Solidworks (CAD) modelling. Collection of 2 mechanical dissections.

Sept '15

 

 

 

 

Life is like a ten speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.

 

Charles M. Schulz 

 

 

 

 

Designing for a need, designing around constraints

A dissection of a can opener (full simplified rendering seen in Fig. 10) allowed a hands on understanding of:

• gear train assebmlies

• support structures

• shaft attachment methods 

The redesign: “Consumers have complained that the original, low-cost design jams too easily and thus cannot open some cans. Fix this problem by increasing the torque output of the gear train by 25% to 50%. The new design should be able to (roughly) fit within the same space and connect to the input and output at roughly the same locations.”

 

It was to my own and my team's discretion as whether or not to choose to prioritize cost or quality, or some combination of both. 

 

A dissection of an industrial right angle reduction gearbox allowed me to practice lateral thinking and creative design. The design parameters were: "Modify the design to be fully reversible (i.e., can drive input or output with no restriction) while maintaining the current gear ratio and shaft locations."

 

CAD design and models are seen throughout Figures 1-7.

 

Process

For each dissection, a set of engineering specifications was written followed by sketches. The process was often divergent then converge and ultimately iterative.

 

Skill Highlights

• Formal engineering process: justifiable, methodical and accountable critical thinking and communication.

• Industry expertise: 2D technical drawings following ANSI and ISO standards using Third Angle Projection

• Creative Design: presented with almost limitless creativity with the design, redesigning was a starkly more challenging experience and skill than modelling

• Application of technical knowledge: Understanding how to design with and around constraints by fulfilling the requirements and producing a working mechanism