Solder Expo Conference Notes

Speaker Introduction

• Speaker: Adam Heard, Mentor at Team 973
• SolidWorks experience and FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) mentorship
• Purpose: Cover advanced SolidWorks techniques instead of basic concepts

SolidWorks Learning Resources

• Solid Professor for FRC
  • Only one account per team, share credentials
  • Good programs to start with your team
• Aaron Kay's 40-episode video series (Team 1114)
  • Comprehensive guide from tools to projects
  • Available on YouTube
  • Better for practical design tips than basic tutorials

CAD Goals in FRC

• Objective: Better robot, faster
• You don’t have to strictly follow industry CAD practices
• Focus on competitive advantage rather than rigid design processes
• Detailed models can be useful if aiming for educational or marketing benefits
• Priority should be efficient design

Topics Covered

2D Sketches

• Importance of 2D Sketches

  • Start with 2D sketches for conceptual designs (e.g., robot arm length, elevator height)
  • Faster and more flexible than jumping directly to 3D modeling
  • Example: Dimensioning a single-joint arm in a dimension box

• Practical Applications

  • Use 2D sketches to determine if designs meet functional requirements
  • Make quick assessments (e.g., required arm length to reach a height)

Symmetric and Reflexive Parts

• Symmetric Designs

  • Align designs for symmetry with front, top, and right planes
  • Use mirroring and feature tools for consistent changes
  • Example: Creating a bearing block with plane symmetry

• Multi-Body Parts

  • Huge time saver if used correctly
  • Risky but valuable for managing complex designs
  • Example: Elevator system controlled by a 2D sketch

Pneumatic Cylinder Placement

• Optimization Techniques
  • Use Bimba catalog for cylinder sizes
  • Draw cylinder twice for extended and retracted states
  • Provide viable mounting options within design constraints
  • Example: Placing a cylinder for optimal geometry

Practical Design Example

• Flywheel Shooter
  • Use 2D sketches for flywheel placement and related parts
  • Define functional dimensions (e.g., compression, cylinder size)
  • Determine optimal paths and part placements with quick sketches

Advanced Tools and Techniques

Continuation of Multi-Body Parts

• Creating Assemblies from Multi-Body Parts

  • Use "Save Bodies" feature to create individual parts from a multi-body master part
  • Efficient for frame designs and reduces duplication

• Thoughts on Techniques

  • Faster design process and easier modifications
  • Suitable for frames, not every small component

Q&A Session Highlights

• Version Control

  • Use GrabCAD for CAD file version control and team collaboration
  • Support with group chats or Google Docs for real-time communication

• Team Design Process

  • Emphasize criticality of clear communication and trust within the team
  • Difference between conceptual design and CAD implementation

• Practical Tips

  • Use minimal constraints for efficient sketching and design changes
  • Dimension to centerlines, use infinite length lines for better control
  • Example: Creating a multi-body hex shaft using sketch symmetry

Contact Information

• Reach out for more questions or detailed explanations

Resources

• Solid Professor (solidprofessor.com/FRC)
• Symbio Tech Tools
• YouTube channels: Symbio Tech, Adam Heard (youtube.com/973ramp)