CAD Training
Who: All current FRC AND FTC Students and Mentors
What: FRC and FTC CAD Training
Where: McKinney STEAM Academy
When: Part 3 July 20, Part 4 TBD
Purpose:
Train students on the proper use of CAD to the point where they can independently design a new part, and assemble parts into a system, or review the CAD models proposed by other students
Scope:
Students enrolled in FTC or FRC
OnShape with the FTC parts library and MKcad feature add-ins
All work conducted within MSA’s OnShape “Classroom”
Format:
PART 1 – Online, self-paced learning with OnShape off-the-shelf training modules
PART 2 – INTRODUCTION TO CAD FOR ROBOTICS - In-person, 3-hour classroom-based session led by Instructor, where the only prerequisite is having completed PART 1
PART 3 – INTERMEDIATE SKILLS - In-person, 3-hour classroom-based session led by Instructor, where the prerequisite is having completed PART 2
PART 4 – ADVANCED SKILLS - In-person, 3-hour classroom-based session led by Instructor. This session is open to all students that have completed PART 3, or who have more than 1 “Season” of experience with either OnShape, Fusion360, or SolidWorks (also includes students who have already completed basic CAD training at school)
Outline of Training Proposed:
PART 1 (self-paced, online only) – APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS
Student creates OnShape account using MSA credentials and is added to the Classroom by CAD Administrator (EvG)
Student completes “Introduction to Parametric Feature-Based CAD” (https://learn.onshape.com/courses/introduction-to-parametric-feature-based-cad) to explore the following concepts:
Developing spatial reasoning skills
Understanding parametric workflows
Utilizing feature-based design
Onshape Documents and main interface
Student completes “Navigating Onshape” (https://learn.onshape.com/courses/navigating-onshape) to explore the following topics:Navigating Onshape
Setting preferences
Learning the Onshape interface
Understanding Onshape Documents; and
Accessing help resources
Student completes “Introduction to Sketching” (https://learn.onshape.com/courses/fundamentals-sketching) to explore the following concepts:
Using different methods of starting a sketch
Creating basic sketch entities; and
Working with sketch constraints
Student completes “Part Design Using Part Studios” (https://learn.onshape.com/courses/fundamentals-part-design-using-part-studios) to explore the following concepts:
Creating basic features such as extrude, revolve, sweep, and loft; and
Using common options contained within feature dialogs
Student completes “Multi-Part Part Studios” (https://learn.onshape.com/courses/fundamentals-multi-part-part-studios) to explore the following concepts:
creating multiple parts in a single Part Studio environment
Learn when to use this unique functionality for top-down design, best practices, and equally important, when NOT to use this workflow
Student completes “Onshape Assemblies” (https://learn.onshape.com/courses/fundamentals-onshape-assemblies) to explore the following concepts:
Creating an assembly,
Adding components
Mating components; and
Using best practices when working with assemblies in Onshape
Student completes “Detailed Drawings” (https://learn.onshape.com/courses/fundamentals-detailed-drawings) to explore the following concepts:
Creating a drawing element
Adding views to drawing sheets
Detailing the views with dimensions and annotations
Changing drawing properties; and
Updating the drawing if the model changes
PART 2 – INTRODUCTION TO CAD FOR ROBOTICS (In-person, Instructor-led) – 3 HOURS
General review of PART 1 concepts, and answer any questions or problems students may have with the content
Discussion: How and Why do we use CAD as part of the robot design process
Review of MSA’s OnShape “Classroom” environment
Installation and configuration of the MKCad or FTC Parts Library
Installation and configuration of common feature-scripts for FRC and FTC
Working with the existing CAD libraries
Best practices for labeling features, parts, assemblies, and documents
Proper and effective use of Version control
In-class work assignment – assemble our 2024 Intake from predefined components
After-class work assignment – assemble our 2024 SAT, and prepare suitable drawing package for review
PART 3 – INTERMEDIATE SKILLS (In-person, Instructor-led) – 3 HOURS
Review Part 2 concepts, and answer any questions or problems students may have with the content
When to design a part from scratch vs. when to use predefined parts from the library
Calculating and modeling Center-to-Center distances for belts, chains, and gears
Modeling structural components
Modeling dynamic components
Assigning material properties
Using weight and center-of-gravity calculations
Using lightening patterns and how to save weight
Best practices for modeling fasteners
In-Class work assignment – create an intake plate for our 2024 intake
After-class work assignment – re-design and assemble the V1.5 virtual 4-bar mechanism and prepare suitable drawing package for review
PART 4 – ADVANCED SKILLS (In-person, Instructor-led) – 3 HOURS
Review Part 3 concepts, and answer any questions or problems students may have with the content
Understanding and using dimensional tolerances
Understanding and using advanced features for design reviews
Interference analysis
Section views
Configurations
Understanding the design release process
Understanding and using the Bill of Materials
Reviewing MSA’s design best practices:
Clearance tolerances
Designing for 3D printing
Designing for the CNC Router
Designing for the Lathe
Designing for manual machining
Material dimensional allowances
Material selections
Review MSA’s standard for drawing packages