Students get involved in lightweighting

Cutting vehicle weight is the quickest way to boost fuel economy, making it a vital strategy in meeting 2025 federal efficiency requirements. Automakers and industry groups want to get students involved in those efforts, making advanced materials a major part of the Steel Wheel Design Competition (www.autosteel.org).

The Steel Market Development Institute’s (SMDI) Wheels Task Force and tire producer Michelin recently teamed up to hold their fifth annual event at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Mich. Students won scholarships for showing off the styling and weight-saving benefits of using advanced steel alloys in vehicle wheels.

“The students did an outstanding job this year designing wheels that highlight steel’s lightweighting and durability benefits, while also creating their styling features to enhance wheel appearance,” says Ron Krupitzer, vice president, automotive market for SMDI. “The competition not only proves to be a great way to show steel benefits to consumers, it also helps wheel makers and automotive manufacturers meet new fuel economy standards with lighter-weight wheels.”

The competition is an option within Lawrence’s curriculum and is based on engineering results from the steel industry. Renderings and steel wheel features are judged by a panel of steel experts, automotive designers, engineers, and wheel manufacturers. Judging criteria are: material celebration; changing customer perception by communicating environmental issues and performance; creativity through a unique and innovative design; and an executed design concept that complements the vehicle’s aesthetics.