Cruzan80
Well-known member
On one of the 3d printing/designing threads someone started, I mentioned I teach this to middle schoolers. Several people expressed an interest in the files I have put together, so I decided to make a separate thread, talking specifically about 3D CAD, and more specifically OnShape. Enjoy!
Here is the start of the OnShape Lessons I have designed. As background, one of the first videos I saw about Fusion 360 was from Lars Christianson, which was a three-part series where he walked through making a 90deg conduit junction box.
I felt like it gives a good walkthrough on the basic shapes and tools (rectangles, circles, extrude, dimension, mirror,etc). However, for a variety of reasons, I found myself getting drawn away from Fusion 360 (explanation at the end). One of the other engineering teachers had been using OnShape, and once I saw the advantages, I was hooked (again, explanation at end). This tutorial will give you almost all the tools you will need, besides Sweep (extrude along a path).
Items you will need:
Measuring Tool (We used 6” digital calipers, and were using SAE in the video)
(Optional) Radius Gauges (Used to measure the curves of the edges, can estimate or do without if needed)
90deg Conduit Junction Fill Box (We used the ones from Home Depot, here
OnShape Subscription: https://www.onshape.com/en/products/free
It is free to sign up for an account with OnShape. The only thing with it is that your designs are available to be viewed publicly, but I have never found that to be an issue. Storage is done remotely, as well as all of the CAD calculations, which means just about any device with an internet connection can run it well (including Surface, Chromebooks, etc).
The lesson first started out with a description of Orthographic drawing techniques, and we talked about how to lay out a drawing to mark relevant dimensions. One of the videos I use is on Youtube, but I emphasize which lines we would draw (only where it changes elevation towards or away from the viewer).
If you need more information on how Orthographic drawings work, I would encourage you to watch this video as well.
I start by giving the students an orthographic representation of the box, attached below. This particular file is from a completed model, which I deleted all of the notations about actual sizes. For a design from scratch, you would have to draw something representative yourself. I then explain how to use calipers, especially for the inside measurements.
Students are asked to mark down any and all dimensions they think they need to recreate the box in its entirety. The “back story” I give them is that this is a new part, fresh from our R&D Prototype department. They are in charge of making the 3D model so we can then produce them in bulk for sale later. If it turns out they forgot a needed dimension as they build it, they need to mark it down in a different color (more on the reason why at the end).
Once students have completed their measurements, we start talking about how to make the box, lid and show how it is all assembled. The first video starts with the box, the second details the lid, and the last shows assembly as well as how to create a drawing. The numbers you get may be slightly different than I got, but they should be close.
I walk through things slowly, then at the end, I go back through quickly, simply talking about the numbers and where they go.
Main Box Video
Lid Video
Assembly and Drawings Video
Let me know if I can help out in any other way, guys! I do also have downloaded and linked their (now defunct) 12 week college course. It assumes you have a background in general design, but it walks you thru all kinds of detailed features.
Why OnShape? I first started (like many) with Fusion 360, which has a free hobby version. However, I found it frustrating that I was only able to really work on things using our main desktop, which my wife frequently uses for work. It is a home-built machine, capable of video rendering for work. Our basement “family computer” running onboard graphics and an i5, was struggling. I also did not like how Autodesk seemed to update Fusion fairly regularly, but not give weight to keeping formatting the same, and the features being added seemed random at times. Once I got my work “computer” (Surface Pro), I was having the same issues as our family computer. The other issue for us in Middle School is Autodesk has a hard 13 year old limit. It is not possible for someone to register who is only 12, even with parental or school permission. The software locks out, and won’t let you continue. When I reached out to Autodesk, the only solution they had was the parent should make the account, and then give the password to the student to use. Not the best workaround, especially for an educational setting. BTW, for those without kids, or whose kids have grown up, 7th grade is when they TURN 13! So not much help there. Comparatively, OnShape has been nothing but accommodating, helpful at every turn, and I am even going for a training on Aug 4th to critique their instructors who are trying to help educators learn their program.
Here is the start of the OnShape Lessons I have designed. As background, one of the first videos I saw about Fusion 360 was from Lars Christianson, which was a three-part series where he walked through making a 90deg conduit junction box.
Items you will need:
Measuring Tool (We used 6” digital calipers, and were using SAE in the video)
(Optional) Radius Gauges (Used to measure the curves of the edges, can estimate or do without if needed)
90deg Conduit Junction Fill Box (We used the ones from Home Depot, here
OnShape Subscription: https://www.onshape.com/en/products/free
It is free to sign up for an account with OnShape. The only thing with it is that your designs are available to be viewed publicly, but I have never found that to be an issue. Storage is done remotely, as well as all of the CAD calculations, which means just about any device with an internet connection can run it well (including Surface, Chromebooks, etc).
The lesson first started out with a description of Orthographic drawing techniques, and we talked about how to lay out a drawing to mark relevant dimensions. One of the videos I use is on Youtube, but I emphasize which lines we would draw (only where it changes elevation towards or away from the viewer).
If you need more information on how Orthographic drawings work, I would encourage you to watch this video as well.
I start by giving the students an orthographic representation of the box, attached below. This particular file is from a completed model, which I deleted all of the notations about actual sizes. For a design from scratch, you would have to draw something representative yourself. I then explain how to use calipers, especially for the inside measurements.
Students are asked to mark down any and all dimensions they think they need to recreate the box in its entirety. The “back story” I give them is that this is a new part, fresh from our R&D Prototype department. They are in charge of making the 3D model so we can then produce them in bulk for sale later. If it turns out they forgot a needed dimension as they build it, they need to mark it down in a different color (more on the reason why at the end).
Once students have completed their measurements, we start talking about how to make the box, lid and show how it is all assembled. The first video starts with the box, the second details the lid, and the last shows assembly as well as how to create a drawing. The numbers you get may be slightly different than I got, but they should be close.
I walk through things slowly, then at the end, I go back through quickly, simply talking about the numbers and where they go.
Main Box Video
Lid Video
Assembly and Drawings Video
Let me know if I can help out in any other way, guys! I do also have downloaded and linked their (now defunct) 12 week college course. It assumes you have a background in general design, but it walks you thru all kinds of detailed features.
Why OnShape? I first started (like many) with Fusion 360, which has a free hobby version. However, I found it frustrating that I was only able to really work on things using our main desktop, which my wife frequently uses for work. It is a home-built machine, capable of video rendering for work. Our basement “family computer” running onboard graphics and an i5, was struggling. I also did not like how Autodesk seemed to update Fusion fairly regularly, but not give weight to keeping formatting the same, and the features being added seemed random at times. Once I got my work “computer” (Surface Pro), I was having the same issues as our family computer. The other issue for us in Middle School is Autodesk has a hard 13 year old limit. It is not possible for someone to register who is only 12, even with parental or school permission. The software locks out, and won’t let you continue. When I reached out to Autodesk, the only solution they had was the parent should make the account, and then give the password to the student to use. Not the best workaround, especially for an educational setting. BTW, for those without kids, or whose kids have grown up, 7th grade is when they TURN 13! So not much help there. Comparatively, OnShape has been nothing but accommodating, helpful at every turn, and I am even going for a training on Aug 4th to critique their instructors who are trying to help educators learn their program.