Engineering Disaster: Ford Pinto Explosions Walter Crickmer, Philip Peters II, Ben Pitzer, Presented to: Dr. Reddy EE 481 March 19, 2014
Background Created in the late 60’s Competition with Volkswagen “…not to weigh an ounce over 2,000 pounds and not cost a cent over $2,000.” Lee Iacocca, President of Ford Motor Co. Given only 25 months from initial design to production. During initial crash tests over 25 miles per hour, the gas tank always ruptured. At 40 miles per hour, the gas tank would rupture, and the doors could jam. No government standard for rear impact collisions
Ford Pinto Specifications Stated in the Pinto "green book“ Details the metallurgy, weight, strength and quality of every part in the car. Summed up as : – True Sub Compact Size Weight – Low Cost of Ownership Initial price Fuel consumption Reliability Serviceability – Clear Product Superiority Appearance Comfort Features Ride and Handling Performance
Design Flaws Fuel tank positioned behind rear axle differential Rear-end collision caused bolts on differential to damage fuel tank Spark ignited leaking fuel
Ethical Conflicts Violated Fundamental Canons – 1, 4, 5, 6 Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of public Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustee Avoid deceptive acts Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession
Who is to Blame President pushed production to enter subcompact market “Safety does not sell.” Lee Iacocca, President of Ford Motor Co. Engineers chose to not tell the executives about their findings $1 to fix cars to be safe
What Really Happened Easy to blame Ford Motor Co. Lawsuits resulted, record breaking $126 million awarded to plaintiff in California Public information biased against Ford Balance of: Profit Ethics Trusting your materials are graded appropriately Meeting deadlines
Possible Corrections More time for tooling “Saddle-Style” fuel tank Rubber or plastic fuel tank coating Analysis proved rubber coating to be too expensive
Our Project Ethical considerations: Heating beds are 100°C Nozzle is 250°C to thermoform plastic Moving parts Electrical shock, electrical fire Other hazards
Resources Holtzapple & Reece. Concepts in Engineering. McGraw-Hill, Pages 57-84, w/articleId/166/Ford-Pinto.aspx ,00.html c=frontcover&source=web&ots=z_RtCt5rmg&sig=0u6PcHbprm5auFIcGMWDVWy7 Ad4&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=result#PPR11,M1 fight-club-edward-norton _1600_900/