Mindworks
References
Machine Design
Machine Shop
Math Modeling
Instrumentation
ENGR/ECE VAST
ENGR220 Dynamics
ME201/401 Comp
ME301 Solidworks
ME322 Thermo
ME345 HTx
ME421 CATIA
ME433 Engines
ME490 Adv Sldwks
Capstone Design
ME529 Combustion

ME 301 - Computer Aided Design

Course Resources Topic References Past Projects

Solid modeling is one of the core languages of design. It allows for enhanced communication within the design team, and between clients and customers. Designers have an ever increasing set of tools that use solid models for analysis, visualization, prototyping, and machining. On this page you will find several solid modeling resources developed by University of Idaho students.

This course introduces you to concepts and tools for producing solid models and engineering drawing packages that can be efficiently manufactured in an engineering shop.  The knowledge, skills, and perspectives you develop will greatly enhance your senior design experience and will be highly marketable in the engineering workplace, including summer internships.

Pre-Class Preparation

Spring 2023 / Fall 2023

In-Class Activity

----------------------------
S1 (JEB 331)
S2 (JEB 321)
-----------------------------

(Room changes highlighted)

Post-Class Assignment

   ---------------------------------
Due the next class day unless otherwise noted:

  • HW due on a Tuesday is due BEFORE class
  • HW due on a Thursday is due by MIDNIGHT

Day 1: Jan 12 / Aug 22

Meet in JEB 331/321

 

  • HW1
    1a: Student Survey
    1b: Quick Reference Log 
    1c: Skills Self-Assessment

    HW1a & 1b - Upload completed assignment to the shared folder you received from your instructor called  "01_Submitted". Name your file "HW1_FirstName LastName".
    • For HW1b, read through the ENGINEERING DRAWING PRACTICES packet and fill out the Quick Reference Log about the packet.
    • Okay to copy-paste images and type notes.

    HW1c - Perform a
    Self-Assessment of your pre-course Engineering Graphics Skills. Select the option to email yourself a copy so you can compare your progress at the end of the semester.

Day 2: Jan 17 / Aug 24
(Canvas Quiz on your phone/tablet/laptop)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

BRING TO CLASS:  1) a straight-edge, 2) a pencil, 3) a compass, and 4) a copy of the TECHNICAL DRAWING WORKSHOP handout (HW2). Your work product will lose points without them.

Meet in EP 103

  • Quiz 1
  • Debrief quiz
  • Pre-CAD sketching tips
    • Identify order of feature creation steps (bulleted list)
    • Identify a sketch plane
    • Sketch 2D profile
    • Explain briefly the 3D feature
    • Repeat for each major feature
  • Pre-CAD sketching activity
  • TECHNICAL DRAWING WORKSHOP
    PRINT OUT THIS HANDOUT
    AND BRING IT TO CLASS ALONG WITH YOUR STRAIGHT-EDGE, PENCIL, AND COMPASS

 

  • HW2 - Technical Drawing Workshop

    Finish sheets from technical drawing workshop, and  identify, describe, and illustrate three hand sketching principles or techniques that you may have struggled with but which added significant value to your finished product in this assignment.

    Refer to the assignment checksheet in completing your work and make sure it is submitted as your assignment cover page. The mentors will use these in grading your work on each assignment. 

Day 3: Jan 19 / Aug 29
(Canvas Quiz on your phone/tablet/laptop)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

  • VIDEO:
    Introduction to Drawings (.wmv) (.mp4) (.avi)
    Note: we'll use the template shown in the Block Table Drawing Package rather than the one in the video (more on Day 7); and we'll typically make individual part and assembly drawings rather than combining them in one SolidWorks file (notice the sheets in the Block Table Drawing Package are all "Sheet 1 of 1" -- they were merged as pdf's). 

  • Block Table Drawing Package

  • STUDY QUESTIONS
    (for possible use on Quiz)

Meet in EP 103

  • Quiz 2
  • Debrief quiz
  • Checksheet Grading Exercise
  • Design layout/sketching tips
    • Select an appropriate front view
    • Place on paper allowing for possible top and side views (using 3rd angle projection which is the US drawing standard)
    • Specify origin & axes
    • Use construction lines
      to get placement and scale correct on paper
    • If needed, show center locations and centerlines
    • Deploy line weights
      (for contrast)
    • Enhance with labeled dimensions
  • Sketching exercise
  • Sketch peer review/discussion

 

  • HW3 - Pre-CAD and Technical Drawings Assignment checksheet
    • Select an object that requires at least 3 primary features (such as a water bottle, stapler or table).
    • Create a pre-CAD plan including a chronological list of all feature and 2D sketch details for the primary features.
    • Create a dimensioned drawing that includes standard views and an isometric.
    • Use the ME Dept. Drawing Template with grid.
    • Apply best practices learned in class.
    • Follow the assignment checksheet.

