See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/266357781

A METHODOLOGY FOR THE AESTHETIC DESIGN OF A CITY-CAR BODY

Conference Paper · May 2004

CITATIONS READS

0 173

5 authors, including:

Leonardo Frizziero Dario Croccolo

University of Bologna University of Bologna
131 PUBLICATIONS 1,371 CITATIONS 137 PUBLICATIONS 1,600 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Cristiano Fragassa
University of Bologna
259 PUBLICATIONS 2,342 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Heat transfer in industrial processes View project

Multiscale Composite Materials Characterization – Manufacturing, Testing and Structural Integrity Analysis View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Cristiano Fragassa on 04 January 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 A METHODOLOGY FOR THE AESTHETIC DESIGN OF A CITY-CAR BODY

Leonardo Frizziero, Leonardo Bacchi, Dario Croccolo, Cristiano Fragassa, Paolo Stanzani
D.I.E.M. – Department of Mechanical Engineering – University of Bologna
Viale del Risorgimento, 2
leonardo.frizziero@libero.it

Introduction. The aim of this work is to indicate a methodology of “design for aesthetics”, through the
realization of a particular city-car body. We had to realize a good looking car, without forgetting the importance
of mechanical and economical aspects. The result we have got is very interesting, in fact the city-car obtained is
a sum of beauty, economics and intelligence.
The method followed is very similar to those methods used by the most famous firms of design products, just
like Pininfarina, Giugiaro Design, Bertone, etc.. This method is illustrated in the paragraphs below.

Methodology adopted in the work. Results.

By analyzing the most famous design firms The starting point was the chassis of City
standard specifications, we have understood what Bumper, already designed by other engineers[3].
methodology we had to follow to design the body of It can be viewed below in figure 1.
our city-car [1],[2],[5].
This method is composed by the following steps:
1. realizing free-hand made sketches of the car:
these sketches must represent more kinds of
models, not only one. In this phase, it’s
important using imagination and fantasy and
being able to draw very well.
2. transforming the free-hand made sketches into
2D technical drawings, indicating all the
measures and the overall dimensions. It’s
important verifying the compatibility between Figura 1
the chassis, already projected, and the body we
are going to project. Basing upon this model, we drew three kinds of
3. 2D technical drawings have to be turned into city-car: the drafts were made by free hand before
3D CAD drawings, using a specific program to and then put on technical tables (you can see
manipulate surfaces, just like Rhinoceros 3.0, them in figure 2).
3dStudio MAX, Cathia, or similar ones. In this
phase, we obtain the first tridimensional
models of the cars realized before by hand. For Figura 2
this reason, now we are able to choose what Third step was to transform these drawings into
car is the best one for us. CAD models. The CAD models have been made
4. After choosing the best car and its 3D CAD using AutoCad (for the first one) and 3dS Max
model, we have to optimize the body of this (for the others). It’s possible observing them in
vehicle considering mechanical and figure 3.
economical aspects. The end of this step is
named “Styling Freeze”: it means that the
aesthetics of the car won’t change further.
5. Rendering Pictures: the 3D model chosen has Figura 3
to be placed in a real environment, so we can Once we have realized CAD models, we have had
see how our car is related with real things. to make some considerations about the costs of
6. Prototyping: the last step of the work is to these cars for choosing the best one. In fact,
prototype the car, realizing a physical model. studying the complexity of this prototypes bodies,
 we were able to know how expensive could be each one Our work can be ultimated with the following steps:
of them [4]. a. Rendering Picture;
So we traced the following graphics for sintetizing these b. Prototyping of the model using CAM
results (figure 4): technology.
R id u z io n e d e l P re z z o F in a le ( %)
Rendering Picture. We have put our car in a real
Final prices in the three models (%) environment to see how it is related with real things
(figure 6):
100

50

0
Re t r ò Ne w E dg e Av v e ni r i s t i c o

Figure 4
The graphics are in direct relation with the pictures: the
first column on the left side matches the first car on the
left side (Retrò model); the column in the centre
matches the central car (New Edge model); third column
matches the right side car (Futuristic model).
So we can see that Futuristic model is the cheapest one
and it is the model to choose.
Before starting with rendering and prototyping phases,
Figura 6
it is necessary introducing other costs optimizations in
the car chosen. These optimizations are about aesthetic CAM Prototyping. Using a CAM software, named
and mechanical aspects and can be summarized as you Cimatron, together with a work-station composed by a
can see below: personal computer and a milling machine, we could
1. doors removal: in fact in car costs, the most realize a little polyurethane model (figure 7).
relevant one is that of the doors;
2. car windows with only one curvature: more
curvatures there are, higher the cost is;
3. less curved panels;
4. no nose in the front side and symmetrical
bumpers;
5. no differential gear: we must move posterior
Figura 7
wheels closer;
Conclusions.
6. no rack in steering system: our city car has not
A methodology for car body design and its
to mimic a real car and so this cost is unusable.
application have been developed. This methodology is
We can observe these modifications in figure 5:
based upon precise and well-defined steps that we
have seen in the previous paragraph. These phases
have shown us as we can obtain a goodlooking, cheap,
useful and “intelligent” vehicle.

References.
[1] M. Turinetto, “Automobile: le Forme del Design”, Progetto
Leonardo, Bologna, 1991. [2] M. Tovey and J. Owen, “Design
Studies”, Elsevier Science Ltd, Great Britain, 2000. [3] F. Cordella
e G. Galeotti, “City Bumper: da un’idea avveniristica allo studio di
fattibilità”, Tesi di Laurea, Bologna 2002. [4] R.N. Anthony, D. F.
Hawkins, D. M. Macrì, K.A. Merchant, “Sistemi di Controllo,
analisi economiche per le decisioni aziendali”, Mc Graw-Hill,
Milano 2001. [5] J. Pawlowski, “Vehicle Body Engineering”,
Tidbury, London, 1969.

Acknowledgements.
Figura 5 Prof. Alessandro Freddi for supporting in mechanical design
activities. Dott. Ing. Leonardo Orazi and Mrs. Alice Cotti for CAD-
CAM processes.

View publication stats