Go Kart
Manufacturing a custom go kart to learn relevent manufacturing tools and techniques.
Skills
Welding
Metalworking
Onshape
Timeline
Jul-Aug 2023
6 weeks
Team Members
Kaushal
Overview
I decided to combine my passion for motorsport and engineering
by constructing my very own go kart. I fully manufactured and
welded every part of this go kart. This go kart had to be as
budget friendly as possible while also being fast and fun to
drive. This go kart uses a Predator 212cc engine from Harbor
Freight and a live axle kit from GoPowerSports.
This go kart was manufactured with the tools and equipment at
NOVA Labs.
Initial Design
This was the initial CAD of the go kart. It utilizes 1" steel
tubing for its frame, which is all in one plane for easy
welding. I decided to make the frame like this as it mimics
racing karts while still being easy to manufacture.
A few constraints for this frame were:
- Had to fit a 6' male.
- Had to use a maximum of 50" of 1" steel.
- Had to be weldable by a novice welder.
- Could not be wider than 40".
Manufacturing
These are two images taken during the time I welded the go kart chassis together, the picture to the left is after the first day, and the picture to the right is the final welded chassis. I had to cut each steel tube to size using a horizontal bandsaw before welding.
Assembly
Reflection
This project was the first engineering project I did that was entirely outside of my educational institutions. However, during this project I was able to apply the engineering and leadership skils that I learned in robotics. I also was able to learn how to MIG weld and understand the various components that go into the construction of a go kart.