Don't forget to include the checksheet as your cover page.

Day 4: Jan 24 / Aug 31 (Canvas Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

Meet in JEB 331/321

 

  • HW4 - Lesson 1: Parts Assignment checksheet

    Complete a thoughtful tutorial log on SW Tutorial Lesson 1: Parts. Additionally, include at least 5-6 visually-descriptive screen captures of the creation process for the part you made in Lesson 1, and provide meaningful captions (1-2 sentences) to explain the content of each image. Make your pages organized and use an appropriate number of images per page (i.e., readable and not wasteful).

Day 5: Jan 26 / Sep 5 (Canvas Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

Meet in JEB 331/321

 

  1. Include a sketch of your I-beam that shows all sketch relations and dimensions.  This should be fully defined.
  2. Include a snip that shows your part information in the summary tab (author, assignment number in keywords field, assignment notes in comments field).
  3. Extrude your I-beam to a 3-inch section.  Experiment with different material properties.  Include a snip of your extruded part along with an annotated design tree.
  4. Use SolidWorks to compute the mass, volume, center of mass, and moment of inertia about two different axes. Include a snip of the results.
  5. Identify and describe in detail the two most important things you learned about SolidWorks through this assignment. 
  6. Make sure the assignment checksheet is included as the cover page for your assignment.

Day 6: Jan 31 / Sep 7 (Canvas Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

Meet in JEB 331/321

 

  • HW6 - Initials Assignment checksheet

    Have your current pre-CAD progress available for review during the next class.

    Final version HW6 (Parts A-C) due Day 9 (9/19)
    You will receive scores for each:
    HW6 (Part A) - your pre-CAD planning (including sketch plane, origin, key constraints, and creation steps),
    HW6 (Part B) - your SW process documentation, and
    HW6 (Part C) - your final products (fully defined SW sketch w/minimum dimensions, solid model, and engineering drawing).

    Refer to the ENGINEERING DRAWING PRACTICES packet for best dimensioning practices in dimensioning your engineering drawing.

    Use the initials assignment checksheet (page 1 of the Assignment Checksheet link above) as your assignment cover page. Be sure to clearly address each item in your report.

    A pdf scan of your pre-CAD plan (Part 6a) and a doc/docx of your checksheet (w/ your name) is due in your "01_Submitted" folder before class on Tuesday Day 7 (9/12)

Day 7: Feb 2 / Sep 12 (no quiz)

Submit HW6A (1st submission) to your "01_Submitted" folder.

  • Name your file HW6A_Firstname_Lastname
  • You will resubmit this (or an improved revision) in your final HW6 submission.

Meet in JEB 331/321

 

 

Day 8: Feb 7 / Sep 14 (Canvas Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

BRING TO CLASS: ALL work-in-progress on the initials assignment (including electronic SW files).

Meet in JEB 331/321

HW6 (parts a-c)
Due Sept 19 (Day 9)

Due next class:

  • Submit all three parts together in your final submission as a single .doc file.

  • If you are resubmitting Part A, include both versions in your submission labeled at the top as "1st Submission" and "2nd Submission".

  • Extra credit can be submitted up until midnight Day 15 (Oct 10)

    Filename: HW6EC_firstname_lastname

Day 9: Feb 9 / Sep 19 (Canvas Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Remember to Submit Initials assignment (Parts 6a-6c)
  • Quiz 7
  • Debrief quiz
  • Demo: Hole Wizard (PDF, sldprt)
  • Lab
    • Use the Hole Wizard to create the part defined in the engineering drawing given in HW7 (see third column for requirements)
  • VIDEO Supplements

NOTE: for above and beyond points, include the minimum number of section views to showcase the interior cross section of all 6 holes.

Day 10: Feb 14 / Sep 21 (Canvas Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

  • MySolidWorks CSWA Prep Videos
    33 - Editing Parts
    37 - Part Configurations

  • STUDY QUESTIONS
    (for possible use on Quiz)

 

Meet in JEB 331/321

Create a customized tool that utilizes at least one loft and at least one sweep.

You may either:

  • modify the result of the Loft and Sweep tutorial from class,

    -or-
  • create something new (such as another poker, a pigtail steak flipper, or a chipping hammer). 

NOTE 1:
Your finished model should utilize customized surface appearances, reference planes, and an expanded as well as annotated (i.e., renamed) design tree.

