New Design Process Yields Lincoln Concept Wheels
1/3/06, 09:11 PM
#1
The Mustang Source FOUNDER
Thread Starter
Join Date: January 29, 2004
Location: Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Posts: 9,887
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes
on
10 Posts
Designer Rob Gelardi is a friend of The Mustang Source. I'll email him a link to this topic; perhaps he can answer your questions.
The substantial 20-inch wheel, with its five/five spoke configuration and multiple finishes, will turn heads whether the wheel is turning or not. Designers know because they decided on the ultimate design after attaching miniature models of their six favorites on a wall and spinning them to see which looked best in motion.
The wheels will be featured on a Lincoln teaser vehicle at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.
"When the wheels are spinning, the light literally dances from spoke to spoke," says Gordon Platto, chief designer. "There's an emotional connection with the moving wheel that the customer ultimately experiences. Now, we're adding that experience to our process."
The Process
This simple, hands-on exercise cut almost two weeks out of the design process, explains Robert Gelardi, a senior designer who created the wheel.
"To enhance and expedite our process, we rapid-prototyped six-inch scale models that were made overnight so we could look at the wheel with different combinations of finishes," says Gelardi. "By expediting the three-dimensional evaluation, we achieved the right wheel design for this sedan very early in the development process." [Rapid prototyping is the process of making a physical model of a part directly from 3-D CAD data.]
Once the final selection was made, designers used advanced design software called Bunkspeed to fine tune the wheel digitally. Bunkspeed allows designers to change vehicle features instantly, with the click of a mouse.
Traditionally, wheels have been designed on screen and evaluated from full-size, 2-D renderings glued to tires. After favorite rendering was selected, a full-size model wheel was then produced. Any changes to the wheel at this point required additional full-size models – a costly and time-consuming process. Because renderings cannot show precise proportions nor can they recreate the effect of light on the wheel, it's not uncommon to have to produce additional full-size models.
"Previously, we couldn't take into account the ‘spin' look during the selection process," says Xitij Mistry, exterior designer. "With the six-inch models, we now have a method that is more accurate and efficient."
The Result
The commanding 20-inch wheels represent the hallmark of American design, says Platto. "The trend in wheels is to make a statement. And these wheels do exactly that. They have a sense of importance, a presence, that you find on American vehicles," he says.
To maximize the perception of the wheels' size, Gelardi and Mistry used exposed lug nuts on the secondary spokes, allowing the major spokes to travel uninterrupted from edge to center.
"The sculpted shape of the spoke dives toward the center of the wheel, adding visual length," says Gelardi. "This makes the wheel appear deeper and the tire wider." says Gelardi.
The five/five spoke design marries luxury and performance in a bi-level arrangement. Five major spokes are positioned at the outer edge of the wheel and five secondary spokes, having a different shape, are placed farther back.
This portrays a sense of depth while accommodating multiple colors and finishes. With five/five spokes, customers have more opportunities to personalize their wheels, choosing polished or vapor-blasted alloy as well as a variety of colors that would match the vehicle's body.
Depending on the paint and polish treatment of the spokes, the wheels will appear to have five spokes, giving the car a sporty, performance attitude. Or they will appear to have 10 spokes, underlining the sedan's elegance and grace.
"Using different paints combined with different finishing processes gives you a very cost-effective way to achieve multiple appearances from one wheel," Gelardi says.
Says Platto: "At Lincoln, we're just as concerned with how a wheel looks when the vehicle is parked as when it is in motion. We want to make sure our wheel is beautiful in both cases, so we came up with an amazingly simple way to do that in the studio."
Gordon Platto, chief designer, with Lincoln concept wheel.
Lincoln designers Xitij Mistry(left) and Robert Gelardi discuss the shape of the wheel's spoke and embossed Lincoln logo.
Lincoln designer Aram Kasparian spins the 6" wheel model to evaluate the effect of light on the wheel's spoke.
Lincoln designers (left to right) Matt Pearson, Robert Gelardi and Xitij Mistry reviewing various wheel designs using Bunkspeed, a new software program allowing instant changes in features.
Lincoln designers (left to right) Xitij Mistry, Robert Gelardi, Gordon Platto and Aram Kasparian review the Lincoln concept wheel design.
Lincoln designers (left to right) Xitij Mistry, Robert Gelardi, Gordon Platto and Aram Kasparian review the Lincoln concept wheel design.
Lincoln concept wheel design being milled out of solid aluminum.
Lincoln concept wheel design being milled out of solid aluminum.
Lincoln concept wheel design being milled out of solid aluminum.
Lincoln sedan concept 5/5 spoke wheel.
NEW DESIGN PROCESS RESULTS IN LUXURY AND PERFORMANCE WHEEL ON LINCOLN CONCEPT SEDAN
- Lincoln designers use new design process to cut time out of wheel development.
- The result is exquisite, five/five spoke design, speaking to luxury and performance.
