Time to read: 3 min

The annual Formula SAE Electric competition focuses on helping engineering students master designing, manufacturing, testing, and assembling an EV racecar

SAN FRANCISCO, October 4, 2024 – Fictiv, a global manufacturing company, demonstrates its support for the next generation of innovators with continued sponsorship of Formula Electric at Berkeley (FEB), the EV motorsport team run by engineering students of the University of California, Berkeley, in the Formula SAE Electric competition. Fictiv donated $10,000 of complex CNC machined parts to the team, as well as hours of design and manufacturing consulting, manufacturability analysis, cost-down guidance, and materials expertise.

Members of the 2024 Formula Electric at Berkeley team, sponsored by Fictiv
Members of the 2024 Formula Electric at Berkeley team, sponsored by Fictiv

“Without the mentorship of the team at Fictiv, our team’s success would simply not be possible,” said Caroline Johnson, Manufacturing Lead, FEB. “Their guidance, support, and real-world experience are critical when it comes to assembly and ensuring our vehicle is race day ready.”

FEB has more than 160 students, across 40 majors and offers hands-on experience in design and engineering, project management, fabrication, and assembly, designed to prepare them for internships and careers in automotive, aerospace, advanced technology, and beyond. Fictiv has been supporting Berkeley’s FEB team in an advisory capacity since its debut in 2021.

In the Formula SAE Electric competition, student teams from universities across the country compete against each other in professionally-organized competitions in their own, self-built and developed cars. The scope of the competition goes beyond determining which car is the fastest, and considers the overall package of performance, engineering, design, cost and business presentation.

“The experience of working with the FEB students was incredibly rewarding,” said Samson Olanrewaju, Technical Applications Engineer at Fictiv. “ This year’s team really gave it their all, and being part of this work was extremely gratifying. I look forward to continuing to uplift engineers like this for years to come.”

Fictiv-sponsored team provides hands-on engineering experience to students
Fictiv-sponsored team provides hands-on engineering experience to students

Ahead of the competition, each team must go through a series of rigorous tests and inspections. This year, the FEB team accomplished a series of firsts, including, overcoming a significant software challenge, and passing both the tilt test and a rain test to ensure electrical safety. Ultimately, the team made it much further than any previous year, showcasing the tremendous effort put forth by the students.

The 2024 Formula SAE Electric event took place in Brooklyn, Michigan in August, and featured university student competitors from around the world, including teams representing not only UC Berkeley, but also The Ohio State University, Texas A&M, and Purdue University.

To learn more about Fictiv and their work with FEB, view the full case study, here.

About Fictiv
Fictiv is a global manufacturing company that simplifies sourcing for custom manufacturing, from prototype to low-volume production. Through its highly-vetted manufacturing network, AI-powered technology platform, and global operations centers across the USA, Mexico, India, and China, Fictiv delivers fast, high-quality custom manufacturing services from quote to delivery. Fictiv’s capabilities span the full mechanical bill of materials, including Injection Molding, Compression Molding, 3D Printing, CNC Machining, Die Casting, and Sheet Metal. To date, Fictiv has delivered more than 30 million commercial and prototype parts for early-stage companies and large enterprises alike, helping them innovate faster, free up precious resources, and drive profitable growth.