HEC funds 3 wheeler composite material prototype
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to fund a research project for the development of light weight three wheeler 4-stroke slim car/rickshaw (prototype) utilizing composite materials.
The project has been undertaken by Raja Amer Azim of EME College NUST and Mr. Khurram Imtiaz of AEDesign (Pvt) Ltd under HEC’s University Industry Technology Support Programme (UITSP). The programme proposes to encourage researchers to collaborate with local industry for high-level and promising industrial research projects of direct relevance to current needs of the industry to be carried out in Pakistan.
Eighty percent of the cost is borne by HEC while 20 per cent is paid by the collaborating industry. In this case HEC will provide Rs. 4.8 million while the industry will match it with Rs.1.2 million. The purpose of these grants is to promote scientific research in applied sciences in the country, to strengthen the indigenous capacity for industrial competition in the world market.
Auto Rickshaw is an important component of the Pakistani public transportation system and one of the chief modes of transport in Pakistan and is popular in many other countries. The current research project will involve the usage of reverse engineering and new development techniques followed by the design and product validation.
The Composite 3-wheerler slim car / auto-rickshaw will be designed and developed utilizing the research capabilities at Electrical & Mechanical Engineering College (EME) NUST and Automotive expertise of AEDesign. The Technology Incubation Center (TIC) at NUST would act as liaison among these organizations and provide the project management expertise to ensure the smooth execution of the research. Weight reduction is an important aspect in the modern automobile. Automotive industry is constantly making efforts to make the vehicle light weight and achieve high energy efficiency as well as higher speed levels. Composite materials are extremely light weight and have higher strength to weight ratio than steel. The steel structure can be integrated as a part of composite structure by using sandwich construction technique.
Light weight composite structure contributes in the weight reduction of conventional three wheeler auto-rickshaws. Due to it light weight construction it uses less amount of fuel which makes it more energy efficient and hence more environment friendly. Moreover the more energy efficient 4-stroke engine will be incorporated instead of the conventional 2-stroke engine. Its closed and wider cabin will add to passenger comfort. The cabin will be free from noise and dust pollution. This vehicle is suitable for Pakistan and as well as China, India, and Southeast Asia market.
The new molding techniques shall be developed for manufacturing the large structural parts with major use of steel only in the chassis/frame. Composite structures reduce tooling and manufacturing-plant space requirements and this innovative approach will cut 75 per cent the number of parts required to build the vehicle. Following the prototype development, extensive testing would be performed on the vehicle prior the mass manufacturing.