NCSC engineering students crash-test 3D-printed vehicles at Honda Plant in Marysville

Lou Whitmire, Mansfield News Journal
·1 min read

Cutting-edge 3D printed vehicles, designed by engineering students from North Central State College, underwent crash testing at the Honda Marysville facility this month.

Last year students in the program had a chance to bring their PVC vehicles to the facility to be crash-tested. This marks the first time the students designed and produced their vehicles using 3D printers, according to a news release from the college.

More: Area students race vehicles they designed at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

The objective was to design a vehicle that would pass the major injury criteria from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the head, thorax and knee of a passenger if the vehicle were to be involved in a 19-mph crash. Two distinct designs, crafted by separate teams of NC State engineering students, underwent rigorous testing each reaching speeds of 19 mph.

The Blue Vehicle Team, comprised of NCSC engineering students Kennadi Easter, Rebekah Haudenschild, Cheyenne Polen and John Evans, demonstrated exceptional innovation and expertise during crash testing at the Honda Marysville facility.
The Blue Vehicle Team, comprised of NCSC engineering students Kennadi Easter, Rebekah Haudenschild, Cheyenne Polen and John Evans, demonstrated exceptional innovation and expertise during crash testing at the Honda Marysville facility.

The vehicles were equipped with fully instrumented crash-test dummies provided by Honda. The students’ vehicles showcased advanced safety features including custom belt systems and collapsible steering columns.

Both crash test dummies passed injury requirements, marking a significant milestone in automotive engineering.

The Black Car Team, consisting of, left to right, engineering North Central State College students Noah Tuttle, Brady Zehe, Quinton Frankhouse and Carson Barnes, demonstrated exceptional innovation and expertise at Honda Marysville facility.
The Black Car Team, consisting of, left to right, engineering North Central State College students Noah Tuttle, Brady Zehe, Quinton Frankhouse and Carson Barnes, demonstrated exceptional innovation and expertise at Honda Marysville facility.

The Blue Vehicle Team, comprised of Kennadi Easter, Rebekah Haudenschild, Cheyenne Polen and John Evans, and the Black Car Team, consisting of Noah Tuttle, Brady Zehe, Quinton Frankhouse and Carson Barnes, demonstrated exceptional innovation and expertise, setting the stage for further advancements in vehicle safety technology, according to the college.

According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention, more than 2 million car accidents happen each year contributing to more than 40,000 deaths. The research aims to shed light on the safety measures inherent in vehicles, including 3D-printed go-karts, with the ultimate goal of potentially saving lives.

lwhitmir@nncogannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: North Central State students crash-test their own 3D-printed vehicles