Is there a mechanism you always wanted to design but never was assigned in class? Is there a device you use every day where the design seems flawed? This is your opportunity to select a project that interests you! You have been working in lab to learn how to draw difficult parts and assemblies in SolidWorks. This is your opportunity to impress us and show us what you have learned. You are tasked with creating a unique device or a mechanism. This could be something that has never been produced as of right now. This could also be a significant improvement to an existing design. You could also modify something you enjoy to allow someone with disabilities to use it, i.e. wheelchair access. Your challenge is to design a mechanism or device that someone else will want to purchase and you will describe why there is a need for your design. You are required to submit a proposal to define your project. Once approved, you will model each part individually using SolidWorks. The device should consist of 8-12 different parts and the parts should form an assembly. You need to have at least 2 moving parts in your assembly. You may use parts from SolidWorks Toolbox to insert basic mechanical parts like screws, bushings, nuts, etc. However, these parts will not count towards your minimum parts total. In addition, duplicated parts count only as one part. For example, you may want to use 4 screws of the same type in your mechanism; they count as 1 part. After creating an assembly, you will create engineering drawings and make a short animation video of your assembly to show how it assembles, to highlight any features of the design, and to show how it moves once assembled. Finally, you will submit a one page report on your creation giving us details about the design. See the following sections for more specifics.
Proposal You must first submit a proposal concerning your design. This is to ensure that the project of your choice has enough complexity to satisfy the project requirements. Each project must be unique, meaning the device or approach or design must be different from any other students’ work as well as anything that is currently on the market. You cannot simply model something that already exists. Additionally, this is considered a professional project so the topic must be appropriate (no weapons, no illegal items, and no objects that you would not want to show your grandparents). The proposal is an overview of what you intend to design. It must be a typed document that uses a professional tone and proper grammar. It can be single-spaced and should be about one paragraph. It must be organized logically. The proposalshould contain the following information: ● Introduction to your design. What do you intend to design or improve upon? ● Context to your design. What does your device or mechanism do? ● Uniqueness. How is your design unique? ● What are the parts you will use in your assembly? Your project submittal must match your proposal description. If for some reason, you change your mind and design something else, you must resubmit a proposal and get it approved. You must email the TA after resubmitting a proposal to notify us to re-evaluate your proposal. We will not grade projects that do not have an accepted proposal. Proposal Submittal Submit your proposal online to Blackboard as a survey response prior to the deadline. You are encouraged to turn in your proposal early and get feedback from the TA’s sooner and get started. In fact, earlier is better so that you can utilize your time in lab effectively. Submit a single PDF file with contents as described above. Name the file as: o Project1_proposal_netid.pdf. o Replace netid with your netid ● Put your name at the top. ● Click on the assignment in Blackboard to upload your file. Even if you have gotten a verbal acknowledgement from a TA, you must still submit the proposal so that we have a record of what project you have selected. ● Proposal due date: Fri. March. 1 th by 11:59 pm to Blackboard Engineering Drawings You will need to create two engineering drawings of the assembly: an assembly and an exploded view drawing. 1. Make an assembly drawing showing isometric views (collapsed). This drawing has no dimensions. Use this on your title page. Page 3 of 5 2. Make an exploded view drawing that contains explode lines to indicate clearly how your parts assemble. See the attached handout on how to make the explode lines. Include a Bill of Materials (BOM). The part names in BOM should match your part file names. Include balloons callouts to indicate all part numbers in the assembly. Use the ME 347 title block we gave you. Include your name and project title. Report The report must be a typed document that uses a professional tone and proper grammar. It must be organized and logical. Your report must contain the following content in the following order: 1. Title Page. The title page should include: o Your name o Class name (ME 347 Spring 2019-Introduction to CAD) o Title of the project o Date of submission o Illustration of your assembly. Show an isometric view of your design. 2. Parts list. Include one page containing a bulleted parts list of all the parts in your assembly. 3. Exploded view drawing. See Engineering Drawings for details. This is one page. 4. Short essay. This is about one page long, single-spaced. The essay should include text discussing the following: o Introduction to your design. What did you design or redesign? o Context to your design. What does your device or mechanism do? o Uniqueness. How is your design unique? o Practicality and Usefulness. Why would a customer want to buy your device? o Suggestions for further improvement. How else could your device be improved? Deliverables 1. A single PDF file with contents as described above. Name the file as: o Project1_netid.pdf. o Replace netid with your netid 2. Part and assembly files. You must use Pack and Go to zip these together. Include: o Exploded and collapsed views. o Name the files exactly how they are in your Parts List. Example: you have a bushing as a part. Name your file as bushing_netid.sldprt Replace netid with your netid. 3. Animation video. A motion study must be included separately as an AVI file. The video should adhere to the following: o The video must not be longer than 30 seconds. o The size of video file must not be larger than 30 Mb. o It should showcase all the features in your design. It must rotate around the assembly to show all the sides or parts. o It should show how your device moves once assembled and be a functioning assembly. Page 4 of 5 o Include transparencies when necessary to show motion, i.e. seeing gears on the motor.