The substantial 20-inch wheel, with its five/five spoke configuration and multiple finishes, will turn heads whether the wheel is turning or not. Designers know because they decided on the ultimate design after attaching miniature models of their six favorites on a wall and spinning them to see which looked best in motion.
The wheels will be featured on a Lincoln teaser vehicle at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.
"When the wheels are spinning, the light literally dances from spoke to spoke," says Gordon Platto, chief designer. "There's an emotional connection with the moving wheel that the customer ultimately experiences. Now, we're adding that experience to our process."
The Process
This simple, hands-on exercise cut almost two weeks out of the design process, explains Robert Gelardi, a senior designer who created the wheel.
"To enhance and expedite our process, we rapid-prototyped six-inch scale models that were made overnight so we could look at the wheel with different combinations of finishes," says Gelardi. "By expediting the three-dimensional evaluation, we achieved the right wheel design for this sedan very early in the development process." [Rapid prototyping is the process of making a physical model of a part directly from 3-D CAD data.]
Once the final selection was made, designers used advanced design software called Bunkspeed to fine tune the wheel digitally. Bunkspeed allows designers to change vehicle features instantly, with the click of a mouse.
Traditionally, wheels have been designed on screen and evaluated from full-size, 2-D renderings glued to tires. After favorite rendering was selected, a full-size model wheel was then produced. Any changes to the wheel at this point required additional full-size models – a costly and time-consuming process. Because renderings cannot show precise proportions nor can they recreate the effect of light on the wheel, it's not uncommon to have to produce additional full-size models.
"Previously, we couldn't take into account the ‘spin' look during the selection process," says Xitij Mistry, exterior designer. "With the six-inch models, we now have a method that is more accurate and efficient."
The Result
The commanding 20-inch wheels represent the hallmark of American design, says Platto. "The trend in wheels is to make a statement. And these wheels do exactly that. They have a sense of importance, a presence, that you find on American vehicles," he says.
To maximize the perception of the wheels' size, Gelardi and Mistry used exposed lug nuts on the secondary spokes, allowing the major spokes to travel uninterrupted from edge to center.
"The sculpted shape of the spoke dives toward the center of the wheel, adding visual length," says Gelardi. "This makes the wheel appear deeper and the tire wider." says Gelardi.
The five/five spoke design marries luxury and performance in a bi-level arrangement. Five major spokes are positioned at the outer edge of the wheel and five secondary spokes, having a different shape, are placed farther back.
This portrays a sense of depth while accommodating multiple colors and finishes. With five/five spokes, customers have more opportunities to personalize their wheels, choosing polished or vapor-blasted alloy as well as a variety of colors that would match the vehicle's body.
Depending on the paint and polish treatment of the spokes, the wheels will appear to have five spokes, giving the car a sporty, performance attitude. Or they will appear to have 10 spokes, underlining the sedan's elegance and grace.
"Using different paints combined with different finishing processes gives you a very cost-effective way to achieve multiple appearances from one wheel," Gelardi says.
Says Platto: "At Lincoln, we're just as concerned with how a wheel looks when the vehicle is parked as when it is in motion. We want to make sure our wheel is beautiful in both cases, so we came up with an amazingly simple way to do that in the studio."
Gordon Platto, chief designer, with Lincoln concept wheel.
Lincoln designers Xitij Mistry(left) and Robert Gelardi discuss the shape of the wheel's spoke and embossed Lincoln logo.
Lincoln designer Aram Kasparian spins the 6" wheel model to evaluate the effect of light on the wheel's spoke.
Lincoln designers (left to right) Matt Pearson, Robert Gelardi and Xitij Mistry reviewing various wheel designs using Bunkspeed, a new software program allowing instant changes in features.
Lincoln designers (left to right) Xitij Mistry, Robert Gelardi, Gordon Platto and Aram Kasparian review the Lincoln concept wheel design.
Lincoln designers (left to right) Xitij Mistry, Robert Gelardi, Gordon Platto and Aram Kasparian review the Lincoln concept wheel design.
Lincoln concept wheel design being milled out of solid aluminum.
Lincoln concept wheel design being milled out of solid aluminum.
Lincoln concept wheel design being milled out of solid aluminum.
Lincoln sedan concept 5/5 spoke wheel.
1/4/06, 09:37 PM
#8
Member
Join Date: January 4, 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the kudos guys. I am glad you like the wheel design. :D
What do I do all day? Well, it depends on what point we're at in the -----------------------------103182532229602
Content-Disposition: form-data; name="preview"
Preview Post
What do I do all day? Well, it depends on what point we're at in the -----------------------------103182532229602
Content-Disposition: form-data; name="preview"
Preview Post
1/5/06, 04:54 AM
#11
Member
Join Date: January 4, 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry about the funky posts. Maybe it'll work this time. I can use a computer to design a car, but these forums are another matter 
j/k
I was trying to respond to the question about my job and what I do all day.
