Posted: June 5th, 2015

COMPUTER MODELLING FOR PRODUCT DESIGN

GRAP 2029 COMPUTER MODELLING FOR PRODUCT DESIGN (2015)
ASSIGNMENT 3 BRIEF
PAGE 1
Grap 2029 (2015)
Assignment 3 – Complex Form Creation and Communication (Mouse Re-Design)
(40% of Course Grade)
Due Date: 26th June, 2015, 10:00pm (via Turnitin)
Assignment Outline
Students successfully completing this assignment will address the following course objectives; Develop CAD knowledge and practice to enable the creation of images, and animations for the communication of design proposals and develop knowledge and skill using advanced modelling principles and techniques for the creation of complex three dimensional forms in CAD environments.
Further develop 3D parametric modeling and high quality computer generated (CG) form generation skills. Further develop CG Rendering skills. Develop basic animation skills. Generate data suitable for prototyping/3D printing.
Project Overview
Using Solidworks Educational, students will re-design the mouse created in the previous assignment. The emphasis will be placed on creating a parametric model with high quality ‘organic’ surfaces. Students are dissuaded from creating ‘linear’ designs (this will be explained further upon the issuing of the assignment in week 11).
Students will create their re-designed mouse based around the layout of components used in the mouse modelled in Assignment 2. The idea is to not modify the layout and basic construction methods used in the original mouse (Logitech Mouse from Assignment 2).
Students will build models, import photographs and drawings as required which will serve as a base for 3D modelling of their ‘re-designed’ mouse.
After creating an assembly model in Solidworks, students will create a series of CG Computer Generated (CG) renderings of their finished mouse. Students will use these CG renderings to create a presentation board for the product. Students may use Keyshot or Solidworks to generate their CG renderings.
Students will use the assembly model of their re-designed mouse to create a short animation using the animation creation tools in Solidworks or Keyshot. As an option, students may prefer to generate an animation for their Lego Man from Assignment 1 – discuss your preference with staff.
Finally, students will use their Solidworks data to export a file(s) which will be suitable for use with the 3D printing, so that real life parts can be manufactured (real parts are not required to be built in this assignment, only the creation of appropriate data) from an vendor such as Shapeways/Ponoko.
All 3D files are to be generated in SolidWorks Educational, or compatible SolidWorks software (Be sure to use the same version of Solidworks that is available in the CAD pools).
Software used to create the product ‘presentation board’ is up to the student (I would suggest Photoshop/Illustrator/Powerpoint or similar). We do not require ‘native’ files for the ‘presentation board’ only a high resolution (300dpi) RGB JPEG file (size for A3 printing).
GRAP 2029 COMPUTER MODELLING FOR PRODUCT DESIGN (2015)
ASSIGNMENT 3 BRIEF
PAGE 2
Project Plan
Students will generate dimensionally accurate 3D parametric models for a re-designed Mouse. The emphasis for the re-designed mouse is on generating a high quality ‘organic’ shape.
All students will use the ‘standard’ mouses ‘technical package’ created in Assignment 2 to ensure parity in terms of project difficulty. Students will use the layout of the internal components from the Assignment 2s ‘standard’ mouse as a framework around which to design a unique, organically shaped new version. Keeping the existing component layout as it is, as well as the method used to house the components (something similar to the three part housing held together with a screw/snap-fits).
Using this framework, students will ‘style’ their own version of a high quality, ‘organic’ housing to suit. As with Assignment 2, all components that make up the mouse are required to be modelled (obviously you can recycle the technical package parts from your Assignment 2 model). Students will end up with a selection of individual part files and combine these to create a final assembly.
NOTE: You will need to use a soft model/sketches of your mouse design for reference as you work through your project. Please have a model (using foam/clay or other soft-modelling medium) and sketches ready by the tutorial session in week 11. Ensure you show the design you intend to model for the project checked by course staff prior to beginning the project to ensure your design meets requirements of the brief. Ensure you show images of your model/sketches of your design on your blog (have photos/images uploaded to your blog by 5pm, 27th May, 2013).
Students are free to create a new ‘scroll wheel’ component if desired (a re-styled scroll wheel may suit the overall re-design better).
Students may use any parametric modelling technique available to them in Solidworks; however the emphasis is on creating a high quality parametric model (particularly high surface quality).
 Mouse Modelling. Complete a high quality (particularly surface quality) and detailed Solidworks model of your mouse re-design. Students will submit all Solidworks parts/sub-assemblies/assemblies and decals relating to their final mouse.
