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2. Computer-Aided Design

This week I worked on creating a model of my final project through Fusion 360 and I worked with other computer-aided design tools. I also built a 3D printer and CNC machine to have at my house.

CAD Softwares

I have used many different modeling software throughout my time in the middle and upper school engineering program. I started with simple software like TinkerCAD, Corel Draw, Ink Scape, Fusion 360, and others. This week, I experimented with some new ones as well, such as Gimp and XDesign.

Gimp - Raster

Gimp is one of the best free image editors, and it is very easy to learn. I do not have much experience in image editing, so I watched a few youtube videos about the basics and messed around for about an hour. I created this image, based on a sign in our fab lab:

I chose a similar font and imported a clear image of the fab academy logo. I then edited the image with a few fills and arranged the different parts of the image.

Corel Draw - Vector

Corel Draw is a professional vector interface that I enjoy using. It is easy to learn and use, and is a good tool overall. It has a variety of different features as well, such as virtual segment delete, that make it a great application for 2D modeling. This is a Corel draw file for a tabbed box that I made in 8th grade.

Ink Scape - Vector

Ink Scape is a great free open-source vector interface that is very similar to Corel draw in terms of interface. It does not have certain features, such as the virtual segment delete, but it is one of the better free 2d modeling software. This is an image of some joints I made for a servo arm in 8th grade.

TinkerCAD - 3D Design

One of the first CAD software I have used is TinkerCAD. It is very friendly to new users and allows you to drag and drop simple 3D shapes. It is a great starting place for 3D modeling but is not sophisticated by any means. This is a simple plate I modeled to hold a solar panel on a car I made in 7th grade.

XDesign - 3D Design

Since I already have a good amount of experience with Fusion 360, I wanted to try a new 3D software. After watching this week’s video, one that especially stood out to me was XDesign because it seemed like a powerful software that can run in a browser. I opened XDesign, and immediately noticed that it had many similar features and was built in a similar way to Fusion 360- it had features like extrude, revolve, sweep, fillet, etc. It also had a very similar menu and was not difficult to learn. After about 45 minutes of experimentation, I created this cup:

Fusion 360 - 3D Design

I have a good amount of experience with Fusion 360, and I will mostly be using this software for my project. Most of what I know about fusion is from past projects and school work in my engineering program. I first experimented with Fusion 360 in 8th-grade engineering, and I was overwhelmed by the large number of different functions and functions. I learned a lot about the capabilities and functions of different components in my engineering classes in 9th and 10th grade, and through some videos in the learn Fusion 360 in 30 days series on youtube. In this series, I modeled a variety of objects, including an auger bit:

Final Project CAD

Before fab started, I created a general model for my final project. This model was very basic, but it gave me a good general idea for my project.

Early CAD Model

This model was a good starting place, but it was very rudimentary. To advance my design, I first decided to put the motors on the bottom, as this would make it easier to attach wheels and leave more room on the top, which would make wire management easier.

I then designed the case component that would sit over my car. To do this, I first created a small ring that would go around the outside of the car and designed a piece to fit around this ring. I then created the main part of the case with a couple of loft commands and an extrusion at the top to add some depth to the top piece.

The case component fit nicely over the entire model and looked good as well.

I then added a few holes for screws and cable management, and created this version:

I am pleased with how the final version I created looks. I will likely edit this in the future, but it is a great starting place.

While working on my design, I implemented a large number of parameters into my design. With each sketch and feature, I used a parameter instead of a set distance. This would allow me to edit my entire design by changing only a parameter and would make it much easier to edit my design later on.

Extra Work: Building a 3D Printer and CNC Machine

Because of the Coronavirus, there is a possibility that I will not be able to access the Fab Lab this year. Due to this problem, each fab academy student has been given a Sain Smart CNC machine for PCB and a Ender 3 3D printer, as well as a soldering station for our home use.

CNC Machine

The CNC Machine was the most difficult of the two machines to put together. Overall, it took me about 2 and a half hours to assemble the full machine. I followed the directions on the Sain Smart site for the Genmitsu router, and there were no major problems.

Process of Building the CNC Machine

3D Printer

The 3D Printer was an even easier process than the CNC machine since many of the subassemblies for the printer were already assembled in the kit, such as the entire base including electronics and the y axis. The assembly process went fairly smoothly, and after about 2 hours, I had a fully assembled 3D printer.

Process of Building the 3D Printer

Software

For the 3D printer, the software side was very easy. I simply installed the latest version of Cura for Mac, and I was able to control my printer. After starting a test print that came pre-installed on the printer, I realized that my bed was neither level nor low enough for where the z-axis home when my printer tried to print about 3 mm below the print bed. After lowering the print bed and leveling it again, I was able to print the test print with no problems.

The software for the CNC machine was slightly more difficult. I used the application Candle, a GRBL controller. To install it, I had to update my Mac, which was slightly worrying because I had not realized it would do this when reading about the application, but after the update was installed, I was able to open the program and control my CNC machine.

This week’s files can all be found in this zip file.


Last update: April 27, 2021