HW2 CAD

Introduction

Prior to this assignment I had no CAD experience, so even beginning this assignment seemed very daunting. I decided to use SolidWorks after the preview we got in class. My first thought was to gain familiarity by learning a base for the project idea I had in mind. CADCAM is a YouTuber that has multiple videos breaking down the assembly of multiple different projects.

Brainstorming Phase

Wooden Chair Cartoon Illustration, Wooden Chair, Simple Furniture, Furniture Decoration Illustration PNG Transparent Clipart Image and PSD File for Free Downloa… | Wooden chair, Simple furniture, Furniture decor

My idea was to create something like the image to the left, which depicts a wooden chair. I thought this would be a good challenge despite my lack of experience using solid works. I decided to begin with the video below to help my out with the process.

The video above is a stool. I thought this would be a starting point, and I could figure out how to create the back side of the chair on my own by using similar concepts learned during the construction of the stool portion.

Part 1: Creating the Stool

This portion took much longer than I expected. SolidWorks is a powerful software and I didn’t realize how much time it would take to find certain options like creating axes, filet, and more. I began by using SolidWorks available on VMWare. It was difficult to complete the steps on a MacBook laptop because rotating the shapes was not possible without a real mouse. Down below Figure 1 shows a portion of the leg of the stool base.

Leg Chair Side Profile

There were multiple issues that slowed the process of creating the stool portion of the chair. For instance, Smart Dimensions was not operating correctly. I learned it was because parts of my figure were “over defined” therefore creating the issue of “driving dimensions.” I tried to fix this problem multiple times by visiting online platforms but it was getting late so I decided to continue the effort the following day.

Screenshot chair leg in SolidWorks
Figure 2 (above) captures an issue I kept running into while using Smart Dimensions

Unfortunately, I began to run into problems with using SolidWorks through the online VMWare platform. Every time I reloaded the page I received the error of “Failed to connect to the Connection Server,” as scene in Figure 3 below. I eventually decided to move to the computer lab on the first floor of the SEC, where I had access to a much larger screen and real mouse where I could easily rotate the 3D image.

Figures 3, 4, and 5 are all problems I ran into with creating my design in SolidWorks from VMWare. I even had to restart the progress on the stool that I created, which was also unfortunate. Luckily, it was faster to construct the second time because I was growing more accustomed to the software and its features.

Screenshot Error Message SolidWorks VMware
Figure 3 (above) connection error with VMWare online access
Side profile leg support screenshot SolidWorks
Figure 4 (above) shows a loading error with the software because it ended up crashing and my work was lost
Screenshot error SolidWorks saving file
Figure 5 (above) is another error I ran into with accessing my previously saved work — I could not pull up the project I had been working on for hours prior

After using SolidWorks in the SEC, I was able to reconstruct the legs and base to the stool that I had started. I decided to make the appearance a polished gold. The assembly was more straight forward, but I was not able to successfully add the leg supports to their designated hole.

Polished gold stool
Figure 6 (above) stool without supports with polished gold appearance

Part 2: Creating the the complete chair (back side of the chair)

For creating the backside of the chair, I had to use my creativity and the skills that I had already gained. I decided to use the extrude option to create the hollow spaces in the back of the chair, and I used Smart Dimensions to ensure that everything was evenly proportioned. The image below depicts the backside created for the upper chair portion. This piece was then joined with the stool created earlier.

Back part of chair SolidWorks progress dimensions
Figure 7 (above) upper portion of the chair

The part above was joined with the stool to create the entire chair look below. There were issues with fitting the stool supports in the designated holes so unfortunate they were left suspended. All in all, the completion of this assignment was mildly successful.

Polished Golden Chair SolidWorks
Figure 8 (above) completed chair

Questions:

Software package used. (Did you try more than 1 package)?

I decided to use SolidWorks, and would be open to trying different software in the future.

What was hard?

Gaining familiarity was difficult at first, but the tutorial video was helpful and provided a solid base. Figuring out smart dimensions was also difficult, as well as running into the technical difficulties.

What you need to learn to advance further

How to properly assemble different parts together, as well as more complex features dealing with symmetry, rotations, mirroring and axes. I thought this assignment was immensely beneficial and I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish!