2. Computer-Aided Design

This week I compared the performance of SolidWorks and Fusion360 in terms of 3D modeling applications.

Among the programs we reviewed, the one I liked the most is SolidWorks because I am more familiar with the program and Fusion360 seemed to me to be good only when you really know how you want your drawing without so many measurements, that is, more for modeling.

3D Software

SolidWorks

SOLIDWORKS is 3D CAD design software for modeling 3D parts and assemblies and 2D drawings. The software offers a range of solutions to cover the aspects involved in the product development process. Its products offer the ability to create, design, simulate, manufacture, publish and manage design process data.

Part of the final project. Since I changed the final project (previously I was planning to make an electronic vest), now I am putting a piece that I was selling, which is the disc to be able to place the numbers on the mechanical 7-segment display. In these initial images, you can see the design I created in SolidWorks. However, in this same section, you will be able to find steps on how to make any other piece with greater precision.

  1. Design of the circle with measurements and angles.
  2. Extrusion of the piece.
  3. Creation of another shape for a cut extrusion.
  4. Cut extrusion.
  5. Final piece.
  1. Open the Solid Works application.
  2. Click on the sheet to create a new document, select "Part" and then "OK".
  3. To start drawing select one of the drawings (elevation, plan or top view). Select the "Sketch" tab and then the "Sketch" option.
  4. You can see tools to be able to start drawing. In this case I selected the circle.
  5. One option that this platform gives us is that we can use the equations to be able to modify measurements in the future in an easier way. To find the option place the mouse over the SolidWorks logo, go to the Tools tab and you will find Equations...
  6. This box will appear where you indicate the name of the variable and its measurement.
  7. To measure the dimension of the circle, press "Intelligent dimension" and then select the perimeter of the figure to which you want to give dimension.
  8. As you can see, to place the measure of the equation, you must place a "='Name of the variable'" and if you want to put operations right there.
  9. To give it a 3D dimension, click on "Exit sketch".
  10. Following the previous steps, we can put another sketch in a different plane and make another figure, in this case I used an arc.
  11. Now with both planes that we have, we can create a kind of tube taking as a base the circle and the rest of the way the arc.
  12. We select the face of the base and we can draw another circle.
  13. In Operations we select "Extrude overhang/base" and we can also give the equation size to our figure.
  14. We do the same on the other side.
  15. We can make a cut in a tuvo style by selecting the option "Sweep cut".
  16. We place in one of the bases a circle that we can center with constructive lines and their respective references.
  17. A circular matrix can be made to duplicate the circle as many times as desired.
  18. When leaving this sketch we can Extrude cut of all these circles up to a certain height.
  19. You can also round the edges of the figure with "Rounding".
  20. Final result

    21. 3D Model

    SolidWorks Part by BrendaSofiaPM on Sketchfab

Fusion360

Autodesk Fusion is a cloud-based 3D modeling CAD, CAM, CAE, and printed circuit board software platform for product design and manufacturing. Design and engineer products the way you want to ensure fit, aesthetics, form, and function. Design, engineer and create what you want with comprehensive electronic components and printed circuit board design tools.

  1. Open the Autodesk Fusion 360 application.
  2. When the program starts, it should look like this.
  3. Select this option.
  4. Select a plane and the shape you want to work with.
  5. We place the measurements of the figure and the number of lines we want to work with, the more lines the more movement the figure will have.

2D Software

Inkscape

One of the programs I tried for 2D modeling was Inkscape which was really intuitive and had tools with which you can make drawings and deform them.

Inkscape is a Free and open source vector graphics editor for GNU/Linux, Windows and macOS. It offers a rich set of features and is widely used for both artistic and technical illustrations such as cartoons, clip art, logos, typography, diagramming and flowcharting. It uses vector graphics to allow for sharp printouts and renderings at unlimited resolution and is not bound to a fixed number of pixels like raster graphics.


Conclusions

This week, I was able to learn about some software tools to create designs for things I want to make. In this case, comparing SolidWorks and Fusion 360, I preferred working with SolidWorks. On the other hand, for 2D design, I still prefer to sketch my ideas by hand or use Paint. However, for this week, I used Inkscape.


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