Nature of Spatial Thinking; Space, Objects & Operations

We begin our course with an interesting first lecture. In this lecture, we learn about the basic concepts of spatial thinking, and compare it to other types of thinking such as logical, written, and mathematical thinking. We also learn about objects and the necessity of being able to not only represent them for ourselves but to tell others (communicate) about them. In the labs, we will be working in groups where we construct different "representations" of a very simple but an elegant mechanism, a "Gimbal". We first use Lego's online digital tool to build a "virtual" gimbal, and then we use real Legos to actually build a physical "real" gimbal. However, due to the fact that the course is delivered online this year, we will skip the physical lego building part of the labs. We end our lab by comparing the digital representation to the other forms of representations (such as a sketch or a concept map).

Technical Sketching & Dimensioning

This week you'll learn the basics of 'technical' sketching, why it's important and you'll start on how to do it. In the lab, you'll do some simple sketching exercises (admittedly they're a bit boring, but they really are necessary to help you develop the skills you'll need for more complex sketches). You'll also learn to make the sketches quantitative by adding dimensions. You'll also be introduced to the ideas of orthographic projections. Learning these techniques and understanding how and why they work is essential for the rest of the course - you'll be applying all you learn here throughout the course!

Projections, Multi-Views & Isometrics;

This week we will look at the details of how projections work and how they help us represent a 3D object on a 2D piece of paper using a technical and standard multi-View drawings. We describe projectors, projection planes, the 6 standard views and how to generate them, and how to make multiview and projections. We also take a first look at making isometric views, and explore methods of solving multi-View problems.

Pictorial Projections + Intro to OnShape

Two main topics: Pictorial Views, a more detailed look at isometric views and the more general axonometric projections. Second, we introduce OnShape, the 3D modelling and CAD system you will be using for many of labs and for your project.

Perspective views and simple model-making

The theory of perspective views is presented along with basic methods for sketching simple 1-point and 2-point perspective projections. We introduce physical model making, demonstrating its many types and several techniques for quickly making effective, simple models. In the labs and for the homework you will draw, model (in OnShape) and build (with cardboard) a 3D object.

Auxiliary Views, Cross-sections, Degrees of Freedom and SW Mates, Midterm prep;

We will have a first look at Auxiliary views, including the notion of a "True Shape" view.

We describe Cross-Section views, why they're needed and how to sketch them.

SolidWorks mates are introduced as the mechanism for making Assemblies in SolidWorks. We also look in a bit more detail at SolidWorks mates and assemblies.

The main part of the lab will be working with auxiliary views, cross-section views and with SolidWorks assemblies.

Making Things Move

This week we will look at a variety of mechanisms, how they work, classes of mechanisms, and principles of changing one kind of motion into another.
In lab, you'll explore an interesting and very useful mechanism, called a "4-bar linkage". You'll experiment with a 4-bar "simulator" (that you will first tried out in the prelab--you did do this, didn't you?), and then make a real, physical 4-bar linkage and use it to draw some interesting shapes. Finally you'll make a SolidWorks model of one of the linkages you did with the simulator.

Midterm Exam; Introduction to Course Project

OnShape Quiz in first 60 minutes of labs.
This week lecture starts with a question, what is a simple machine? Dr. Robert Woodbury is invited to deliver this talk, where he walks students through different notions of what's beautiful and what's a machine. The lecture ends with an introduction to the final course project in which students are asked to work individually to conceive, design (sketches) and model an Animated Beautiful Machine (ABM) using OnShape. Most of the remaining labs will be spent on various aspects of designing, modelling and making your ABM. We'll describe what beautiful machines are, what their components are, what we expect from your ABMs. We'll describe the process and look at examples, including from recent offerings of the course.

Last week we looked at a variety of mechanisms, how they work, classes of mechanisms, and principles of changing one kind of motion into another. Based on the content we learned last week, the pre-lab assignment for this week is to develop initial sets of ideation sketches for 2 possible ABMs. It is vital that you complete the pre-lab assignment in time for the lab, since the entire focus of the lab is to provide you with feedback on those preliminary sketches and use that to generate a complete set of initial sketches!

OnShape Quiz in Lab: The first part of the lab, about 60 minutes, will be a "quiz" on OnShape. You will be given a sketch of an object with a design challenge and be required to complete the model of the part(s) and assembly.

Solid Modelling Theory; Lab: First set of ABM Sketches

This week we will not have a lecture, as its a holiday. For the labs, it is vital that you and your team partner complete the first set of sketches this week as part of the homework in time for the lab, since the entire focus of the lab is to provide you with feedback on those preliminary sketches and use that to generate a complete set of final sketches!

The main purpose of this week's "lab" time is to provide you feedback on your first complete set of AMT sketches, and for you to work on making the part by part multi-view drawings of your ABM.

Solid Modelling Theory; Digital Model Making in OnShape

Here we look at OnShape advance modelling techniques which you'll need in making your ABM part geometries, and demo their use (medium-level constraints) to make a simple (but complete) ABM. We'll discuss the use of Losts and Sweeps , a method you may find useful for some parts in your ABM.

In lab, you should be completing your SolidWorks parts, and work on assembling them into a complete model of your ABM. If you finish the digital parts, start working on your ABM Assembly.

Physical Model Making (optional slide deck)

We used this week to just catch up and have a look at the milestones for this project!

Final Course Review + Fun

We review the course concepts one last time. Go through the examples for the final exam and finally we end with some performances from our class members.