TDJ2O_Engineering

include component="page" wikiName="jmcintyre" page="course_tabs_header" include component="page" wikiName="jmcintyre" page="menu_tdj2o_crumbs"

=Engineering - 2D Design= //[|(source)]//

Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes.

The key in good design is that our ideas should stem from principles of engineering as much as from artistic form and function. That is, the object should not only look good, but it should function under a variety of conditions all predefined by our materials choices and object's structure.

To that end, in the generation of ideas we use AutoCAD and other 2D modeling software to create blueprints from which to work. Blueprints are a roadmap from which a person building an object can ensure every last detail of the original design can be followed. Named by the process by which they were replicated prior to the invention of large plotter and printers, a blueprint includes all relevant details of construction from component sizes, to assembly, to material choices and tolerance.



AutoCAD
//The devil or your best friend?//

AutoCAD (computer-aided-design) is a high-end program that is used by designers the world over to realize their ideas. AutoCAD not only allows you to design in 2D and 3D but it also has, as output options, the ability to send information from your designs to [|CnC routers], and [|3D printers] for modeling.

We will explore the basics of AutoCAD as a tool in our design arsenal.

We will follow [|this basic reference guide]as we begin to head through the world of AutoCAD.



1) Introduction
//[|source]//  Everything that you draw in AutoCAD is exact. All objects drawn on the screen are placed there based on a simple X,Y coordinate system. In AutoCAD this is known as the World Coordinate System (WCS). You must understand this to know how to put things where you want them. Below are diagrams showing you how this system works:
 * The X,Y coordinate system**

In order to work effectively with AutoCAD, you have to work with this system. Until you are comfortable and familiar with it, learning AutoCAD will be more of a chore. Your life will be made MUCH easier once you understand this world-space.

Here is how it works: AutoCAD uses points to determine where an object is located. There is an origin where it begins counting from. This point is (0,0). Every object is located in relation to the origin. If you were to draw a line straight out to the right from the origin, this would be considered the positive X-axis. If you were to draw a line straight up, this would be the positive Y-axis. The picture above shows a point located at (9,6). This means that the point is 9 units over in the X-axis and 6 units up in the Y-axis. When you are working with points, X always comes first. The other point shown is (-10,-4). This means that the point is 10 units in the negative X-axis (left) and 4 units in the negative Y-axis (down).

A line has two points, a start point and an end point. AutoCAD works with the points to display the line on the screen. Move your cursor over the picture above and you will see line drawn from the absolute points of (-10,-4) to (9,6).

Most of the time you will not have an indication of where the origin is. You may need to draw a line from the endpoint of an existing line. To do this you use relative points. These work the same way, but you have to add the @ symbol to tell AutoCAD that this next point is relative from the last point entered. If you're using the mouse of course, you need not entirely worry about your coordinates, other than to place the endpoint of your lines. We'll talk more of this later.  AutoCAD measures angles in a particular way also. Look at the diagram below:
 * Angular Measurement**



When drawing lines at an angle, you have to begin measuring the angle from 0 degrees, which is at the 3 o'clock position. If you drew a line at 90 degrees, it would go straight up. The example above (when you move your mouse over it) shows a line drawn at +300 degrees (270+30), or -60 degrees.

You might not always have an obvious reference point for 0 degrees. Look at the example below and place your mouse on the image to find out the angle in question.

In this example, you are given information about the lines, but not the angle AutoCAD needs to draw the line from the start point. What you are given though, is (a) the knowledge that 0° is at the 3 o'clock position (b) the knowledge that 180° is at the 9 o'clock position and (c) the angle between 180° and the line you want to draw is 150°. With this information, you can figure out what angle you need. Here is a fool-proof way of getting the angle you need:


 * 1) Start at the 0° position and measure counter-clockwise (+) to 180°
 * 2) From 180°, measure clockwise 150° (-)
 * 3) Consider that you just went +180-150 and use that as an equation: +180-150=30
 * 4) Now you can draw your line using polar coordinates (discussed below)

You can enter points directly on the command line using three different systems. The one you use will depend on which is more applicable for the situation. The first assignment will get you used to this. The three systems are as follows:
 * Summary: Entering Points in AutoCAD**

ABSOLUTE CO-ORDINATES - Using this method, you enter the points as they relate to the origin of the WCS. To enter a point just enter in the exact point as X,Y.

RELATIVE CO-ORDINATES - This allows you to enter points in relation to the first point you have entered. After you've entered one point, the next would be entered as @X,Y. This means that AutoCAD will draw a line from the first point to another point X units over and Y units up relative to the previous point.

POLAR CO-ORDINATES - You would use this system if you know that you want to draw a line a certain distance at a particular angle. You would enter this as @D<A. In this case, D is the distance and A is the angle. Example: @10<90 will draw a line 10 units straight up from the first point.

The three ways of entering coordinates shown above are the ONLY way AutoCAD accepts input. First decide which style you need to use, and then enter as shown. Remember that X is always before Y (alphabetical). Don't forget the '@' symbol when you are entering relative points. Any typing error or omission will give you results you don't want. If you make a mistake all you need to do is CTRL-Z to undo, or press F2 to see your entry to figure out what you did wrong.



2) Drawing and Modifying
//[|source]// AutoCAD allows you to have access to a large number of commands. A general rule is that you will use 20% of the commands 80% of the time. I will start by introducing you to the most common drawing commands. When you combine these with the basic modify commands, you will be able to make elaborate drawings quite quickly. In other words, most of the commands you will use while using AutoCAD are taught in Level 1.

The important thing to remember is that AutoCAD will expect you give it information in a very particular order. The most frustrating thing when you begin using this program is that you will try to do something, but AutoCAD will 'not work'. In most cases, it means that you are trying to input information at the wrong time. This is why it is very important to be in the habit of looking at the command line.

__**The command line tells you what information AutoCAD requires to continue!**__

Your first drawing assignments will be to use the drawing commands in conjunction with the co-ordinate system. These are basic assignments, but it is very important to understand how to give the program accurate information. You will use the following commands:


 * **Command** || **Keystroke** || **Icon** || **Location** || **Result** ||
 * Line || Line / L || [[image:http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_1/images/line_icon.gif width="40" height="54" align="center" caption="Line Icon"]] || __H__ome > __LI__ne || Draw a straight line segment from one point to the next ||
 * Circle || Circle / C || [[image:http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_1/images/circle_icon.gif width="32" height="22" align="center" caption="Circle Icon"]] || __H__ome> __C__ircle > Center, __R__adius || Draws a circle based on a center point and radius. ||
 * Erase || Erase / E || [[image:http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_1/images/erase_icon.gif width="24" height="22" align="center" caption="Erase Icon"]] || __M__odify > __E__rase || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">Erases an object. ||

By now you have probably seen a colored rectangle appear on your screen when you left-click and the move the crosshairs around. You'll learn all about these in this lesson. AutoCAD uses what's called a selection set to allow you to group objects together and then modify them. For example, if you want to erase several lines, you could press E <ENTER>, pick on the line, press <ENTER> again and repeat until you're done. Another way would be to press E <ENTER>, and then pick the lines one by one until they are all selected, and press <ENTER>. By selecting a group of objects, you have created a selection set. Whenever you want to modify an object, and are asked by AutoCAD to "select objects" you can create a selection set and then apply the command.

__**REMEMBER TO PRESS ENTER WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED SELECTING THE OBJECTS**__

There are also a few other ways to create a selection set. The most common way is to use a window.

There are two very different types of windows you can use.


 * <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**DIRECTION** || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**CALLED** || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**DISPLAY** || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**EFFECT** ||
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">RIGHT TO LEFT || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">CROSSING SELECTION || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">GREEN

<span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">(with a dotted outline) || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">SECLECTS ANY OBJECT THAT EITHER CROSSES THE BOUNDARY OR IS INSIDE IT ||
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">LEFT TO RIGHT || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">WINDOW SELCTION || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">BLUE || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">SELECTS ON OBJECTS THAT ARE COMPLETELY WITHIN THE BOX ||

One is a 'crossing window' and the other is a box. If you create the window from right to left, you make a crossing window. This means that any object that crosses the border or is surrounded by the window is added to the selection set. This is shown as a green rectangle with a dotted outline on the screen. If you create the window from left to right, you create a box. Using this method you'll add only the items that are completely within the box. This is shown as a blue box on the screen. The difference is very important.



__Evaluation__
Submit the DWG file into your folder
 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Content**
 * <A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, B2, B4, C1>** || All steps are followed and the end product is exemplary. || Generally all steps are followed, there are small errors in layers. || Generally the product is as it should be, though there are enough errors in replication that final product is awkward. || Large errors in replication of the product. ||
 * **Use of Time**
 * <D2>** || Used time well during each class period (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||



Assignment#4 - AutoCAD: trim, offset, rectangle, extend
Using the following link: [] you are to recreate the following pictures exactly, including text and dimensions: //(note: the version of AutoCAD used in the tutorial is AutoCAD 2010, but our version of AutoCAD (2007) will work just fine - you'll just need to know where the symbols are in our version)//

The previous lesson dealt with drawing commands. This lesson will introduce some common modifying commands. In AutoCAD, you may actually use modifying commands more often than drawing commands. Now that you know the basics, here's some more commands to add to your collection. Three commands, Trim, Extend and Offset are used standard AutoCAD work. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,mono; font-size: 16px;">**REC** || || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">__H ome > Draw >__
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**Command** || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**Keystroke** || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**Icon** || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**Location** || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**Result** ||
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Rectangle || <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,mono; font-size: 16px;">**RECTANGLE /**

<span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">__Rectan__g__le__ || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Draws a rectangle after you enter one corner and then the second. ||
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Trim || <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,mono; font-size: 16px;">**TRIM / TR** || [[image:http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_1/images/trim_icon.gif width="22" height="22" align="center" caption="Trim Icon"]] || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Home > __M__odify >

<span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">__T__rim || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Trims objects to a selected cutting edge. || || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">__T__ools > Object
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Extend || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,mono; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">**EXTEND / EX** || [[image:http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_1/images/extend_icon.gif width="22" height="22" align="center" caption="Extend Icon"]] || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Home > __M__odify > Exten__d__ || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Extends objects to a selected boundary edge. ||
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Offset || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,mono; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">**OFFSET / O** || [[image:http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_1/images/offset_icon.gif width="24" height="22" align="center" caption="Offset Icon"]] || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Home > __M__odify > Off__s__et || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Offsets an object (parallel) by a set distance. ||
 * <span style="color: #009933; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-decoration: none;">Object Snaps || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,mono; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">OSNAP / OS / F3 || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">CLICK

<span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">S__n__ap Settings || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Brings up the OSNAP dialog box. ||

__Evaluation__

 * To submit: 2 AutoCAD files (drawing5a.dwg, drawing5b.dwg).**
 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Content**
 * <A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, B2, B4, C1>** || All steps are followed and the end product is exemplary. || Generally all steps are followed, there are small errors in layers. || Generally the product is as it should be, though there are enough errors in replication that final product is awkward. || Large errors in replication of the product. ||
 * **Use of Time**
 * <D2>** || Used time well during each class period (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||



Assignment#5 - Modifying Commands
The final set of commands we'll regularly use are the following:
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**Command** || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**Keystroke** || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**Icon** || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**Location** || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">**Result** ||
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Move || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,mono; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">**Move / M** || [[image:http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_1/images/move_icon.gif width="33" height="33" align="center" caption="Move Icon"]] || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Home > __M__odify > Mo__v__e || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Moves an object or objects ||
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Copy || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,mono; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">**Copy / CP** || [[image:http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_1/images/copy_icon.gif width="24" height="22" align="center" caption="Copy Icon"]] || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Home > __M__odify > Cop__y__ || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Copies object(s) once or multiple times ||
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Stretch || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,mono; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">**Stretch / S** || [[image:http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_1/images/stretch_icon.gif width="24" height="22" align="center" caption="Stretch Icon"]] || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Home > __M__odify > Stretc__h__ || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Stretches an object after you have selected a portion of it ||
 * <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Mirror || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,mono; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">**Mirror / MI** || [[image:http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_1/images/mirror_icon.gif width="24" height="22" align="center" caption="Mirror Icon"]] || <span style="color: #313a4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">Home > __M__odify > M__i__rror || <span style="color: #313a4c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Creates a mirror image of an object or selection set ||