Basically, my job is to create the appearance, whether that be exterior shape, exterior details ( like wheels, lights, etc. ) or interior design ( instrument panel, doors, console, ) or interior details ( cluster, pedals, shifter ). It depends on what you're assigned to on that particular car. There are usually several designers assigned to exterior, and several more to interior. At this point in the process is where we're doing a lot of sketches and renderings to come up with a mouth watering design the customer won't be able to resist.
Once a theme ( design ) is selected by management, the designer who created it usually follows it through further development, to ensure the original design idea is maintained all while meeting any further manufacturing, cost, packaging, ergonomic, or timing issues that arise. At this point in the process, we're working more with our colleauges in engineering, ergonomics, finance, marketing, etc, to make certain the "mouth-watering" design we worked so hard to create is not compromised during the rest of the development.
j/kI was trying to respond to the question about my job and what I do all day.
Basically, my job is to create the appearance, whether that be exterior shape, exterior details ( like wheels, lights, etc. ) or interior design ( instrument panel, doors, console, ) or interior details ( cluster, pedals, shifter ). It depends on what you're assigned to on that particular car. There are usually several designers assigned to exterior, and several more to interior. At this point in the process is where we're doing a lot of sketches and renderings to come up with a mouth watering design the customer won't be able to resist.
Once a theme ( design ) is selected by management, the designer who created it usually follows it through further development, to ensure the original design idea is maintained all while meeting any further manufacturing, cost, packaging, ergonomic, or timing issues that arise. At this point in the process, we're working more with our colleauges in engineering, ergonomics, finance, marketing, etc, to make certain the "mouth-watering" design we worked so hard to create is not compromised during the rest of the development.
1/5/06, 08:52 AM
#13
Bullitt Member
Join Date: December 15, 2005
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Rob we do that too!! We have just been using 3D for about 6 years to aid in our wheel designs. How new is this “Bunkspeed†software? That looks like something I need to look into!!
1/5/06, 09:30 AM
#14
Cobra R Member
Join Date: March 18, 2004
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i dunno what happened, i coulda sworn i posted in this thread at like noon yesterday or something... coulda forgot to click add reply or something.
I love that wheel, its really sweet. It'd be interesting to see it with the back spokes painted black. LIke a cool five spoke wheel you'd find on a mustang or something, but with something faint in the back ground, giving it a fancy high tech look.
I really like the "LINCOLN" on that one spoke. You guys definitely chose the right spoke to write that one with respect to the emblem in the middle. Minor detail I know, but I just like that angle.
I love that wheel, its really sweet. It'd be interesting to see it with the back spokes painted black. LIke a cool five spoke wheel you'd find on a mustang or something, but with something faint in the back ground, giving it a fancy high tech look.
I really like the "LINCOLN" on that one spoke. You guys definitely chose the right spoke to write that one with respect to the emblem in the middle. Minor detail I know, but I just like that angle.
1/6/06, 02:04 PM
#17
Cobra Member
Join Date: December 18, 2004
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by mustang_sallad@January 5, 2006, 11:33 AM
I love that wheel, its really sweet. It'd be interesting to see it with the back spokes painted black. LIke a cool five spoke wheel you'd find on a mustang or something, but with something faint in the back ground, giving it a fancy high tech look.
I love that wheel, its really sweet. It'd be interesting to see it with the back spokes painted black. LIke a cool five spoke wheel you'd find on a mustang or something, but with something faint in the back ground, giving it a fancy high tech look.
[attachmentid=42294]
With black chrome inner spokes I think it would look even better.
If you look at the fifth and sixth pictures above, it looks like the secondary spokes were darker at first.
1/7/06, 05:12 PM
#19
Member
Join Date: January 4, 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good catch. Yes the original design on the six-inch scale models looked at very dark ( graphite ) secondary spokes all the way up to very light ( silver ) secondary spokes.
Since we couldn't show multiple versions at the same time on one concept, our chief designer decided it would be best to show the secondary spokes in a slightly duller azcast finish. This lets you see what can be done with the wheel- go a little darker, and you get a five spoke wheel. Go a little lighter, and you get a 10 spoker. The one on the concept is exactly in between, "just right".
Since we couldn't show multiple versions at the same time on one concept, our chief designer decided it would be best to show the secondary spokes in a slightly duller azcast finish. This lets you see what can be done with the wheel- go a little darker, and you get a five spoke wheel. Go a little lighter, and you get a 10 spoker. The one on the concept is exactly in between, "just right".
Originally posted by HastaLaVista@January 6, 2006, 3:07 PM
Thought that might be interesting too:
[attachmentid=42294]
With black chrome inner spokes I think it would look even better.
If you look at the fifth and sixth pictures above, it looks like the secondary spokes were darker at first.
Thought that might be interesting too:
[attachmentid=42294]
With black chrome inner spokes I think it would look even better.
If you look at the fifth and sixth pictures above, it looks like the secondary spokes were darker at first.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post