LTU Design Students Unveil Steel Wheel Concepts at AISI Competition
04/12/2010 - The Wheels Task Force of the Steel Market Development Institute and Michelin in partnership with Lawrence Technological University (LTU) recently announced the scholarship winners of the Steel Wheel design competition at the program's unveiling on LTU's campus.
The Wheels Task Force of the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) and Michelin in partnership with Lawrence Technological University (LTU) recently announced the scholarship winners of the sponsored Steel Wheel design competition at the program's unveiling on LTU's campus.
Chris Nichols, a junior, was awarded first place with a $1500 scholarship; Cherise Caldwell, a freshman, won a $1000 scholarship for second place; and Vince Kaptur, a sophomore, was awarded a $500 scholarship for placing third in the competition.
Students in the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes developed conceptual wheels that highlighted the advantages of steel. The LTU transportation design students unveiled their steel wheel designs before an audience of automakers, steel company representatives, and wheel designers.
"This opportunity challenged the students to use real-world applications from the automotive and steel industries to design next-generation, innovative steel wheels," said Ron Krupitzer, Vice President of Automotive Applications for SMDI. "With the guidance of members from the Wheels Task Force, LTU, and Michelin, the students created sleek, sporty wheels at lower costs, while working to increase customer interest in steel wheels."
The project was integrated into the LTU curriculum. Its transportation design students were charged with developing two steel wheel concepts based on ongoing LTU OEM projects. The assignments included renderings for a Ford Mustang for consumers in 2025, a 2020 Dodge for Chrysler, and a Chevrolet for General Motors.
The winning steel design concepts included:
- Nichols’ design concept was a two-face reversible steel wheel that offered one wheel with two uses for the customer who is looking for the customization option. Through the utilization of hydroforming and stamping, the designs took advantage of several steel manufacturing processes.
- The free flow form of fabric with the changeable sculpture of water inspired Caldwell's steel wheel designs. Caldwell incorporated steel stamping into her wheel to develop a soft shape with directional spokes. Chrome plating on the wheel gave the illusion of movement even without the wheel in motion. A custom fade paint finish added additional appeal.
- Recognizing the real-world demands for fuel-efficient vehicles, Kaptur designed a vented steel wheel with openings that closed when the vehicle was in motion and opened during braking. When closed, the air passes over the steel wheel without disruption of flow and the moving vents open during the critical cooling time of braking.
The Wheels Task Force of the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) is a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). SMDI grows and maintains the use of steel through strategies that promote cost-effective solutions in the automotive, construction, and container markets, as well as for new-growth opportunities in non-traditional steel markets. The Automotive Applications Council is a part of the Steel Market Development Institute and focuses on advancing the use of steel in the automotive market.
SMDI Steel Wheels Task Force member companies are:
- Accuride Corp.
- AK Steel Corp.
- ArcelorMittal Dofasco
- ArcelorMittal USA
- ArvinMeritor Wheels Division
- Chrysler Group
- Ford Motor Co.
- General Motors Co.
- Hayes Lemmerz International
- Hess Industries, Inc.
- Lacks Wheel Trim Systems
- Maxion-Fumagalli Wheels
- Nucor Corp.
- PPG Industries Inc.
- Severstal North America Inc.
- Topy America, Inc.
- United States Steel Corp.
