Computer Aided Design Competition
Pre-Lab
Please visit the MakerSpace before this lab and complete their Safety Orientation. Sign up for sessions provided specifically for EG1003 students here If you have already completed the Safety Orientation, please fill out this form to receive credit. There will be a 20 point penalty on the lab report for not completing this training before the beginning of this lab.
Please view the videos that explain this lab prior to performing the exercise to ensure it will be completed in the time allotted. The required videos are listed under this page on the main page of the manual.
Objectives
The experimental objectives of this lab are:
- Understand the simulation capabilities of Fusion 360, a common computer-aided design (CAD) software
- Use the basic of modeling techniques in Revit
- Understand product evaluation and minimal design concepts
Using Fusion 360 to remake a poorly design piece will introduce students to a widely used CAD modeling software and integrate common engineering techniques including concepts of safety factor, static stress, product evaluation, and minimal design. This will lead to an in house competition between all designs to determine which is the most successful and useful of a part. Designing an apartment in Revit will teach the basics of the program and give an introduction to architectural design problems. The apartment designs will be judged in a competition by your recitation professor.
Overview
Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a cloud-based software (remote servers hosted via the internet that is used to process, store, and compute data) Computer Aided Design (CAD)/ Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)/ Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tool that allows engineers to make precisely scaled drawings. These drawings are then turned into 3D models where they can be used to visualize concepts through photorealistic renderings and simulate how a design performs in real-world situations. Fusion 360 is a software very similar to Solidworks in the tasks you can accomplish on it as well as the layout and the tools.
The two tabs that will be used in this experiment are “Model” and “Simulation”.
In the “model” section you will find three important sections; “Sketch”, “Create,” and “Modify”
- Sketch is the most basic tool that can be used in the software. It is used to create the shapes that will act as the bases for all 3D models. When first sketching the shapes they do not have to be true to their dimension or scale, by using the Dimension tool and Geometric Constraints tool the base shape and 3D model can be edited without starting over.
- Create is the tab where the 3D model begins to take shape. Tools such as extrude, cut and sweep, are used to give direction and depth to the 3D model The tools used in this experiment will be the Extrude and Cut tool as well as the Sweep tool. Extrude projects the initial sketch outward to create a model. Cut removes from the model a predetermined shape to the desired depth. The sweep tool creates a 3D model of a predetermined surface (sketch) along a specific path. Although this tool is more efficient than just creating multiple shapes and cutting it can be a bit challenging and so creating the shapes you want and then using a cut for this lab should be sufficient as the shapes used for supports are not more than 4 sided shapes.
- Modify contains fillet which creates a curve from an edge or corner where you can choose the radius of the curve, this can allow for a load better distributed along a surface and increase structural support.
Simulation is a very important tool that can run many different simulations in order to test how a part will do in real-world situations. “Static stress” analyzes the deformation, stress, and safety factor in a model from structural loads and constraints. These assumptions are based off a linear response to stress when the load being applied is known and is constant. Using the results you can determine whether a design will deform excessively or fail (break) from the loads applied. In order to run the tests, conditions need to be set on the model.
- Constraints consist of fixed, pinned, and frictionless support reactions that prevent motion in specific directions. Fixed constraints prevent all motion and displacement of a part, this would mimic a screw holding a part in place. Pinned support prevents the movement in radial, axial, and/or tangential directions but allows a part to rotate. Frictionless constraints prevent movement normal to the surface, this mimics a wall or floor prevent motion perpendicular to the surface.
- Mesh is a boundary along the model made up of polygons where that determine the precision of the test. At every vertex, the test is run and provides the results at each point. The more polygons the more precise but the longer it takes to produce accurate results. (always generate new mesh when a part is altered)
- Load is the force being applied to the model. The force is characterized by the direction, the point of application, and the magnitude being applied.
Safety Factor is a term describing how much stronger the system is than it needs to be for an intended load. It is the measure of how much load an object can sustain before permanent deformation or fracture. A common acceptable safety factor is at least 3, anything below that is unacceptable and will likely lead to the failure of the object.
It is important to have a very brief understanding of the physical properties of certain materials that dictate how they behave under applied loads. Modulus of elasticity is the measure of the stiffness of an object. It is described as the tendency of an object to deform axially when a force is being applied in and that axial direction. Yield strength is the point at which the material begins plastic deformation begins and the shape of the object is permanently deformed. Lastly, the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) is the maximum stress that a material can withstand before finally failing (Bending permanently or breaking).
Autodesk Revit
Autodesk Revit is a building modeling software for architects, landscape architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, and contractors developed by Autodesk. Revit allows users to design buildings and other architectural structures in 3D while allowing for 2D drafting elements. Revit can be used to easily create various home layouts from the floor plan, such as structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) plans, as well as design many other things.
