▲ Figure 1 – Recreated CAD model of a hand drill in SolidWorks
In my second year (Fall 2017) of engineering, I took a mechanical engineering design course in which the main focus was to develop a strong understanding of utilizing computer aided design (CAD) software. In order to practice creating models on a computer, groups of five students disassembled tools and everyday items and recreated them on a CAD software, SolidWorks.
To achieve this, my group members and I were tasked in making precise measurements of different components inside the items and tools, designing each component, and mating them in SolidWorks to recreate each tool that is fully moveable.
After becoming familiar with SolidWorks through these mechanical dissections, we had the opportunity to demonstrate our knowledge of CAD modelling through a Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) Exam. This grants students who pass with a SolidWorks certification at the level of Associate which I was able to pass and obtain.
