Modelling an American Chopper using Solidworks

The following parts were designed this week:

1. Rear Wheel

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g2BWcr9GMlOI2zIc2LqxNkIPrZ79BT60

The initial sketches of the rear wheel were similar to that of the front wheel, with the rim and hub sketch being revolved first, then creating the flange and its webbing and giving the profile to the webbing. The rotor and caliper was also designed in a similar manner. A hollow shaft was also designed for this wheel. Additionally, a sprocket was also designed for the rear wheel, further away from the wheel along the axle axis. The teeth of the sprocket were cut from the solid disc and also a design was cut from the disc. Then the tyre was revolved and the tread pattern was cut in a similar fashion as the front wheel. the different solids were renamed according to the part name and the materials were assigned for the tyre (matte rubber), the rim, sprocket, rotor (chrome) and caliper (car paint).This completes the Rear Wheel.

2. Front Fork

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CgDwLO_1sgiEdg-7FgkXyZkPbiglA74w

Since the model was symmetric in nature, the left side of the part was completed and then mirrored.First the was sketched and revolved, followed by the triangular clamps. After this, the headlight cone was first designed and the resulting solid was then moved by a certain distance using Move/Copy feature. This was done since no plane was available at the position where the cone was required. Then the Revolved Cut was used at the junction of the headlight and cone for aesthetics. Then the handlebar was designed above the top clamp. This was done by making a 3 dimensional curve and sweeping a circular cross section along it. Project Curve option is useful when it comes to makind a line/curve which lies in all 3 dimensions. It does so by taking a projection of two curves in perpendicular planes. The projected curve can also be imagined as an intersection of the extrusion of two 2 dimensional lines perpendicular to each other. Then the Grip and brake lever were designed at the end of the handlebar sweep. The brake cable was also designed using the projected curve option. All the above entities were mirrored to give the final part. All the entities except Cable, Headlight lens and Grip were given a Chrome appearance. The Grip and Cable were given Gloss Rubber appearance. The headlight lens was given an advanced illumination feature which gives it an appearance of a shining object, just like a regular headlight. This finishes the Front Fork.

Conclusion:

The following features were learnt this week:

Sketch: Projected curve

Solid: Revolved cut, Move/Copy body, Illumination Appearance