Solid Modelling

Moving along with my recap from last term, here are images from Solid Modelling. This course was the continuation of Rapid Prototyping, dealing mainly with the CAD software Solidworks. We started the course by practicing our Solidworks skills and replicating the inner workings of the Team Losi Mini T remote-controlled car.

Recreating hundreds of small parts in accurate detail took us some time but eventually we got quite good with the program.

Once we had understood both Solidworks and the mechanics of a remote-controlled car we starting making our own. Our car was to be created in Solidworks and fabricated using only rapid-prototyping methods.

I focused on making mine lightweight and easy to control. Starch or plaster 3d printers tend to create rather heavy prototypes so I focused on creating parts for the laser cutter. I was very pleased with the final result, it drove very well and the instructor chose it for the school gallery! (Picture pending!)

Our final exercises were in learning how to render our 3-dimensional creations and create exploded views such as this one.

Rapid Prototyping

Catching up with my recap from last term, here are some highlights from Rapid Prototyping, an aptly named course in which we learned the tools and techniques for creating quick physical models.

Throughout the course we learned to use SolidWorks which allows for the creation of computerized 3d models, mainly for prototyping and production.

Our first project was to design a vase and create it in Solidworks so that it could be printed using a starch-based 3d printing machine. The advantage of this machine is that can build very complex shapes including undercuts.

The result was sanded and painted for our class presentation.

Our second project was to design a plate that would be cut using a flat CNC mill. The constraints were greater in this project because we were limited by the thickness of the material and also by the fact that undercuts cannot be made on this type of machine.

The result was cut out on a beautiful piece of cherry wood which I sanded smooth and finished with wax.

Much of our work at the end of the term revolved around our main studio class, Product Design 1. Here’s a sneak peek of that project: