To: Dr. Alain S. Miatudilla, Sr.

From: Grayson A. Ward

Date: 3/30/2017
Subject: CAD Modeling Writing Assignment

SOLIDWORKS Modeling
Through the mechanical engineering technology program, I have learned many new skills
in CAD programs such as SOLIDWORKS. In this project, I have combined these skills to create
a useful product. I chose to create an assembly of parts that would hold a soldering iron. The
assembly consists of a base, 2 movable arms, and a spring-loaded clamp. When designing this, I
considered the need for fine articulation between the pieces. Therefore, I chose to connect the
pieces using pins and friction as opposed nuts and bolts. Nuts and bolts would have needed to be
threaded post printing also because printed threads are not always reliable. Another consideration
I had when designing this part was the simplicity. While this part is not nearly as complex as it
could be, it will do the intended purpose effectively. I also chose to create this less complex
design because it would be easier to print, resulting in higher quality pieces. This design needs
only a few materials and tools to make. A 3d printer with PLA filament and appropriate slicing
software are the required tools for production. Post production, pieces will need to be sanded to
the appropriate diameter. The pieces were purposefully oversized to allow for this sanding. The
only piece that will need to be added after production is a metal compression spring. This allows
the clamp jaws to firmly grasp the soldering iron.
My ideas for this design were inspired by both soldering helping hands and GoPro. The
multiple joints and fine articulation were features I liked in the helping hands. When soldering, it
is very important to have things positioned with precision. Improper positioning can lead to bad
soldering joints or even injury. This design can be used in conjunction with these helping hands
to further improve precision. I chose to use a design similar to GoPro mounts in the connections
between pieces. This design features one object having two prongs which fill the gaps between
the other objects three-pronged connection. The pieces are then pinned together to secure the
joint. I chose to use this design feature because the joints have a high contact surface area,
maximizing friction. Like the pins, these surfaces can be sanded to create the ideal surface finish
and amount of friction. I also designed these parts based on my prior knowledge of 3d printing.
Personally, I own a 3d printer and have designed many of my own parts before this project. I also
have an understanding of how the FDM 3d printing process works, and designed my parts to be
printed efficiently. The most important ideas that transfer to this project refer to build plate
adhesion and overhang minimization. Parts must have a flat surface that can be mounted to the
build plate. Not using a flat surface to mount to the build plate will result in possible warping and
overall quality reduction. This being said, all of my parts have a flat side which should be
mounted to the printer bed. Parts must also have limited overhangs, or edges with nothing to
support them. While some overhangs will print, the quality will be greatly reduced. Major
overhangs will require printed supports, which are designed and placed by the slicing software.
Despite the usefulness of these overhangs, large surfaces printed on them will be of a lower
quality. The pieces I designed will require few supports, maximizing print quality. Both of these
limitations are present in FDM printing but are noticeably absent in STL printing. This type of
printing is considerably more advanced as it uses light to cure a liquid. No supports or build plate
adhesion are required, therefore very complex models can be printed.
As far as the originality of my design, no other designs do exactly what mine does.
Soldering helping hands are the most similar. They have two articulating alligator clips designed
to hold wires or other electronic devices while the worker holds the iron. My project is designed
to do the opposite. The worker will hold the wires while the project will hold the iron. There are
also stands for soldering irons that keep them in a single position for when the worker is not
using it. My design allows the soldering to articulate, not just rest.
I had the idea while doing some soldering myself. I noticed that I was running out of
hands. My hands would also start to shake and would become less precise. I also started to use
my soldering stand to hold my iron but it was a major inconvenience. I also thought of a way to
provide a solution to my inconvenience using a similar technology to my helping hands.
I also used my knowledge of 3d printing to design the pieces in a way that would be very
easy to print. Each piece was designed with simplicity in mind. All pieces have flat surfaces and
a limited number of fillets. I also did not account for the tolerances between the pins and pin
holes because the pieces will be sanded. When designing, I wanted to allow for many different
types of movement and make the model as flexible as possible. This is why there are two
articulating arms as opposed to one. I also chose to mount the clamp to the arm by using a rod.
This will allow for rotation of the clamp.
I had to do little research to design this product because I chose a simpler approach and
had prior knowledge of 3d printing. All of my parts consist of techniques learned through the
engineering technology program. I avoided using more advanced modeling techniques because
they would have lower quality and were unnecessary. The majority of the research I conducted
was about constructing assemblies and creating animation files. Through this research, I learned
how to add mechanical components such springs and motors. While there will be a spring in my
finished product, I did not include one in my animation because there was not an option for a
compression type spring, only extension and torsion.
This project has served to provide a taste of what a real engineering job will require. I
have been interested in the product design and CAD modeling part of engineering for my career.
From first learning CAD basics in high school to creating a major project in college, my skills
have grown greatly and I want them to continue to grow. The project has also served as practice
for designing my own CAD assemblies. As an active hobbyist, I design parts that I print as well
as download files others have created. When I download these files, I try to analyze them and
sometimes recreate them. I also look for ways to improve upon their design.