__Evaluation__
Submit the DWG when complete
 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Content**
 * <A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, B2, B4, C1>** || All steps are followed and the end product is exemplary. || Generally all steps are followed, there are small errors in layers. || Generally the product is as it should be, though there are enough errors in replication that final product is awkward. || Large errors in replication of the product. ||
 * **Use of Time**
 * <D2>** || Used time well during each class period (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||



Assignment#6 - Application of your knowledge
Knowing what you know, recreate the following



__Evaluation__
Submit the DWG once complete
 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Content**
 * <A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, B2, B4, C1>** || All steps are followed and the end product is exemplary. || Generally all steps are followed, there are small errors in layers. || Generally the product is as it should be, though there are enough errors in replication that final product is awkward. || Large errors in replication of the product. ||
 * **Use of Time**
 * <D2>** || Used time well during each class period (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||

 = Practical Engineering - Create CNC router design out of wood = There are a number of direct practical outputs from your 2D AutoCAD drawings. We can print them out to use as blueprints for building, share them as computer graphics (pictures) to convey an idea or to use as a working plan for a project - both of which we'll do in future projects. However, the next step for us is to take our CAD drawings and output them directly to an interface that will allow us to 'cut them out' in a material of our choice. To do this we'll be using a CnC router. A CNC router (CNC stands for computer numerical control) is a numerical control tool that creates 3D objects from various materials.

Projects are typically designed on a computer with a CAD/CAM program, and then cut automatically using a cutting tool in a router. The CNC router works like a printer, in that a set of instructions are sent from the CAM/CAD program to the CNC router for the hard copy. Because the CNC router uses a cutting tool that can cut in all 3 Cartesian coordinates (Z depth as well as X and Y), the output is a 3-dimensional copy of the work. The cutting tool is generally a router with various shapes/sizes of routing bits, but other cutters can be used as well. The CNC Router is ideal for hobbies, engineering prototyping, product development, art, robotic education, and production work.

media type="youtube" key="xtmUbquYuuI?version=3" height="315" width="420"

Since AutoCAD itself doesn't have the interface needed to tell the router how to work, we'll be using a program called vCarve Pro. We'll create our drawings in AutoCAD and move to vCarve to make the toolpaths for carving. We'll then take our creations on USB sticks to the CNC router and use melamine as a media in which to cut out our designs.



vCarve Pro
We will be using vCarve Pro to interface between our work in AutoCAD and our output to the CNC router. The vCarve [|interface is fairly simple]. We will be using [|this explanation document] (PDF warning) to supplement our in-class tutorial on the functionality of vCarve.

Simplistically - vCarve will either open a dwg (AutoCAD) drawing and we can use the vectors from our drawing to create toolpaths (what the CNC will cut for us) OR it will create vectors for us from a picture to cut on the CNC. The general workpath for using the CNC is:
 * 1) Create vectors of the drawing in vCarve (either from importing an AutoCAD file, __or__ using the bitmap trace functions within vCarve on a picture from the internet)
 * 2) Select the region you want to vCarve on the CNC
 * 3) Specify tool information (which includes the tool type [flat vs. beveled], depths, starting location etc...
 * 4) Virtually preview the toolpath as it was actually being cut
 * 5) Save the toolpath (txt file for our router which is a Mach) onto a USB stick
 * 6) Place the material in the CNC router and set the starting point (typically the bottom left corner).
 * 7) Allow the CNC to cut the design.



