ENGINEERING TRIPOS PART IIA - 2012/2013

Project GC1- Mechanical CAD/CAM

Leader: Dr P.J.G.Long email: pjgl2

Project Type: Group
Project Category: Design
Prerequisites: Part IA Drawing essential
Timing: Thursdays 9-11am plus afternoons, and Mondays 11-1pm

SUMMARY

This project will give students familiarisation with a number of commercial software packages used at different stages of the design process. With the help of these software packages, students will design, analyse, manufacture and test a mechanical part, and compare the test results with the analysis predictions.

AIMS

• To introduce students to the main classes of computing software used in the design process, namely 2-D Draughting, 3-D Solid and Surface Modelling, Finite Element Analysis, and Computer-aided Manufacture.
• The emphasis of the project is on exploring the complexity, capabilities and limitations of currently-available commercial packages, rather than on learning about the theory behind any particular area of CAD. Any available integration between packages will be explored, so that, if possible, a given item can be modelled, analysed and manufactured.

FORMAT

Students will work in pairs.

ACTIVITIES

1. Solid Modelling: Using ProEngineer
2. Finite Element Analysis: Basic analysis of an object already designed using Abacus
3. Redesign: Improving the performance of the designed object in the light of the analysis (ProEngineer/Abacus)
4. Generating mfg info: Generating and verifying NC data via Powermill
5. Manufacturing: Machining a part of a mould
6. Report writing: Three reports to be written during the course of the project.

ASSESSMENT

Format: Submission Date - Marks

Interim report 1: Thursday 16 May 2013 - 15 marks (10 individual)

Interim report 2: Thursday 23 May 2013 - 20 marks (12 individual)

Final report: 4pm Thursday 6 June 2013 - 45 marks (27 individual)

Last updated: November 2012