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Located at the heart of the Motor City, the University of Detroit Engineering Department has long enjoyed hands on learning opportunities with Detroit’s Big Three. Faculty and Students have provided both research and development projects for automakers for many years. The 2002 Thunderbird was no exception.
During the product development phase, Ford Motor Company outsourced a design competition for creative problem solving to manage the space and mechanical components for Thunderbird’s folding convertible top.
Late in 1999, Ford Motor supplied 6 “bodies in white” (ie. A body shell with no drive train or suspension or interior) to 6 teams of University of Detroit Engineering students. Under faculty direction of Professors Paul Eagle and Arthur Haman, the teams’ assignment was to develop working convertible top mechanisms within the parameters of the Thunderbird body.
Not only did the teams work independently, but also in secret. Each team’s body in white was locked away in separate classroom workshops. Students were to work on their tasks without collaboration with the other teams.
As the due date neared, engineers, executives and product planning staff visited the University for the teams’ presentations.
The projects were brought to the large open work bay in the University’s Engineering Building. The working lab is affectionately know as the “Engineering Pit”.
Each team presented its project and analysis. The projects and bodies in white were returned to Ford Motor at the completion of the study project.
It is unknown, which elements of which projects may or may not have been incorporated into the final manufacturing design for the folding convertible top mechanism.
The photos shared by Professor Haman show the “buck” bodies in white in the engineering Building Pit. You will notice the configuration of the body in white in the background, as the student groups are giving presentations.
A large photograph of the presentation graces the wall of a conference room in the Engineering building. I discovered it while participating in an Alumni Day Chili cook off, and my eyes immediately caught the recognizable outline of the white retro Thunderbird!
I extend the club’s appreciation to Professor Haman and the Engineering secretary, Melanie Dara, who generously gave their time to share with our club.
Located at the heart of the Motor City, the University of Detroit Engineering Department has long enjoyed hands on learning opportunities with Detroit’s Big Three. Faculty and Students have provided both research and development projects for automakers for many years. The 2002 Thunderbird was no exception.
During the product development phase, Ford Motor Company outsourced a design competition for creative problem solving to manage the space and mechanical components for Thunderbird’s folding convertible top.
Late in 1999, Ford Motor supplied 6 “bodies in white” (ie. A body shell with no drive train or suspension or interior) to 6 teams of University of Detroit Engineering students. Under faculty direction of Professors Paul Eagle and Arthur Haman, the teams’ assignment was to develop working convertible top mechanisms within the parameters of the Thunderbird body.
Not only did the teams work independently, but also in secret. Each team’s body in white was locked away in separate classroom workshops. Students were to work on their tasks without collaboration with the other teams.
As the due date neared, engineers, executives and product planning staff visited the University for the teams’ presentations.
The projects were brought to the large open work bay in the University’s Engineering Building. The working lab is affectionately know as the “Engineering Pit”.
Each team presented its project and analysis. The projects and bodies in white were returned to Ford Motor at the completion of the study project.
It is unknown, which elements of which projects may or may not have been incorporated into the final manufacturing design for the folding convertible top mechanism.
The photos shared by Professor Haman show the “buck” bodies in white in the engineering Building Pit. You will notice the configuration of the body in white in the background, as the student groups are giving presentations.
A large photograph of the presentation graces the wall of a conference room in the Engineering building. I discovered it while participating in an Alumni Day Chili cook off, and my eyes immediately caught the recognizable outline of the white retro Thunderbird!
I extend the club’s appreciation to Professor Haman and the Engineering secretary, Melanie Dara, who generously gave their time to share with our club.
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