Assignment #7 - Carve a Logo
You are to create a logo for a fictitious company. For example: You are to design your logo in AutoCAD. Make sure you have put a border around the logo (it is up to you what style of border you want, from fancy curves, to straight lines). Using our knowledge about toolpaths etc... bring our *.dwg over to vCarve which can then turn it into a cutting path. After this we'll put the file on a USB stick and head to the CNC router and cut our project.

__Evaluation__
To submit:
 * AutoCAD file
 * vCarve file
 * finished wood product
 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **AutoCAD File** || Logical steps are followed and resulting design is exemplary. || Generally all steps are followed, there are small errors in lines. || Generally the product is as it should be, though there are enough errors in replication that final product is flawed. || Large errors in generation of the design. ||
 * **vCarve File** || Logical steps are followed and resulting design is exemplary. || Generally all steps are followed, there are small errors in toolpaths. || Generally the product will cut, though there are enough errors in replication that could be an issue. || The paths won't cut and the end-product will likely break the CnC Router. ||
 * **Use of Time** || Used time well during each class period (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||
 * **Product** || Final product/choice of material is exemplary || Final product/choice of material is superior, with some minor flaws || Final product/choice of material is presentable, but contains some flaws || Final product/choice of materials lead to an inferior product ||

 =Assignment #8 - Tower of Power= We will use the design cycle to come up with a product that will address the following goal:
 * Design a tower, using limited materials, that will withstand maximal shear stress.

Description:
Towers and skyscrapers are built with the intention that they remain upright even under strong shear and torsional forces. The purpose of this activity is to construct a tower that will remain upright and intact as a force is applied to one side.

General Rules:
The tower must be built entirely in the classroom/shop.

Materials:

 * The tower is to be built entirely out of 4 mm x 9 mm pine strips (roughly 2x4 scaled in metric) bonded by wood glue ONLY. No other materials may be used.
 * Cut wood pieces can be of any length - I will typically supply 1m long pieces.
 * 8 m of wood will be supplied to the team. Only this wood may be used.

Construction:

 * All construction must be completed prior to the test date - allow at least 24h for a full cure before testing
 * Laminating wood members is allowed (but likely you won’t have the extra wood to do so).
 * Glue can only be placed between two separate pieces of wood and in wood gaps. You cannot coat an entire piece of wood with glue without connecting directly to the surface of another piece. When laminating members together, glue may only be placed between the touching wood surfaces. If glue bleeds between the surfaces and/or connections, it must be sanded off so it will not provide rigidity to the member. I will determine if the glue provides support to the structure.
 * Any method of securing the tower to the base is acceptable as long as the vertical sides of the foundation are clear of any obstructions since the base will be put in a vice to hold it to test the tower.

Tower Dimensions:

 * The tower must have an interior area of no less than 100 cm2.
 * A 5” by 5” x ¾ “ [127mm x 127mm x 19 mm] block of wood will provide the base. You will make the base from stock pine.
 * The tower must exceed, or be equal to, 80 cm in height.

Testing:

 * All towers will be impounded at the beginning of the competition (no work or adjustment may take place once testing begins)
 * Eye protection has to be used since when the towers shatter they could yield fast moving fragments of wood under high speed. TRUST ME.
 * The tower will have an approximately 400 g bucket suspended from the testing apparatus (see figure 1 below). If the tower does not support the bucket then the tower will have failed with no results.
 * All contestants are expected to follow the engineering rule of ethics (no cheating). Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of a grade. Your tower will be loaded to destruction as demonstrated.
 * The base will be placed in a typical vice. If the base slips out, then the last successful weight applied to the bucket will be considered to be the final weight.

Evaluation:
General value of various components of the project:
 * Before construction begins - an isometric sketch must be submitted for assessment. After completion, a final isometric drawing will be submitted with the design report. The isometric drawing will include all relevant details as pullouts.
 * From the isometric sketch, you are to create front and side views as well as top view of your tower in AutoCAD. You will use these in guiding your construction.
 * Tower construction - overall design of the finished product will be evaluated including: dimensions, style and adherence to the working drawings.
 * Self-Evaluation/ write-up.
 * Component || Value ||
 * 1 - Isometric drawings || 4 ||
 * 2 - AutoCAD files || 4 ||
 * 3 - Tower construction || 8 ||
 * 4 - Tower load || % of 10 ||
 * 5 -Technical Report || 6 ||


 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Isometric drawing**
 * <B1,B2>** || Isometric drawing is flawless - pullouts (notes) include relevant design details || Isometric drawing is good, pullouts are included. Mostly all details are addressed. || Generally the isometric drawing conveys design plans. There are several design elements missing. || Many design elements are missing from the isometric drawing, but overall the design can be understood. ||
 * **AutoCAD File**
 * <B2,B4>** || Relevant views of the there are clear || All views are present, though there may be confusion in the drawings || Generally the drawings can lead towards a final product, but there are flaws in which construction details may be obscured || There are large errors in the object views - such that construction will be difficult based on the schematics. ||
 * **Tower construction**
 * <B3>** || Construction of the product is superior. All joints and cuts are careful and deliberate. Product is stylistically superior. || Construction is sound. Cuts and joints may not all be perfect. Product is generally pleasant to look at. || Generally the construction is solid. Cuts and joints as well as style all leave something to be desired. || The construction is weak. Joints and or cuts are mismatched which results in a stylistically inferior product. ||
 * **Technical Report**
 * <A1,A2,A3,A4>** || All aspects of the report are present and exemplary || All aspects of the report are present, though may require some work || There are aspects missing and work is required || There are many flaws in the report ||
 * **Use of Time**
 * <A5,C1,D2>** || Used time well during each class period (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||

Technological Report
[[|Exemplar of what it would look like]]

1. Title Page
The title page is used to grab the attention of the reader. As such, it should contain some form of illustration that appeals to the reader. **It should also contain the name of the report, the person or people involved in the group**,the course code and the date of production (the due date is best).

2. Situation (The Problem)
The situation sets the stage and informs the reader about what is being solved and why you are doing the report/project. It may state the identified needs and problems of the project at hand. Describe the problem with all relevant information available as guidelines and/or rules.

3 . Research & Design description
The research is a **gathering of all the information** found on the product about to be built. The research should include as much information as possible on the history of the product, the use of the product the physics involved in order to make this product work and the pricing of the real product. You are allowed to use images as visual aid in your research, but copy pasting any article found on the Internet or any other means of resource will not be evaluated for marks.

The design description is an **in-depth account of the process** used in the design and fabrication of the product. The sentences in each paragraph should be kept short and to the point. It describes the route used to determine the solution to the design challenge. Include references to your research. Make sure your description is clear and precise, so that if need be someone else could build your article. Don’t just give a sequence of how you assembled the artifact.

4. Materials
List all the materials, sizes and costs (if applicable) used in the fabrication of the final product. As much detail as possible should be given.

5. Drawings or Illustrations
Include all drawings or illustrations that were used in the development and fabrication of the project. This includes thumbnail sketches, rough sketches, technical drawings, illustrations, and/or photographs of models or products. Ensure all drawings are properly labeled and descriptive.

6. Conclusion
Describe what you learned in this design challenge. Include the results of testing solutions. Include a description on how each of the design criteria was met (or not). Why did it succeed? Why did it fail? Describe possible improvements or modifications for future work. Include what would you would not do next time? Suggest other users or situations that may benefit from your research and/or testing.

 =3-D Modeling= 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of object (either inanimate or living) via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering or used in a computer simulation of physical phenomena. The 3D model allows designers to problem-solve, share their ideas in a more tangible way with other people, and lastly, to export to 3D printers - if the materials allow it.

All 3D programs share the same basic components in that they have to represent 3D space in 2 dimensions. The solution is to use projective geometry which transforms shape vectors (lines, curves, spheres, boxes etc...) into a 2D line which can be displayed on the screen. These lines are often colour-coded, or displayed with alpha-dissolves (same colour, but made more faintly) to make it easier to see the dimensions on the screen for the designer.

Some 3D modeling programs include Sketchup, form-Z, Maya, 3DS Max, Blender, Lightwave, Modo, solidThinking, SolidWorks and many more.

We will be using [|Sketchup]for our 3D modeling. Not only is it free, but it has quite a powerful set of tools available to us that are fairly intuitive.

