returns were unremarkable, those of the peope who succeed us at EMENENTS may be much better. Only if we have been inspiration enough. And that is no little achievement. Moreover, it must be mentioned that we were last in the teams that qualified. We effectively had a better than mid-table finish when all the teams in the competition spectrum are considered. And we didn't even have to take a piss over India during our flight.
Primus, in my opinion, was a more competitive chance. The simple driveline, and the featherweight...weight promised greater returns, but we couldn't tamper with the brakes enough, and were not allowed on track on safety grounds.
Worthy of mention are the efforts of all team members (who did consider themselves as such at least), especially those who accompanied the cars to Malaysia.
Anyhow, the results for our categories can be found here:
http://www.sonoma.fr/projects/SECOM_AS11/src/iframe.php?f_compGroup=4vwsua70j5&f_engineType=_lgbaful_q&f_fuelType=vza7xfdyek&f_DispUnits=2
http://www.sonoma.fr/projects/SECOM_AS11/src/iframe.php?f_compGroup=7vtbzw2hj2&f_engineType=c77x0qpppp&f_fuelType=34p_4z7ddd&f_DispUnits=3
From what I have been able to understand, back home, our results have been considered a success. We have shut-up those who kept on waving flags of last year's debacle, and have managed to incite new students to join the cause. This is special, more so because we had less time to work on the vehicle than our competition at the track as most Pakistani cars were brought late. That reminds me, we have also missed a post on 'a case of exploding mangoes'.
Anyway, this brings me to the end of my official association with the vehicles and the team. For the last two years, I have rarely thought of something else. Throughout my life, I have never given much effort to one cause. I may have failed miserably in what I and my original team set out to achieve, but I feel content due to the fact that I could not have worked harder for it, and that the team I helped form has a bright future. The association with the team was accompanied by lots of highs and lows...ok, that's enough sentimentalism for two years I suppose.
Finally, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. The men and women who shoulder the responsibility for this team would be without the corruption of ideas the pioneer team might have had. There is great hope.
What else? Ok, if I think of something, I'll make a post or two, or an edit thereof. Yeah, if someone from the team wants to continue on this blog, they are most welcome. I am thinking of changing the domain name to something that covers the entire team.
Anyhow, this is how it ends. I wish the future team good luck.
FORZA EMENENTS!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Primus on the move
Primus is on the move.
Word is that after having successfully tested the drive train a couple of weeks ago, the team was able to make Primus run on the road as well. Word is also that the vehicle ran flawlessly and comfortably.
There are still some issues but those are minor ones concerning Shell Eco Marathon rules, and will be addressed comfortably. Things are looking up.
PRIMUS INTER PARES!
Word is that after having successfully tested the drive train a couple of weeks ago, the team was able to make Primus run on the road as well. Word is also that the vehicle ran flawlessly and comfortably.
There are still some issues but those are minor ones concerning Shell Eco Marathon rules, and will be addressed comfortably. Things are looking up.
PRIMUS INTER PARES!
Support Emenents!
It takes some saying, but...LIKE US!
KAAR
http://ecomarathon.shell.com/asia/team/505
PRIMUS
http://ecomarathon.shell.com/asia/team/307
KAAR
http://ecomarathon.shell.com/asia/team/505
PRIMUS
http://ecomarathon.shell.com/asia/team/307
Kali Kaar
Ok, so they have painted Kaar black.
This is how it looks now. Personally, I preferred the green-with-white-stripes for more than one reason, but the important thing is that it's working.
This is how it looks now. Personally, I preferred the green-with-white-stripes for more than one reason, but the important thing is that it's working.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Kaar: Exhaustive testing underway
Kaar is undergoing stringent testing routines in which we are not only testing it for mileage, but also other aspects of the vehicle including factors affecting mileage, safety and reliability of component systems.
Unfortunately, I am unable to post videos due to some problem with blogger, so log on to our facebook group for the videos and pictures.
Unfortunately, I am unable to post videos due to some problem with blogger, so log on to our facebook group for the videos and pictures.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Kaar fit to go!
Kaar, the Urban Concept vehicle by emenents, has cleared a health test carried out by Shell Pakistan. This means that we are all set to go!
The team from Shell Pakistan identified some minor issues in the vehicle which need addressing, and we will address them, but once we hit top gear with the vehicle, any doubts and concerns about Kaar were laid to rest.
