Parametric Jaguar Model

[FenixPheonix]

As somewhat-informal CAD head for team 751, I'm currently working on updating our library of parts, including the electronics components. While I've managed to get fairly good models of most of them, I haven't been able to find a decent Jaguar model. I've found one from team 1323, but that has the mounting hole placement messed up. In addition, it's non-parametric, and the mesh is sufficiently messed up that I can't run FeatureWorks on it (I'm using SolidWorks.) The only other one I can find is on 3dvia, and can only be downloaded as .3dxml, which SolidWorks can't import.

So, my question: does anyone have an accurate, parametric model that they'd be willing to let us use? Being correct is the top priority, followed by being parametric. SolidWorks format is preferable, but anything I can use, really. Surfacing is not my greatest skill, and I'm not very confident in my ability to turn out a precise model, which is important because our electronics group wants to start using CAD for the wiring layout. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by FenixPheonix

As somewhat-informal CAD head for team 751, I'm currently working on updating our library of parts, including the electronics components. While I've managed to get fairly good models of most of them, I haven't been able to find a decent Jaguar model. I've found one from team 1323, but that has the mounting hole placement messed up. In addition, it's non-parametric, and the mesh is sufficiently messed up that I can't run FeatureWorks on it (I'm using SolidWorks.) The only other one I can find is on 3dvia, and can only be downloaded as .3dxml, which SolidWorks can't import.

So, my question: does anyone have an accurate, parametric model that they'd be willing to let us use? Being correct is the top priority, followed by being parametric. SolidWorks format is preferable, but anything I can use, really. Surfacing is not my greatest skill, and I'm not very confident in my ability to turn out a precise model, which is important because our electronics group wants to start using CAD for the wiring layout. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Why not just make a "dummy" model?

Take the most important thing about electronic components, the mounting holes and just make a dummy model. 973 has their CAD up and has done a darn good job making dummy models. I believe there is a model of the Jaguars that worked perfectly for us during season.

-RC

[FenixPheonix]

No real reason. It's primarily a completionism thing, along with publicity (rendered images of electronics boards can be very pretty.) That is my plan if I can't scrounge up a model, though. Thanks for the advice!

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by FenixPheonix

No real reason. It's primarily a completionism thing, along with publicity (rendered images of electronics boards can be very pretty.) That is my plan if I can't scrounge up a model, though. Thanks for the advice!

Lol used to do the same thing, I looked back at the robot assem it has a real jaguar model. We modeled our electronics board after and it worked out for us. Grab that and texture it.

-RC

[Jeff 801]

I have attached a newer model of the Jag that is found on 1323's site its the Black TI model along with a render of it. It is a parametric model in inventor I am not sure if Solidworks can do FeatureWorks on it because of how complex the geometry is.

Link to model: http://team1323.com/cad/parts/electr...lc_Jag_inv.zip

[FenixPheonix]

Thanks! I'll see about working on it next time I'm up at the lab. For some stupid, stupid reason, Solidworks can't import Inventor files without a copy of Inventor installed on the computer. Kinda annoys me, and I don't have room on my Windows partition to install it (I'm running a solidstate drive, so it's a bit on the small side. $@#$@#$@#$@# fast, though.) Anyway, hopefully Solidworks should be able to parse the parametric structure without needing FeatureWorks. And if it does? As long as they didn't do really weird surfacing, it should be fine. Interactive mode works quite well with the harder stuff (draft is still a pain, though.)

[AdamHeard]

Why do you need a thousandth by thousandth accurate model to design? A simple block will convey all the information needed, using MASSIVELY less resources. It will make the process of CAD/design a lot quicker if you're computer isn't bogged down.

I've spent a few grand on my desktop, nearly a thousand on a workstation card alone, and I still use blocks.

For renders it makes sense, but just add them right before you render, don't slow down your entire design process.

[FenixPheonix]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Why do you need a thousandth by thousandth accurate model to design? A simple block will convey all the information needed, using MASSIVELY less resources. It will make the process of CAD/design a lot quicker if you're computer isn't bogged down.

I've spent a few grand on my desktop, nearly a thousand on a workstation card alone, and I still use blocks.

For renders it makes sense, but just add them right before you render, don't slow down your entire design process.

Yeah, I know, and we do have blocks set up for initial layout. But I do then need an accurate model for the renderings (or at least one that I can count on not having a distorted mesh.) Also, a block won't do everything our team currently is wanting, because our electronics group is hoping to do wiring design in Solidworks. For that, we need the relevant connections. While that's still not the full model, and I could use a simplified version, a block's not going to cut it.

And in regards to resources? Lightweight components and subassemblies. More than compensates for it, really. There's no reason to have most of your model resolved at any given time (unless you're running simulations on it. Can't think of a situation that you'd need to do that on the whole thing, though. Although I have been thinking that running a flow analysis for air-flow would look pretty cool... Not as an actual design consideration, though.) Turn down the curvature in display options if that's the end that you're having problems with. And we'll probably just keep the whole electronics setup suppressed when we're not dealing with it. It's what we did last year, not only on electronics, but on fasteners, and other parts that were irrelevant at the time.

Thanks for the advice, though. I do appreciate it, and I'm always willing to listen to people who are more experienced than me. In part, it's kind of just for the sake of having it. It's possible that maybe there'll be a situation where we need a complete model of it, and I'd prefer to have it ready than to need to hunt around then. Until then, it'll sit quietly in the model, taking up next to no system resources. Congrats on the championship win!

[msimon785]

I suggest you visit the MadTown CAD Library. It is completely comprehensive and fairly conclusive. It has nearly all FIRST related parts up until 2010. They offer their models in a variety of CAD formats including Solidworks, Inventor, Step, Iges and Pro/E.
I personally have used their models quite extensively and can attest to their quality.
Good Luck!