Computer Aided Design
We have a license for Solidworks at the Manchester Fab Lab and as I have spent many years using this package I decided to continue with this for the duration of the Fab Academy. I have played around with the tutorials for a few other packages but I think it would take me too long to become as proficient with them as I am with Solidworks. At this stage I have produced 3D models for the wheels and axle bearings, which I thing I will 3D print (this is perfect for low strength bearings); the tyres which I will mould out of silicon or polhyurethane rubber; the base which I will laser cut; and the shell which I will mould using a blank routed on the Shopbot. I think I will probably just use dowell for the axles.
Robot Butler:
