This website contains a sample of my Solid Modelling work. In history I had used Autodesk Inventor but more recently I now come to use Solidworks.<\/p>\n
\n
Solid Modelling is used for 3D mechanical design. The deliverables include 3D Models and 2D CAD for the purposes of visualization, 2D prints, documentation, interference analysis, and stress analysis of your design. <\/p>\n
\n
In the late 1960’s practical uses of CAD emerged. An outline of the historical development of CAD software that is available to the public can be found on the CADENAS PARTsolutions webpage <\/a>. It was mainly initially used merely to provide a computerized form of 2D drafting. Prior to that point, Mechanical Designers (or Mechanical Drafters) were using pencil and paper to design everything. The ultimate purpose being to communicate the design intent to the fabricator. However, CAD has nowadays developed to provide very practical uses in many applications. <\/p>\n In 1982 Autodesk’s AutoCAD was released into the market providing a commercially available 2D CAD package for the desktop PC. Since then, AutoCAD has been used as the industry standard for certain applications by designers and other professionals. Here, as with pencil and paper, mechanical designers still use 2D prints to convey information from design to workshop. They have to think in 3D while presenting their design in numerous 2D prints. However, in 1999 Autodesk Inventor was introduced into the market in competition with other comparable software like Solidworks. Where the designer develops 3D models of the design and the 2D drawings are generated automatically by the software. In its early days it was rather crude but today it is a fully developed 3D solid modelling package. <\/p>\n Today 3D modelling has found its way in many aspects of the design. It’s used in many applications corresponding to numerous varieties of CAD software. These include everything from CAM applications, such as in building the outer shell model of a car to 3D printing. One workflow is to go from 2D print to digital prototype, to 3D print aka additive manufacturing. The CAD software often used is proprietary, where basically the company manufacturing the product like the airplane or car also has their own 3D software. However, of the software that is publicly available, I’m familiar with Autodesk Inventor and Solidworks. Of which, the 3D models can be used for 3D printing. However, the applications of Solid Modelling occasionally overlap those of AutoCAD. And potential clients looking for mechanical designers for particular applications very often tossup which of these two software packages to choose. I first came across Inventor in a professional capacity in 2007. It was in one of my roles as a Mechanical Designer while working for a company called Advanced Production Machinery. \n<\/p>\n When using Inventor there are error messages, work arounds, and bugs. There are cases where the entire 3D model explodes after an incremental edit to a particular component. This was initially shown to occur to me by my colleague with one particular 3D model in 2007. When an Autodesk Reseller was questioned on this, they said that “We sell garbage… Its just law suits [from that particular product]”. Someone else said that this occurs in every 3D model when it gets to a certain complexity. That the software is designed that way. Also, someone else said that it is due to my software license of the product being a student version. And that this is analogous to the watermark produced in the student license of AutoCAD. I believe that this also occurs with Solidworks. One Solidworks reseller said that \u201cit is linked to the US department of Defense. That there is a blanket restriction on all publicly available 3D modelling software so that terrorists don’t build advanced bombs\u201d. Bizarre. Whatever. In any case I don’t understand war. I am a simple fisherman trying to run a business. Or more like a backyard mechanic.<\/p>\n\n Also, with Inventor\/Solidworks there are certain situations where the components and their entities have to be computationally accurate. This can lead to jigsaw puzzle work while you locate the root cause of a problem. Leading to a divergence of your focus from design while trying to deal with the software. However, for some specific projects Inventor\/Solidworks is suitable. With care the capabilities of the software can be used to end up with a result that is as close as possible to the design intent. Autodesk includes sample files for Inventor on its website which are perfect examples of what it can be used for. The download is Autodesk Inventor Sample Files <\/a> \n <\/p>\n Since 2007 I had a short history of experience using Inventor in Mechanical Designer roles. With Inventor, Autodesk has attempted to cater for many different cohorts in diverse markets. Some of its features are used more than others. The sample files on this website use features that are typically used in my portfolio of work. Please feel welcome to peruse these samples that are available for you to download at Portfolio<\/a>. This includes the file called Industrial Refrigerator which is an example of a 3D model which explodes after an incremental edit to a frame member. The frame member in question is highlighted in blue in the corresponding JPG image. You can try making that particular edit to the 3D model yourself and observe the result. Also for a small price you can download my latest and best work using Solidworks from my online shop<\/a>. Ready for detailing and manufacture. And there will be more to come.<\/p>\n Nowadays I use Solidworks only. I have a current role with Hechi as a Mechanical Designer \/ Director where I use the software for the design of automation machinery. And I have a 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers license. Further, Solidworks has its error messages, work arounds, and bugs just like Inventor. But in my experience thus far with Solidworks, I have found that the 3D models have not exploded. The models have not yet reached that complexity for this to occur. <\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n