DETROIT, Jan. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagination, according to Albert Einstein,
is more important than knowledge. But, what if you have both? Then you would
be someone extraordinary, someone like a Michelin concept tire designer.
"Designing concept vehicle tires is definitely both," said Steve Lash,
manager of Concept Development and Innovation for Michelin North America.
"Michelin sees the creation of a concept tire as bit of a right brain
challenge paired with a left brain solution. We need to be creative and
innovative, but we also need to be technically sound," said Lash. "A tire is
a very complex system that can involve more than 1,000 individual elements."
"Vehicle designers are artists. They are creative, innovative and
spontaneous," continues Lash. "Designers think of things no one else has and
ask; 'why not try this?' Designers see what no one else sees and present
their work so that others can experience it. "
Engineers, on the other hand, are scientists. Engineers can be very
creative, but from a different direction. "They make the impossible,
possible," said Lash. "Engineering the answers to the designer's 'why not?'
is usually tied to science. New technologies, materials and constructions all
enable new thinking and new design."
Each concept tire presents a new challenge," said Lash. "Our job is to
figure out how to create the best solution to meet that challenge." Here are
some examples of the Design Challenges and Solutions that the Michelin and
BFGoodrich(R) Tires designers faced in for NAIAS:
Honda Concept Vehicle
Challenge: Develop a rugged yet sophisticated tire that complements the
styling of the Honda Concept vehicle
Solution: Low profile tire with a unique market focused directional tread
design. Distinct styling adds to the character of the Honda Concept vehicle
HUMMER H3T Concept vehicle
Challenge: Create a tire with refreshingly unique styling that enhances
the interior and exterior features of the H3T concept vehicle
Solution: A 19 inch rim diameter BFGoodrich(R) tire with a unique
directional tread design that features organic shapes, textured pads, and a
unique use of color.
Ford Concept Vehicle
Challenge: Carefully develop a concept tire to complement the styling and
contours of the Ford Concept vehicle
Solution: An aggressive performance tire with a shape and tread design
that enhance the personality of the Ford concept vehicle
Volkswagen Concept Vehicle
Challenge: Develop a uniquely shaped tire that adds to the persona of the
Volkswagen Concept Vehicle
Solution: Low profile tire with a tread design that complements the
styling of the Volkswagen crossover Concept vehicle.
Nissan Concept Vehicle
Challenge: Morph the architecture of a car tire into a motorcycle tire
shape and then fit it onto a unique wheel profile developed by Nissan
Solution: Low profile wrap-around Michelin(R) tire with a unique tread
and sidewall design.
The design exchange works both ways according to Lash. Designers come up
with ideas and give them to engineers as problems to solve. Engineers in turn
make designers aware of new technologies, materials and processes that in many
cases enable design.
The process has accelerated in recent years as communication technology
tools have evolved. "Changes that years ago would take weeks, now take hours,
maybe even minutes on a computer," said Lash. "Unfortunately we can't build
new tire molds and quality tires that fast ... yet."
Michelin prizes all elements of the creative process. "Michelin is a very
creative company, very technical but very creative. We pride ourselves on
having the best technology," said Lash. "That technology came from creative
minds."
The creativity at Michelin is a not a recent development. Creativity and
innovation are a big part of Michelin's heritage. When the company was
created over 115 years ago it was created by Edouard and Andre Michelin. They
weren't engineers. One was an artist and the other an architect. "Our real
job is to keep the creative spirit and drive for innovation that began with
Edouard and Andre as we design tires for the future," said Lash.
Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including
airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty
trucks and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps
and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in
Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (http://www.michelin.com ) employs 24,290
and operates 21 plants in 17 locations.
SOURCE Michelin
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Related links:
http://www.michelin.com
CONTACT:
Lynn Mann of Michelin North America,
+1-864-458-4698, lynn.mann@us.michelin.com ; or John Love,
+1-313-449-0106, john@emcpr.com , for Michelin
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