 Photorealistic Renderings. The mouse assembly generated will be used to generate photorealistic CG renderings using Solidworks add-in, Photoview360 or Keyshot. Students will create as many views as required to show the product, this could include elevation views, 3Q hero views and exploded views. Students will then combine the generated images in a graphic design software package to create a simple presentation board for the product. Students will submit 6 (at least) 1920 pixels X 1080 pixels photorealistic renderings of their finished mouse as well as the presentation board .
 Animation. The assembly model will be used to create a simple and short CG animation using the animation tools in Solidworks or Keyshot. The animation could be of your mouse ‘exploding’ or assembling, a turntable animation, a walk-through animation or demonstrating the components inside of your mouse working. Keep it simple and leave yourself enough time to render a high quality animation. If your blog website allows you to easily upload a video, put your animation there.
As mentioned earlier in this brief, students may prefer to create an animation based on their Lego Man from Assignment 1, the option is OK. Students will submit 1 X 15 second animation set at 720p (1280 pixels X 720 pixels) with a framerate of at least 15 frames per second (use ‘photorealistic’ quality when generating your animation).
3D Print Parts. Your final ‘housing’ parts will be exported and uploaded to a 3D print bureau (such as Shapeways or Ponoko) so that a quote can be obtained for producing a 3D prototype of your final design. Submit a screen capture of the pricing you get back for the components that are unique for your design (obviously the tech pack from the standard mouse does not need to be 3D printed, only the housing parts for your design). Students will upload their mouse parts to obtain pricing. A screen capture showing a summary of the estimated cost for printing the parts will be submitted.
 Blog. Students will keep a concise ‘blog’ which records how the various models were created, problems which arose, key points learnt etc (continue the blog created for Assignment 1 &2). At least one detailed post weekly is expected.
Note: students are not required to buy the standard ‘mouse’ used in the previous assessment, but it will be most beneficial if students have their own for reference, since the project will be graded for accuracy, it would be good to have one on hand when working on the project.
GRAP 2029 COMPUTER MODELLING FOR PRODUCT DESIGN (2015)
ASSIGNMENT 3 BRIEF
PAGE 3
Assessment
Students will submit 1 X ZIP file via the Learnonline site for this course. The ZIP file will contain all relevant files for submission. The Learnonline submission link will be distributed to students in the week of the Assignment being due.
The ZIP file should contain 1 folder for your Solidworks files, 1 folder for your photorealistic CG Renderings, 1 folder for your animation, and 1 folder for your 3D Printing Quote . Folder structure inside of your ZIP file will be similar to below
Your ZIP file will have the same name as your top level folder, which will be labelled in the following format. LASTNAME FIRSTNAME GRAP 2029 ASSIGNMENT 3.ZIP
Use the ‘Pack and Go’ command inside of SolidWorks to ensure you include all parts for submission. Please do not include back up parts and assemblies, we are only interested in looking at your final parts and assemblies, renderings etc.
Give your individual part and assembly files the following format for submission
MCLEAN DANIEL BOTTLE 1.sldprt. (Lastname Firstname Part or Assembly name. sldprt or sldasm)
NOTE: Failure to label Folders/Files correctly will result in a 10% penalty.
The following table list assessable items and assessment value.
Assessable Component
Weighting
 1 X Solidworks Assembly Model of a completed re-designed ‘mouse’ and associated part files. (High Quality Solidworks Part and Assembly models as required. Emphasis will be placed on dimensional accuracy, general model quality but particularly organic surface quality. Note: a model with linear surfaces will not be able to achieve the same grade as one which attempts more difficult organic surfaces.)
45%
 1 X 15 second animation of your product (A simple animation of your product which could show an exploded view, assembly animation, turntable animation etc rendered at high quality and detail)
20%
 Selection of High-Quality Photorealistic Renderings and a one page presentation board of the product. (A selection of views (minimum of 6 views) which describe the product. Combine these views to create a presentation board for your product)
20%
 Rapid Prototype Files as required for your product, plus screen captures of costs to produce your parts using Shapeways/Ponoko. (Generate STL files suitable for uploading to 3D printing vendor and provide screen captures of the pricing for each part)
5%
 Concise blog which documents the bottle model construction. (A compilation of screen captures, notes and sketches describing the processes used to complete the assignment and any troubles you had when completing the project.)
 Images/Sketches of your intended design on your blog by 5pm, 27th May.
10%
Files and Folders named correctly?(Have you correctly named your files and folders? You will be provided with instructions on how to arrange your files prior to submission)
-10%
Dan McLean
May 2015