NOTE 2:
Be sure to use the ME drawing template found in the zip file on Mindworks Day 6. Fill in important linked cells of the title block (DESCRIPTION, FILENAME/PART NUMBER), and the BOM table (PART #, MATERIAL) by editing the part's "File Properties" Summary tab (Author) and Custom tab (Description, Material, CheckedBy, DrawnBy, Date, Revision, Quantity). Fill in linked cells of the revisions table  and revisions table (DRAWN BY, CHECKED BY, DATE)  Variable names are case-sensitive.

Your engineering drawing of your tool should show at least 3 key dimensions.

Day 11: Feb 16 / Sep 26 (Handout Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

Meet in EP 103

 

 

Feb 21 / Sep 28: Day 12 (Canvas Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

  • MySolidWorks CSWA Prep Videos
    21 - Linear Pattern
    22 - Circular Pattern

  • STUDY QUESTIONS
    (for possible use on Quiz)

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Quiz 10
  • Debrief quiz
  • Lab
    • Work on revolve and pattern features assignment
  • VIDEO Supplements

 

Feb 23 / Oct 3: Day 13 (Canvas Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

  • MySolidWorks CSWA Prep Videos
    36 - Global Variables & Eqns
    39 - Part Design Tables

  • STUDY QUESTIONS
    (for possible use on Quiz)

Bring questions about the Revolve and Pattern Features Assignment.

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Quiz 11
  • Debrief Quiz
  • Demo: Global Variables (PDF)
  • Lab
    • SW Tutorial - Design Tables
      (Demonstrate to Mentor for points)
    • Design Table .sldprt file
    • Consulting on Revolve and Pattern Assignment
       
  • Day 14 Recommendation: bring colored writing instruments:
    • (e.g., highlighters/pencils/pens)
  
Feb 28 / Oct 5: Day 14 (no quiz)

Meet in EP 103

  • Collect Revolve and Pattern assignment
  • Spring 2023 Part Mini-Project

  • Pre-CAD Tips
    • (Recommended but Optional) Start your Pre-CAD directly on the 11x17 drawing handout provided in class.

 

Mar 2 / Oct 10: Day 15 (no quiz)

  • Bring your design layout sketch and your pre-CAD plan
  • Bring your electronic model
  • Bring any questions you have

    •  

Meet in JEB 331/321

 

  • Part Mini-Project Consulting
  

Mar 7 / Oct 12: Day 16 (no quiz)

  • Bring your electronic model
  • Bring your latest part drawing
  • Bring your latest project documentation
  • Bring any questions you have

 

Meet in JEB 331/321

 MP1 Part Mini-Project
Due Mar 9 (Day 17)

Mar 9  / Oct 17: Day 17 (Canvas Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

  • MySolidWorks CSWA Prep Videos
    26 - Bottom-Up Assembly
    27 - Standard Mates

  • STUDY QUESTIONS
    (for possible use on Quiz)

Meet in JEB 331/321

MP2 - Stirling Engine Mini-Project Assignment checksheet
Due Mar 30 (Day 21)

Preliminary check due in class Day 19.

PDF drawing packet due 8 AM Day 21 for team assignment final review.

Word document and final file submissions due Friday.
Mar 13-17: Spring Break No Class  

Mar 21 / Oct 19: Day 18 (Canvas Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

  • MySolidWorks CSWA Prep Videos
    28 - Move & Rotate Components

  • STUDY QUESTIONS
    (for possible use on Quiz)

Meet in JEB 331/321

  

Mar 23 / Oct 24: Day 19 (Canvas Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

  • MySolidWorks CSWA Prep Videos
    29 - Exploded Views
    38 - Assembly Configurations

  • STUDY QUESTIONS
    (for possible use on Quiz)

Bring your Stirling Engine model to class.  Be prepared to show your file structure on the junior drive. 

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Quiz 14
  • Debrief Quiz
  • Demo:
  • VIDEO Supplements
    • Appearances (2 min)
    • Assembly Drawings (5 min)
      Video Revision Note: We now prefer making separate drawing files for each part and assembly and then combining pdfs into a drawing package.
  • Consulting on Stirling Engine Project
  • TA/Instructor initial work-in-progress
Mar 28 / Oct 26: Day 20 (Handout Quiz)

Study Material for Quiz
(review resources below)

Bring your Stirling Engine model and engineering drawings to class. 

Meet in JEB 331/321

Stirling Engine Mini-Project
Submit your pdf drawing package
by 8 AM.
The rest is due Thursday.

