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3. Computer Aided design

Started trying different design tools.

2D

Rhino

We had a session on parametric design on 1st of February in our local Fablab. I had to download the latest version of the Rhino software (Rhino 6 for windows). It is free to download and use for 90 days. I downloaded it from the this link Rihno. This version has Grasshopper plugin. We had to install several plugins Lunchbox, Weaverbird, Kangaroo Physics & Meshedit. Then, extracted the plugins in components folder.

Rhino 1

We tried several tools in Rihno & Grasshopper. I tried creating 2D designs by using command or by click on the tool icons. I tried creating a square using command in Rhino

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I tried drawing a wing inside a rectangle using curve tool, then tried to improve the shape by moving the wing points.

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Then, I duplicated the wing & tried to minimise it’s size by pulling the points.

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Also, I created a square, then duplicated it then tried rotaing it using the rotate tool. Then, I created a copy of the rotated square and used the scale tool to reduce it’s size.

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I had some problems when I tried to create several squares inside each other in the sizes that I wanted. So, I created a set of squares inside each other, then copied them & rotated the copied ones.

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Then I used the trim tool to trim some lines.

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Till I got this resualt

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I tried using the design in the wing & to come up with a different design.

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I tried to create a better shaped wing, and this is what I came up with. Then I duplicated it & mirrored it to create a butterfly.

Rhino 19 Rhino 20

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Then,I tried addind some of the previous shapes that I created inside the wing, then I trie to trim & delete some parts but I didn’t like the outcome.

Rhino 21 Rhino 22

File download Rhino (right click + Save link as)

FreeCAD

I tried FreeCAD to do parametric press-fit construction kit. It was easier to use than Rihno but I still had difficulties to make the kit.

FreeCAD

First, I tried adding the dimentions in a spread sheet & then use them in graph. Then I created a circle & tried various tools like trim tool, equal tool, create a rectangle & fix radius tool for a circle or an arc

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I got some errors in my final sketch, I tried solving them, some of them were solved but not all of them.

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Then, I tired with other shapes & ways, but still I didn’t get the result that I wanted.

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Then I tried to draw a shape & set it’s sizes & angles but couldn’t get the result I wanted.

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Solid Works

While I was trying to create the press-fit kit, my friend saw that I was suffering with it, so she showed me how to do it using Solid Works. It looked was much simplier & easier.

Solid works 1 Solid works 2 Solid works 3

So, she letted me borrow her laptop & guided me to use it to create another shape.

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and this was the final result

Solid works 5 Solid works 7 Solid works 6

File download shape 1 (right click + Save link as)

File download shape 2 (right click + Save link as)

3D

3D Builder

I have never used 3D design so I decided to try to use 3D builder since it was already installed on my laptop. I went through learn more.

3d 1 3d 2

I tried exploring & trying different shapes & tools to make a dragon head.

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I didn’t like the outcome of previous attempts, so I tried using different shapes to make the head.

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This was the final result

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File download Dragon

Worked more on the design for week 6 assignment

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download (right click + Save link as)

Other Weeks

You can find more 2D & 3D designs in molding & casting week & in computer controlled machining week final project