3. The Design Aids of Computers

Goal(s)

  • To model (raster, vector, 2D, 3D, render, animate, simulate) a possible final project, and post it on the class page

Introduction

This week, I took the time to make the model of individual components of the final project using various 2D and 3D software in order to understand the pros and cons of each method for physical projects

The first step was to understand the mechanism of action in the Water Bubble Machine and accordingly design the elements virtually before animating and simulating the function.

For that we watch the following video

Step 1 - Flowchart

As shown in the video, the flowchart of the operations required for the machine are detailed in this image and listed below.

The operations in use will be:

  • Mixing
  • Mould injection
  • Flash Freezing
  • Chemical Reaction

Step 2 - Form Factor and softwares

The goal of this machine is to automate the process of creating Water Bubbles and dispensing them in a hassle free process so that they can be consumed by members of the public at multiple locations.

The machine needs to have a simple form factor that allows for:

  • Ease of Transport
  • Easy to clean and refill
  • Simple to customize
  • Produce 10 Bubbles per hour

The intial render is depicted here

Digital Design

Digital Images are electronic snapshots taken of a scene or scanned from documents, such as photographs, manuscripts, printed texts, and artwork. The digital image is sampled and mapped as a grid of dots or picture elements called pixels. Each pixel is assigned a tonal value (black, white, shades of gray or color), which is represented in binary code (zeros and ones). The binary digits (“bits”) for each pixel are stored in a sequence by a computer and often reduced to a mathematical representation (compressed). The bits are then interpreted and read by the computer to produce an analog version for display or printing.

Pixel Values: As shown in this bitonal image, each pixel is assigned a tonal value, in this example “0” for black and “1” for white

Few more parameters are:

  • Resolution: is the ability to distinguish fine spatial detail.
  • Pixel Dimensions: are the horizontal and vertical measurements of an image expressed in pixels.
  • Bit Depth: is determined by the number of bits used to define each pixel.
  • Dynamic Range: is the range of tonal difference between the lightest light and darkest dark of an image.
  • File Size: File Size = (height x width x bit depth x dpi2) / 8 or (pixel dimensions x bit depth) / 8.
  • Compression: is used to reduce image file size for storage, processing, and transmission.
  • File formats: consist of both the bits that comprise the image and header information on how to read and interpret the file.

The above data is tabulated here for easy reference

The various softwares used for the 3D design are listed below with the render of a part of the project.

Solidworks

Fusion360

Google Sketchup 2017

The softwares used for the 2D design are listed below

CorelDraw 2017

Inkscape

Step 3 - Final (tentative) design

The final design is expected to look like this and the following machine processes are foreseen for the creation of this prototype.

Machine by gichardromes on Sketchfab

Please download the file from SketchFab

Processes expected

  • Digital Fabrication and Design for the outer structure
  • 3D Printing for the special parts
  • Molding and Casting for the mould
  • Electronics and Sensor control for the operations and processes
  • PCB Design for custom control
  • IP and Income from interested parties

Learning

The varieties of softwares that are required for 2D or 3D modelling are quite varied and related to the completxity of the projects that are to be designed or modelled.

The different 3D softwares that I have used are along with their difficulty are listed below:

  • Solid Works (+++) - Required basic undertanding of Mechanical Engg. principles and about 40 hours of tutorials
  • Fusion 360 (++) - Easier than SW, but still requires extensive tutorials to master
  • Blender (+++) - Made for imagineers and animators
  • FreeCAD (+) - As simple as Engineering drawing, but still needs the basic tutorials, also supports parametric design
  • Google Sketchup 2017 Make (+) - Pro is the best, but free versions with basic plugins almost completely substutues for Pro version, anyone can master
  • Onshape (+) - Comes with tutorials at every step and a worthy competition for Solidworks without the high price tag

Not coming from a Mechanical engineering background, the ease of use for 3D software was a very important factor in preparing designs and models, and I discovered that the Google Sketchup Software (Pro) easily wins for the amateur designer for its simplicty of use and extensive library that is commonly shared to begin projects.

Among the 2D softwares used:

  • Inkscape (++) - Perfect for learning how to do basic design
  • CorelDraw (+) - Hands Down the best and most intuitive to use

Modelling Software is incredibly useful to have in specific use cases and my learning will continue until I have basic mastery over all these softwares.