Unconventional steel wheel designs

The drawings done by collegiate students for a steel wheel design competition had industry professionals thinking about future production possibilities.

“Some of the technical innovations needed to produce the designs really aren't there yet for wheels. But that's not a bad thing,” said Todd Fletcher, the Chairperson of Lawrence Technological University's (LTU's) 2012 Steel Wheel Design Competition, sponsored by the Wheels Task Force of the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) and Michelin.

The automotive industry professionals who evaluated student submissions in the third annual event judged the concepts on various criteria, including material celebration, changing customer perception by communicating environmental benefits and performance, and creativity through a unique and innovative design that maintains functionality.