Intro
Chassis Design with SolidWorks by OC RoboticsAccessing SolidWorks
- Login to https://cccd.apporto.com/home, then click
Launch, then open SolidWorks from the desktop
Measurements and drawing
- Use a caliper to take accurate measurements of components
- Create a rough sketch to guide your design
Create initial sketch in Solidworks
Create 2D sketch of Chassis base
1. Open a New Part File
- Go to File → New → select Part
- Click OK
2. Start a New Sketch
- In the Features tab, click Sketch
- Select the Top Plane (ideal for base layout)
- Click Sketch again to enter sketch mode
3. Draw the Rectangle
- Select the rectangle tool and draw rectangle of arbitrary size starting from the origin
- Use Smart Dimension tool
- Click on one horizontal edge → set to 20.5 cm
- Click on one vertical edge → set to 13.0 cm
4. Make sure to save regularly
- Click File → Save As →
chassis_base.SLDPRT
Extrude the Base
- Use Extruded Boss/Base
- Base thickness: 5.5 cm
Use shell tool to remove chassis lid
- Select Shell tool on Features tab
- Set the thickness of walls after hollowing to 0.5 cm
- Select top face as the face to be removed
- The top should be removed, exposing a hollow box
Add mounting holes caster wheel
Goal: Add two mounting holes for the caster on the bottom side of the chassis, each with a 0.4 cm diameter, and spaced 4 cm apart
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Use ViewCube to select the bottom face of the chassis and start a sketch on the bottom face
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Draw two circles and dimension to 0.4 cm
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Set the hole spacing by dimensioning the center of both holes to 4 cm
- Draw a construction line across the middle of the chassis
- Draw a construction line between the 2 hole centers, then select the midpoint of that construction line and make it coincident to the other construction line
- Set the vertical construction line to be ~2 cm from the chassis edge and the sketch should now be fully defined
- Click Features → Extruded Cut and select “Through All”
