This code was written as part of our school research project (SRP) for The Heerbeeck International Collage. Over the past 8 months, we have been working on researching and building three scaled-down engine models to compare how different engine layouts perform in terms of power and efficiency.

We chose this topic because we both have a genuine interest in mechanics and engineering. Engines are something we encounter in everyday life, yet most people, including us at the start of this project, do not really know what makes one engine layout better than another. That curiosity is what made us want to dig deeper into this subject.

During the project we ran into several challenges we did not expect. Because we were building scaled-down models by hand we often had to make design compromises, simplifying certain parts that were to complex or precise to manufacture with the tools and materials that were available to us. Working through those limitations and figuring out how to keep the models functional with those simplifications, made the project more interesting and rewarding than what we firstly expected. We learned a lot, not just about engines and electronics, but also about planning, testing, and working together.

We would like to thank Ms. Koopman for the guidance and feedback throughout this process. And we would also like to thank the school in general for providing materials and the opportunity for this project.

We hope this code gives a clear and interesting insight in how engine layout affects performance and efficiency.

Thomas Hendriks & Sebastiaan van Kempen