The floor plan is the fundamental layout of any building. It is essentially the skeleton of the structure. It contains all walls, windows, and entrances to the structure and can also be furnished when being used demonstrative purposes. Different walls are used for different purposes. When designing a house, most of the interior walls are not as thick as exterior walls or walls separating public from private locations. Blueprint plans are often not furnished but to account for this architects and designers specify what the specific home in the area represents.
The electrical plan will be a part of the floor plan and demonstrates the positions of all of the light fixtures and electrical appliances such as refrigerators, light switches and wires connecting lights to switches.
Competition Specifications for Fusion 360
- The redesigned part must not contain more than double the volume of the original part.
- For the part to be successful it must test for a safety factor of at least 3.
- You may not alter the applied forces, the fixed point constraints, and you cannot erase/alter the part of the model highlighted in red only add supports. It is important that the thickness of the base is not altered as you are not learning by doing this, and you are altering the proportions of the original part. However, the supports can be altered as that does not take away or add from the base of the model.
- The winning team will receive extra credit toward their lab report grade for this lab.
Competition Specifications for Revit
It is the year 2012 and you have just been contracted by New York City Mayor Bloomberg to solve a problem for many families; today, there are 1.8 million one- and two-person households in our city, but there are only about 1 million studio and one-bedroom apartments. Your task is to create a 350-400 square foot apartment for residents/college students. This apartment should be furnished to a certain extent. It should contain a bathroom, a bed, a kitchen, a table, and a desk. Your job is to create an apartment with sufficient lighting (at least 1 window) and space so that it has all of the bare essentials. You will be tasked with creating:
- A 350-400 square foot floor plan layout of the entire apartment
- An electrical plan for the entire apartment
- (45-60 minutes for this)
- Your recitation professor will be reviewing all apartment designs and award extra credit to the group with the best design.
- The winning team will receive extra credit toward their presentation grade for this lab.
Design Considerations
Fusion 360
- You CANNOT just add a long or large block, you must try to add some intuition.
- Try thinking about bridges, cranes and other real-world systems with structural support?
- What material will help increase the safety factor of the predetermined part?
- Using your knowledge of Lab 2 (Boom Construction) how can you modify these parts to support higher loads.
- Although a specific tool such as sweep is more efficient it is not necessarily the best approach, especially for beginners. Try what you know you can do.
Revit
- How well was space maximized in this very small apartment?
- Was necessary storage added?
- Is the layout coherent and creative?
- Could a human comfortably live here?
List of Fusion and Revit important shortcuts/hotkeys/notes
Fusion 360
- L- line
- R- Rectangle
- C- circle
- D- Dimension
- F- Fillet
Revit
- WT creates windows for multiple views
- WN inserts window
- DR inserts door
- CM inserts components/furniture/appliances
Materials and Equipment
- a lab PC
- Fusion 360
- Revit
| Material | Aluminum | Steel | Copper | Lead | Titanium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modulus of Elasticity (MPa) | 68,900 | 210,000 | 117,500 | 14,000 | 102,810 |
| Yield Strength (MPa) | 275 | 207 | 33.3 | 8.96 | 275.6 |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength | 310 | 345 | 210 | 18 | 344.5 |
What can and can not be edited
The following parts show in red what cannot be modified. The red areas cannot be cut, made longer, or thicker. However, you can add onto them such as make fillets, chamfers or other extrusions (includes lofts or sweeps).
