Aims

Through this exercise you will make extensive use of some of the more advanced features of a commercial CAD system to model and simulate the behaviour of a mechanical device for demonstration purposes. You will refine the design iteratively in light of simulation results and limits of a manufacturing process.

Brief

You should design and analyse a small mechanical assembly that demonstrates an engineering principle, mechanism or device. Ideally, this should be hand-held and suitable for lecture demonstrations to illustrate or explain a concept that is difficult to visualise through other means. The subject chosen must be suitable for manufacture using the 3D printing equipment available in the school but standard parts such as metal fixings and spindles can also be used where necessary. Some designs will be manufactured although this will not affect the assessment. Your design work must be original whilst almost certainly based on known concepts. The varied choice of subjects means that a rigid marking scheme cannot be used but your work will be assessed on the following criteria:

- Successful creation of a novel physical embodiment of a mechanism or device.

- Thoroughness of detailing to achieve robust operation, economical manufacture and refinement of form.

- Use of SolidWorks stress simulation tools to investigate the strength and stiffness of the component parts.

- Use of SolidWorks Motion simulation tools to investigate the dynamic behaviour of the assembly.

- A brief description of background theory, analytical models or design methods applicable to the device.

Initial topic proposal

You must provide a short statement of your intended subject before the end of the second laboratory session. The subject can be revised or enhanced as work proceeds but should follow the initial direction if possible.

Design Report

The complete report is to be submitted electronically in pdf format before Friday of week 15 and should comprise:

- A concise statement of the subject of the study and a brief discussion of any typical applications if any.

- Pictorial evidence of 3D solid models showing full details of your work.

- Graphical evidence demonstrating appropriate use of stress simulation tools with a brief discussion of the studies conducted and interpretation of results.

- Graphical evidence demonstrating appropriate use of motion simulation tools with a brief discussion of the studies conducted and interpretation of results.

- Brief overview of background theory, analytical models or design methods for comparison with simulation findings.

An ideal report should be equivalent to no more than 10 sides of A4 with illustrations of your design and graphical images of simulation output comprising 75% of the content.