I figured it'd be nice to share what I expect to post in the upcoming weeks, since there will be quite a few things I hope to get on here.
1. My Bicycle: This was another project for AME 308 at USC, this time in Solidworks. I completed this before the skateboard, so it'll be another quick post with some pictures.
2. The Grabber / Releaser: Funny name. Anyways, this is a project I've been working on for the USC Underwater Robotics Team. The autonomous submarine must "pick up" a pvc pipe package while underwater, than release it once it reaches the surface in a specified area. While not actually manufactured yet, I will have a post on this soon.
3. The Shooter: Another project for robotics, this time an underwater "gun" must fire a torpedo at a target. This is a new project for me, so I'm doing my usual method and beginning with a range of options from spring loaded to CO2 powered, maybe even throw in a railgun idea! jk on the last part but the problem with the current design is that it only shoots one shot, and that's it. We are allowed at least one more shot, so my effort will be in making it either double barrel or reloading. Hopefully the later :D
Anyways, that's it for now. More posts and cool diagrams soon to come!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Skateboard
Purpose: To design a skateboard in SolidEdge based on certain basic requirements for AME 308 (Computer Aided Design).
Requirements:
1. Must use Solid Edge ST2
2. Minimum required parts: Wheel (x4), bearing (x4), truck (x2), board, fasteners.
3. Minimum overall length of board is 31"
4. Minimum width of board is 7.5"
5. Maximum total weight necessary is 10 lbs
6. Minimum factor of safety of board and trucks under a 200 lbs load is 3.
7. Other arbitrary requirements were added by the class to ensure parts and assembly files worked correctly.
Pictures:
Design Techniques:
While I originally wanted this section to be a more in depth look into how I designed certain aspects of the project, I completed the skateboard a few months ago so the specifics are not too fresh in my mind. However, I will mention a few things.
The board itself was an interesting challenge. While the midsection is curved elliptically outwards in the x direction, the ends are curved (then straight at the ends) outwards in the y direction. This led to an interesting problem of making the curved lip part that rests above the wheels. The solution, however, actually turned out to be a relatively simple loft between the rectangular section of the nose and the bent rectangle of the wing (bear in mind, I'm no skateboarding expert so my terminology will be different).
For the bearings, I will not take credit in the design. I actually found a very nice tutorial for modeling a 608 bearing here, which was meant for a different program. However, I found it extremely helpful when designing it in Solid Edge. Just keep in mind, circular patterns are your friend.
Everything else I pretty much modeled directly from my roommate's skateboard. Any specific questions I'd be happy to answer.
Requirements:
1. Must use Solid Edge ST2
2. Minimum required parts: Wheel (x4), bearing (x4), truck (x2), board, fasteners.
3. Minimum overall length of board is 31"
4. Minimum width of board is 7.5"
5. Maximum total weight necessary is 10 lbs
6. Minimum factor of safety of board and trucks under a 200 lbs load is 3.
7. Other arbitrary requirements were added by the class to ensure parts and assembly files worked correctly.
Pictures:
Design Techniques:
While I originally wanted this section to be a more in depth look into how I designed certain aspects of the project, I completed the skateboard a few months ago so the specifics are not too fresh in my mind. However, I will mention a few things.
The board itself was an interesting challenge. While the midsection is curved elliptically outwards in the x direction, the ends are curved (then straight at the ends) outwards in the y direction. This led to an interesting problem of making the curved lip part that rests above the wheels. The solution, however, actually turned out to be a relatively simple loft between the rectangular section of the nose and the bent rectangle of the wing (bear in mind, I'm no skateboarding expert so my terminology will be different).
For the bearings, I will not take credit in the design. I actually found a very nice tutorial for modeling a 608 bearing here, which was meant for a different program. However, I found it extremely helpful when designing it in Solid Edge. Just keep in mind, circular patterns are your friend.
Everything else I pretty much modeled directly from my roommate's skateboard. Any specific questions I'd be happy to answer.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Vita Ex Machina
Life from the machine. Or so I hope that's what it means. Regardless, this blog will be dedicated to interesting mechanical, mathematical, engineering or physics based projects I come across or am working on. I have a few I've already finished or am near completing I will post in the next few days, but this will be an ongoing compilation. Also, while I don't know how many people will really be reading any of this, if any at all besides myself, I always love an addicting challenge. So if you have an interesting project or problem I'd be happy to hear it! Or if you want to see more detailed pictures or know how I did a certain design let me know.
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