Procedure
Part 1: Fusion 360
- Open the predetermined part under the “Model” tab in the drop-down menu
- Right-click on "bodies" from the outline on the left and find the volume of the part
- Model Components→bodies→right-click bodies→properties
- Record Volume in mm3
- Select the “Model” drop-down menu at the top left and change it to “Simulation”
- Click “Materials” in the top toolbar and record the “study material” being used
- Determine the location the force is being exerted on
- Double click the force arrow and record the force in Newtons
- Right-click "Mesh" then select Generate mesh
- If the mesh is already generated and a popup occurs, just select ok
- Right-click results and select "Solve"
- Sketch a possible solution to the broken part that would add extra support to the face where the force is being applied (At the bottom of the page are the parts with what cannot be modified). Have it approved by the TA
- Go back to the model section and use the tools showed to add the needed support to the original part
- Change the material of the part if needed, as it can increase the safety factor
- Once complete go back to the simulation tab
- Right-click "Mesh" and select "Generate mesh"
- Run results and record safety factor
- Do not be alarmed if the model is bending a lot, the results are exaggerated to gain a better understanding of how the part moves with an applied load
- If the new part does not have a factor of safety of at least 3, repeat steps 8-12
- Test the competition ratio once you have the desired safety factor
(Stop testing after 1 hour and move onto part 2)
Part 2: Revit
- After reading the prompt, sketch your solution and indicate the square footage. Have it approved by a TA
- Open Revit and select 'new project', then the 'architectural template'
- Go to Manage tab, select project units (or type UN), click under format for length and select “Feet and Fractional Inches”
- Ensure the properties tab is open by right-clicking the mouse and hitting properties
- First create the exterior walls selecting 8” thick and 10’ high walls
- You can choose to insert the floor here or at the end. The floor should run along the outside of the exterior walls
- Insert the interior walls (6” thick and 10’ high) for the bathroom and any other if there are
- NOTE: For Steps 7-9 Look at the Powerpoint guide for help needed on walls
- Insert doors and windows in the apartment
- Go to insert→ load families→doors/windows for a wide range of doors and windows. Doors should be 3 feet wide and 7 tall (no specifications for windows)
- Only the specified furniture/appliances from the problem specification must be present in the floor plan including the entire bathroom
- Insert Tab→ Load Family→ Furniture→ Beds/Seating/Storage/Tables
- Insert Tab→Load Family→ Plumbing→ MEP→ Fixtures→ Showers/Lavatories/water closets
- Insert Tab→Load Family→ Plumbing→ MEP→ Fixtures→ Appliances→ Kitchen Unit (insert 25x84 Kitchen Unit, it includes all of the necessary kitchen appliances)
- When loading furniture or appliances go to the structure tab then select component. On the left-hand side of the properties tab, you can select whichever one of the appliances you have downloaded using load families and drag and drop into the model
- Insert a ceiling (GWB on Mtl. Stud) on “level 1” 9’ high, once you have completed furnishing (excluding electrical equipment)
- Duplicate floor plan 1 for the electrical plan by right-clicking the first floor on properties tab then selecting “duplicate view→ duplicate” and rename the duplicate to electrical
- Insert electrical appliances into the apartment (Slide 9 shows exactly how to do this)
- Switches: Load family → Electrical→MEP→ Electrical Power→Terminals→Switch
- Lights: Load Family→ Lighting→ MEP→ Internal→
- For ceiling lights; Go onto ceiling plan level 1. Drag into the screen the lights you want to add onto the ceiling. Then, in the modify tab under "placement", select place on face. Add the ceiling lights to wherever on the ceiling you would like.
- Go back to the electrical plan and scroll down on properties tab to underlay. Change “range: Base level” to “level 1”, “range: Top-level” to “level 2” and “underlay orientation” to “look up”.
- Connect all of the visible lights and switches with a "wire" found in "Electrical" under the "Systems" tab
- Save the file as an Autodesk Revit File (.rvt) file
- Take screenshots of the project and submit the .rvt file on the EG website
Assignment
Individual Lab Report
Follow the lab report guidelines laid out in the page called Specifications for Writing Your Lab Reports in the Technical Communication section of this manual. The following points should be addressed in the appropriate section of the lab report.
- Include both simulations
- Why is CAD software such as Revit, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, or SolidWorks an important tool for engineers?
- Do you think there should be a universal CAD software? What are the pros and cons of this?
- Discuss minimal design. How did having a constrained volume impact your design process?
- How did your redesign compare with other groups? Did the material have an impact on the safety factor and if so, why?
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of your own design
- Why are smaller apartments such as the ones created in this lab becoming more desirable?
- How can you minimize the amount of electricity used in an apartment through architectural design?
Remember: Lab notes must be taken. Experimental details are easily forgotten unless written down. EG1004 Lab Notes Paper can be downloaded and printed from the EG1004 Website. Use the lab notes to write the Procedure section of the lab report. At the end of each lab, a TA will scan the lab notes and upload them to the Lab Documents section of the EG1004 Website. One point of extra credit is awarded if the lab notes are attached at the end of the lab report. Keeping careful notes is an essential component of all scientific practice.
Team PowerPoint Presentation
Follow the presentation guidelines laid out in the page called EG1003 Lab Presentation Format in the Introduction to Technical Presentations section of this manual. When you are preparing your presentation, consider the following points:
- Why is CAD software such as Revit, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, or SolidWorks an important tool for engineers?
- Include the 4 basic CAD drawing views (top side, front, and isometric) of the apartment
- Why are smaller apartments such as the ones created in this lab becoming more desirable?
- How can you minimize the amount of electricity used in an apartment through architectural design?
- How is simulation used in engineering design?
- Explain why you chose the material you did for your redesign of the part
- Discuss minimal design. How did having a constrained volume impact your design process?
- Define factory of safety
- Include the 4 basic CAD drawing views (top side, front, and isometric) of:
- The mechanical part before modifications
- The mechanical part after modifications
- How did your redesign compare with other groups, did material have an impact on the safety factor and if so why?
- Discuss advantages and disadvantages of own design