Meanwhile the team decided to postpone the health-test for Primus, as the vehicle by another team wasn't ready either. Primus is almost 80% done with the body expected to be deliver tomorrow, and wheel alignment (problem identified in testing) being carried out.
The team from Shell Pakistan identified some minor issues in the vehicle which need addressing, and we will address them, but once we hit top gear with the vehicle, any doubts and concerns about Kaar were laid to rest.
Meanwhile the team decided to postpone the health-test for Primus, as the vehicle by another team wasn't ready either. Primus is almost 80% done with the body expected to be deliver tomorrow, and wheel alignment (problem identified in testing) being carried out.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Certain Uncertainity
With all but the braking system for Primus in place, the prototype by Emenents is nearing completion. The chassis has been dispatched to AWC - I don't know what that stands for, and I doubt I'd be authorized to reveal if I knew - for body fabrication.
Kaar, meanwhile, has a huge problem - but luckily just one. Things are looking up.
Sadly, we are also short of time, as the deadline we are looking at is 6th June. And short of funds and publicity too - despite promises from MVRDE and Geo, details of which I can not divulge till after I graduate - and so, there is definite uncertainity these days.
There are serious question marks on whether we will be able to showcase and run our vehicles at the Sepang International Circuit. Anyhow, we are hopeful as ever.
Onwards, EMENENTS!
Kaar, meanwhile, has a huge problem - but luckily just one. Things are looking up.
Sadly, we are also short of time, as the deadline we are looking at is 6th June. And short of funds and publicity too - despite promises from MVRDE and Geo, details of which I can not divulge till after I graduate - and so, there is definite uncertainity these days.
There are serious question marks on whether we will be able to showcase and run our vehicles at the Sepang International Circuit. Anyhow, we are hopeful as ever.
Onwards, EMENENTS!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Setback for Kaar
Big setback for Kaar as our drivetrain risk of directly coupling the engine with the wheels doesn't pay off. Back to the workshop for Kaar!
:-(
:-(
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Primus Inter Pa..Pa..Pa..res
Work is slow. Progress is on. No, hang on...work is progress and on is slow. Yes, that's right. But...Primus is hopefully a day or two away from hitting the roads. We'll bring the photos and videos soon.
What else? Well, there's a lot going on...and not exactly everything is worth reporting. And things that are need so much censor, I shouldn't write about them in the first place. Anyway, we'll be having regular blurs in the irregular transmission as we get into the final count-down for vehicle shipment.
What else? Well, there's a lot going on...and not exactly everything is worth reporting. And things that are need so much censor, I shouldn't write about them in the first place. Anyway, we'll be having regular blurs in the irregular transmission as we get into the final count-down for vehicle shipment.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
21-05-2011
That was yesterday. And an eventful day.
1. Meeting with Shell Pakistan. I said they are the busiest people on earth. They had another meeting with us yesterday. The idea: to check whether our vehicles conformed to the rules. The stupid git from Shell had to read from a checklist everything we all knew from heart. The Shell Eco Marathon rules. See, I told you they are the busiest people on earth.
To make up for his embarrassment, the guy grilled us on safety and Shell's Goal Zero - whatever that is. He made some funny faces, told us to converse in English, and got the hell out of here.
2. Meeting with Shafiq Sabri, the CEO or whatever of Sabri Logistics, the guys who transport vehicles to Malaysia. He made a long - read again, long - and read again, long - speech on different matters. Perhaps, we'll dedicate a post to him some time soon.
3. We are pleased to acknowledge that Kaar ranked in 2nd at the Bahria University's business plan competition, Bizignition! Bravo men...keep it going.
1. Meeting with Shell Pakistan. I said they are the busiest people on earth. They had another meeting with us yesterday. The idea: to check whether our vehicles conformed to the rules. The stupid git from Shell had to read from a checklist everything we all knew from heart. The Shell Eco Marathon rules. See, I told you they are the busiest people on earth.
To make up for his embarrassment, the guy grilled us on safety and Shell's Goal Zero - whatever that is. He made some funny faces, told us to converse in English, and got the hell out of here.
2. Meeting with Shafiq Sabri, the CEO or whatever of Sabri Logistics, the guys who transport vehicles to Malaysia. He made a long - read again, long - and read again, long - speech on different matters. Perhaps, we'll dedicate a post to him some time soon.
