Electronics > Manufacturing & Assembly

Software to design Robot Chassis

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praveen_khm:
Hi,

I am designing a robot chassis in aluminum. The chassis consist of 6 aluminum pieces put together to make a rectangular box with holes  for motor and other holes to screw them together. I have tried it in cardboard and it seems ok. Now, the manufacturer has asked to make a CAD drawing of it and send it.

Now for the question, which software helps me do this? I have heard of google sketchup and Autocad inventor. Do they help me do what I need? Since I am very new and fresh to CAD software, I am willing to learn any new software if it pays off in a long run. Since I need to give  them details of screw hole sizes, motor mount holes, I need a software which can show me how it looks when I assemble all the 6 pieces together and also if possible add motor and wheels to see how it feels  before sending for manufacturing.

On the other hand, I can ask a trained person to make this for me, but I have that urge to learn that and do it myself. I know it may be difficult, but I am keen on learning.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Praveen

Pack34:
If it's just a rectangular aluminum box with motors, why not just buy one?

http://www.superdroidrobots.com/shop/category.aspx/robot-kits-standard-wheels/51/

praveen_khm:
Well, I am planning to make and sell this, but not buy it.

Pack34:

--- Quote from: praveen_khm on October 28, 2014, 01:05:18 pm ---Well, I am planning to make and sell this, but not buy it.

--- End quote ---

I'd start by asking around at places that could laser cut or CNC the final chassis for you. Considering it's such a simple design they might be able to do it for you, for a fee.

EDIT:// There's nothing wrong with using SketchUp to hammer out a rough idea of what you want to make but if you're going to have these made you're going to need the necessary gcode files for the CNC to cut out your parts. If you really want to get your hands dirty in this then you will most likely need to buy and learn a program like Solidworks.

Since the design is so simple, you're most likely better off outsourcing this to someone. A fabrication shop should either be able to do all of this for you, or suggest someone who can help you out.

Kohanbash:
Google Sketchup is good and free. In the professional world Solidworks or Autodesk is often used.

When you draw the parts remember that you should be able to both draw the 3D drawing and then create a 2D drawing of each part that needs to be manufactured (can skethcup do this??).

If you use a manufacturer that you can work with they can often figure out (or ask you) about how to build and tolerance your parts. If you use a generic contract manufacturer (for example mfg.com) then you will need to have all of your tolerances and drawings correct and complete.

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