Part files for HW10:
  - Stand
  - Welded Corner
Mar 30 / Oct 31: Day 21

Meet in TLC 122

  
Apr 4 / Nov 2: Day 22

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Team Assignments
  • Identify Project Recorder (Person who maintains work assignments on Spreadsheet)
  • Make Preliminary Part modeling assignments
  • Select creative team name

Due on Shared Drive by Next Class

  • Spreadsheet with preliminary assignments for members
    (example from past team)
    Example spreadsheet
  • Team folder on shared drive
  • Completed part by each team member stored on shared drive, ready to show in the class
Apr 6 / Nov 7: Day 23

Meet in JEB 331/321

Engine Resources:

Project Resources:

  • Shared drive review
  • Spreadsheet review
  • Q/A on Legacy Drawings
  • Modify part assignments based on new insights on part complexity after initial part modeling.
  • Project Work & Consulting

Due on Shared Drive by Next Class

  • Updated spreadsheet of work completed and work in-progress
  • 25% of parts modeled with part properties assigned
Apr 11 / Nov 9: Day 24

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Shared drive review
  • Spreadsheet review
  • Q/A on Legacy Drawings
  • Q/A on Part Models
  • Team Dynamic Check
  • Project Work & Consulting

Due on Shared Drive by Next Class

  • Updated spreadsheet of work completed and work in-progress
  • 50% of parts modeled with part properties assigned
  • Sub-assemblies identified
Apr 13 / Nov 14: Day 25

Meet in JEB 331/321

Due on Shared Drive by Next Class

  • Updated spreadsheet of work completed and work in-progress
  • 100% of parts modeled with part properties assigned
  • 50% parts assembled
  • Establish team drawing template
Apr 18 / Nov 16: Day 26

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Assembly Drawing Tips
  • HW11 Expectations
  • Shared drive review
  • Spreadsheet review
  • Review of assemblies
  • Q/A on Deliverables
  • Project Work & Consulting

HW11 - INDIVIDUAL HMWK Assignment checksheet
(Bring rough draft hard copy to next class)
(Final draft Due 4/25, Day 28)

EACH MEMBER of the team needs to submit one non-trivial mechanical drawing of one of their parts using the ME template with a customized title block adopted by your team.

Guidelines for Your Team's Mechanical Drawings

Graded Drawing Examples

Due on Shared Drive by Next Class:

  • Updated spreadsheet of work completed and work in-progress
  • 100% parts assembled
  • 25-50% of part and assembly drawings complete
  • Prepare for mid-project
    Shared drive review
    (w/project recorders)
Nov 20-24: Thanksgiving Break No Class  
Apr 20: Day 27a

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Peer-review of HW11 (bring hardcopy for markup)
  • Mid-Project Shared drive review
  • Review of assemblies
  • Project Work & Consulting

Due on Shared Drive by Next Class

  • Updated spreadsheet of work completed and work in-progress
Apr 25: Day 27b

Meet in JEB 331/321

Due on Shared Drive by Next Class

  • Updated spreadsheet of work completed and work in-progress
  • 75% of part and assembly drawings complete
  • Initial rendering and animation work
Nov 28: Day 27

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Peer-review of HW11 (bring hardcopy for markup)
  • Mid-Project Shared drive review
  • Review of assemblies
  • Project Work & Consulting
  
Apr 27 / Dec 5: Day 28

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Review of drawings
  • Project Work & Consulting

Due on Shared Drive by Next Class

  • 90% of part and assembly drawings completed

  • Examples of part rendering work stored on the shared drive

  • Continued animation work

May 2 : Day 29

  • Have soft copies available of example sub-assembly drawings and part drawings

  • Have soft copies of portfolio items available

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Review of drawings
  • Organization/contents of digital folders
  • Project Work & Consulting
 Assemble Project Binder

  • 100% of part and assembly drawings completed

  • Next generation renders and continuing animation work

May 4: Day 30

  • Prepare team digital portfolio folder

Meet in JEB 331/321

  • Review of project portfolios
  • Project Work & Consulting

Due in class on 5/4
(Day 31)

  • Individually Complete Post-Course Self-Assessment of Engineering Graphics Skills  
    Recall: if you selected the option to email yourself a copy of your Pre-Course Evaluation, you can look back at where you were at the start of the semester for comparison.
  • Individually Complete
    Team Citizenship Form
  • Final File Organization on
    Shared Drive (spreadsheet, part/assembly/drawings files,
    PDF of entire package portfolio folder w/renders & animations)
  • Approved Final Portfolio
    • Title Page
    • Thoughtful Dividers
    • Assembly Drawings
    • Part Drawings
    • Animation Storyboards
    • Lessons Learned