The Girls of Steel

CAD Blog Entry for 12-12-12

Hello All!

We are sorry that this blog hasn’t been active in a few weeks – Tumblr is giving us issues, as usual. But we’re back!… with a little something different.  George and I have been running into problems with the tutorials referencing libraries we can’t access, so we decided instead to work on CADing a small project of his – a tiny steam powered engine called the Jingle Bell Motor. Here’s what it’s going to be when we finish: http://www.machinistblog.com/free-plans-jingle-bell-steam-engine/

Now for the CAD!

We began by drawing the base plate. For this, we utilized the sketch tool, the rectangle tool, the circle tool, the concentric relation, the extrude tool, and the extrude cut tool, along with the smart dimension tool (AKA the best tool ever).

Next, we made a folder to store all the parts for this project so that we can eventually make an assembly.

We subsequently began on the flywheel. This is the thing that gets turned by the piston.  To create this part, we used the circle tool, smart dimensions tool, concentric relation, and the extrude cut tool.

Next on the list were the crank rods (x2, but because of the power of assemblies, we only had to make 1), the crank plate, and the brass piston – all using the same tools mentioned above but, of course, in different orders.

That’s it for this week! Check back 2 Wednesdays from now for another post!

-Shana

The Girls of Steel have begun to sell Light Bulbs! Huzzah!

Days till Kickoff