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Hobbyists, professionals, and enthusiasts looking to get into design have a wide range of software options available—from tools focused on 2D drafting to more advanced programs built for powerful 3D application. However, a larger factor to consider for several of these software’s is the price to entry. With commonly used ones in the industry requiring … Read more
Beginning with the Gear Box Taking on a large-scale project can feel overwhelming at first, but breaking it into smaller parts makes more manageable. By identifying the core systems within the project, you can focus on solving one piece at a time instead of handling everything at once. Here, the starting point was defining two … Read more
For designers and engineers, being introduced to 3D printing evokes the same sense of wonder as a child visiting a theme park. These clever machines empower anyone to create almost any physical shape they can imagine. But every printed design invites an essential question about its practical use. Just because you can 3D print a … Read more
Part 3 – Further Refinements for Version 3 In Part 1, we uncovered the excavator’s base design and finished that iteration as Version 1. In Part 2, we further refined the design by addressing key areas for improvement of overall functionality for Version 2. Version 2 introduces features that made for the excavator to be … Read more
Part 2 – Refinements made for Version 2 Design refinements during the mid stages of a project are a natural and necessary step in advancing toward the final, fully functional outcome. In part 1, we covered the process of designing and completing the first print of the excavator, referred to as Version 1. Although several … Read more
Part 1 – 3D model features in Version 1 The best things about 3D printing is that it lets you build anything you want. You can even recreate childhood play-ground fun in a desk-sized project. One such form of inspiration comes from the sand excavator commonly found on playgrounds, which kids sit upon to scoop … Read more
3D printing has a way of unlocking anyone’s inner designer in the most thrilling, almost child-like way. Watching your ideas literally build themselves into existence is enough to set your imagination on fire. But if you’re stepping into 3D printing for the first time, it’s worth taking a moment to understand a few design basics … Read more
I recall a time when someone had their design rejected because they failed to provide the necessary calculations to demonstrate that it would work. Their defense was, “My experience tells me this works.” The problem with that statement is that it completely misses the core responsibility of engineers and designers: to support their decisions with … Read more
Designing something that makes a meaningful impact in its field—and stays relevant long after its initial application—is always a challenge. Depending on how fast the industry evolves, some forward-thinking ideas can push things ahead, while others might be phased out shortly after they appear. Predicting what technologies will stand the test of time is difficult, … Read more
The range of drafting software available to designers is vast, with each program offering unique features that make it better suited for certain uses over others. Still, despite the variety, most companies tend to stick with an Autodesk subscription—most commonly, AutoCAD. As a result, many designers have become at least somewhat familiar with AutoCAD—if not … Read more