Please visit my Sketchup tutorial page for detail basics on how to use Sketchup software. media type="custom" key="24426098"

To supplement our classroom instruction I encourage you to check out Google's free video series which will get you from beginner to power-user in no time.

media type="custom" key="24394608"

The whole series can be found here:

[]



Some tricks to using Sketchup

 * Always ensure that you're using lines that follow the x, y, and z axes. The lines will flash green, red or blue if you're drawing correctly down one of these axes.
 * When possible, draw a guide before drawing a line/shape. It will ensure you get the correct distance. You can draw a guide by using the tape measure tool (toggled with control to get the 'plus' symbol), or the protractor tool for an angle (toggled with control once you've decided the angle reference).
 * Middle-mouse (MMB) click orbits your project, while holding shift+MMB allows you to pan your sheet in the current view (slide it around).
 * Spacebar is the universal 'get out of here' shortcut (much like the Esc. key is in AutoCAD). It allows you to select lines or deselct lines.
 * While selecting, holding Shift down allows for multiple selections.
 * Dragging a marquee box to the right functions just like in AutoCAD (makes a selection if the selection is completely within the marquee). Dragging a marquee box to the left selects anything that falls even a little bit within the marquee (again, just like in AutoCAD).
 * In complex objects - ensure your layers are open and you're putting each new element on a new layer. E.g. - in a house drawing, the walls may be in one layer, while the floor is on another, and the roof on yet another.
 * When push/pulling an object - toggle a new face by hitting Control before starting your push/pull. This creates a new face and doesn't leave a mess later on.
 * Work in the extended toolbar mode and learn your shortcuts!!!!

[|Common errors and how to avoid them (pdf warning)]

 =Assignment #9 - Sketchup - cloning an object.=

You have access to this file: Note: You may use my file to take careful measurements and refer to various textures/shapes, but you are to create your own and to submit that. Turning in my file as yours is plagiarism and will result in a mark of zero, a note on your academic record, and a call home.

__Evaluation__
To submit:
 * Sketchup file
 * An Exported 2D graphic picture (png) of roughly the same angle as my picture above
 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Sketchup File** || Logical steps are followed and resulting design is exemplary. || Generally all steps are followed, there are small errors in lines. || Generally the product is as it should be, though there are enough errors in replication that final product is flawed. || Large errors in generation of the design. ||
 * **Picture File** || Logical steps are followed and resulting design is exemplary. || Generally all steps are followed, there are small errors in orientation. || Generally the product is similar, but either the angle, or material/colour choices are poor. || There are large discrepancies in either shape, textures, or 2D angle. ||
 * **Use of Time** || Used time well during each class period (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||
 * **Product** || Final product is exemplary || Final product is superior, with some minor flaws || Final product is presentable, but contains some flaws || Final product is inferior ||

 =Assignment # 10 - Robot Challenge=

You are to produce a robot that has a purpose to it (e.g. Designed to be a vacuum robot, or a dishwashing robot etc...). The robot must first be sketched by hand (isometric), then drawn 3 dimensionally to scale in Sketchup. The robot is to be submitted in the handin folder when done.

__Evaluation__
To submit:
 * Isometric sketch
 * Sketchup file
 * An Exported 2D graphic picture (png) of the robot.
 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Isometric Sketch** || The purpose is immediately clear, there are pullouts and descriptions of item functionality || Generally the purpose is clear, there are many pullouts and descriptions of item functionality but some areas are unclear || The purpose is somewhat clear, some areas are unclear due to lack of pullouts or explanation || There is no obvious purpose. Many areas are unclear due to lack of pullouts or explanation ||
 * **Sketchup File** || Logical steps are followed and resulting design is exemplary. || Generally all steps are followed, there are small errors in lines. || Generally the product is as it should be, though there are enough errors in replication that final product is flawed. || Large errors in generation of the design. ||
 * **Use of Time** || Used time well during each class period (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||
 * **Product** || Final product is exemplary || Final product is superior, with some minor flaws || Final product is presentable, but contains some flaws || Final product is inferior ||