Here's how the toy project turned out. I apparently stretched its 3- to 5-year demographic, since it's on the frightening end. Whatev, it was fun, and I want to mess with it in the future and make it more awesome, like a real truck. As an application of what we've learned of the program in two years, it's modeled in Catia, in which I applied kinematics to either end of the axles so that the wheels turn and the axles pivot.

- Spring 2013

Steel Wheel 2013 - Final

We've had our final Steel Wheel Design Challenge presentation, for which my board features the design and concept to which I tailored all my ideas and critiques. Congratulations to those who won and great job to everyone who participated - we had lots of entries and great work. Somewhat classifiable as extracurricular, this project is worth doing on top of everything else, as it entails all the typical design criteria and processes and yet is a different kind of challenge.

- Spring 2013

Ford GT Wheel - Alias Model

Something I've meant to put up here.... Last semester we made a wheel in Alias as our first major assignment with the software, for which I chose to replicate one of the stock wheels of the Ford GT. Later, I had to take the wheel into Catia, where I redid the fillets and was instructed to add a post to the back and scale it to 1:6, as would be done if I were to mount wheels to a real-life model that stood independently of additional supports.

- Fall 2012

Catia Toy

As one of the options we were given, this is a toy project I'm doing for my Catia prof. as something to use all of the skills and knowledge I've acquired from the software. After I've designed it and made the CAD, I'll apply kinematics and create a video. I've been having fun with it and think it's pretty cool so far, especially considering I've never drawn these kinds of things much.

The toy needs to be for a 3- to 5-year-old. I originally settled on making a Formula One Ferrari Transformer and made a quick board outlining my ideas.

Most recently I added a second direction and continued to develop the F1 idea. They're rather advanced- and sinister-looking thus far, which is pretty much from figuring out how to draw these things in the first place and because it was just fun. I can dumb down whatever I choose - a bit - to better fit the appeal of a 3- to 5-year-old.

We've decided I'll run with the sketch to the right of the "Bear Monster Truck" label and actually turning that into a transformer. I actually had the smaller mahogany-colored sketches toward the right from something I was working on for fun a few months ago, and this one sort of snags the proportions and features from those. Now I'll direct that sketch into a final design and get going on the CAD.

- Spring 2013

Steel Wheel 2013 - Second Review

We had our second review today for the Steel Wheel Design Competition. I have updated my ideas and created an idea for a concept based on a clip of the Bumblebee Transformer in action, the QR code for which I've provided on this board.

Part of my feedback was bringing back into play the concept of changing the appearance of the wheel via the inside controls - one of the reviewers actually remembered from last time and brought it up. He also discussed how I have the liberty to be more daring instead of concerning myself about feasibility limits, such as making the wheel appearance transform instead of just a simple movement. So, I should bring the fantasy of the movie into reality. So, how about I try combining both ideas into an awesome wheel. I made a couple starting sketches of this and now need to work on the styling and engineering of this unique wheel design.

- Spring 2013