3. We are pleased to acknowledge that Kaar ranked in 2nd at the Bahria University's business plan competition, Bizignition! Bravo men...keep it going.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Bizignition!
NUST DISCOVER decided to snub Kaar without entertaining any requisite documents, on the ground that the team was incomplete. Oh tempora! Oh mores! Oh our stupid formalities!
Even so, our this year's additions to the team presented the business model at Bahria University's business plan contest, Bizignition, and were among the 6 finalists. Finals tomorrow.
Forza Emenents!
Even so, our this year's additions to the team presented the business model at Bahria University's business plan contest, Bizignition, and were among the 6 finalists. Finals tomorrow.
Forza Emenents!
Meeting with Shell Pakistan
There is no entity - organization, suborganization, an institution, a set of individuals, anyone - working harder towards the Shell Eco Marathon, than Shell Pakistan. They are setting up meetings!
So today, the three teams from EME College had a meeting with Shell Pakistan. A delegation of EMENENTS led by Malik Basharat and Sohaib Afzal met with Shell Pakistan to discuss the progress, the problems, and everything else.
Apparently, there is a 'health-check' of the vehicles tomorrow. One wonders what these mentors (born as mentors just a couple of months before the competition) can offer...but, well...let's find out tomorrow.
So today, the three teams from EME College had a meeting with Shell Pakistan. A delegation of EMENENTS led by Malik Basharat and Sohaib Afzal met with Shell Pakistan to discuss the progress, the problems, and everything else.
Apparently, there is a 'health-check' of the vehicles tomorrow. One wonders what these mentors (born as mentors just a couple of months before the competition) can offer...but, well...let's find out tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The turning wheels
We have reinvented the wheel. Ok, we haven't done that either.
News is that Primus and Kaar are nearing completion and that both have wheels and freedom to move. We are working. Buzz off.
Forward Emenents!
News is that Primus and Kaar are nearing completion and that both have wheels and freedom to move. We are working. Buzz off.
Forward Emenents!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
A show of blessed chauvinism
Someone, let's say, very close to Primus and Kaar gave this wonderful idea.
If and when we travel to Malaysia (or anyother place that requires flying over a certain hostile neighbour), someone to kindly remind us to use the toilet when we cross over the international boundary into India. A sign of our love for our neighbour.
We would wish at that instance that the sewage disposal system in aeroplanes was like that in Pakistani trains.
If and when we travel to Malaysia (or anyother place that requires flying over a certain hostile neighbour), someone to kindly remind us to use the toilet when we cross over the international boundary into India. A sign of our love for our neighbour.
We would wish at that instance that the sewage disposal system in aeroplanes was like that in Pakistani trains.
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Commandant
I am in love (the platonic variety). With the Commandant. Definitely NOT that of the College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. But of the Pakistan Naval Engineering College.
Here are 10 things that are/were good about him:
1. He doesn't have an SO he doesn't deserve.
2. He had rank but no apparent arrogance.
3. He didn't create a fuss at not being seated at the head of the conference table.
4. He can sit at a conference table and not suffer from acute Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
5. He didn't have an army of suck-ups to accompany him all the time. Even some of the time.
6. He could sit alone in a sofa and have lunch all by himself.
7. He seemed to have enough sense not to butt-in in matters he had no knowledge.
8. He had enough sense not start building unnecessary roads all over PNEC.
9. He had enough sense not to convert the college's cafeteria into an accomodation for the bearers.
10. He had enough wisdom not to interfere with student affairs to be point of making them abhor their institution.
Here are 10 things that are/were good about him:
1. He doesn't have an SO he doesn't deserve.
2. He had rank but no apparent arrogance.
3. He didn't create a fuss at not being seated at the head of the conference table.
4. He can sit at a conference table and not suffer from acute Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
5. He didn't have an army of suck-ups to accompany him all the time. Even some of the time.
6. He could sit alone in a sofa and have lunch all by himself.
7. He seemed to have enough sense not to butt-in in matters he had no knowledge.
8. He had enough sense not start building unnecessary roads all over PNEC.
9. He had enough sense not to convert the college's cafeteria into an accomodation for the bearers.
10. He had enough wisdom not to interfere with student affairs to be point of making them abhor their institution.
Drive Train adjustment for Kaar
I am told that Kaar is to undergo an adjustment in the drive train. After consultations all round, it was decided to remove the chain-drive system with a spur-gear system.
My God have mercy on Kaar!
My God have mercy on Kaar!
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