Week 2: CADD (Phone Stand)

Welcome back to the blog!

This week, we were tasked to create a phone stand using Fusion360. Not only that, we had to create it using parametric design, which basically allows for length changes universally instead of individually. This saves a lot of time and hassle, especially when there is only a limited amount of time required to modify a design.

I wanted to create a simple design that could hold any phone. I kept in mind that I had to break down the sketch into components as it would be laser cut. A laser cutter can only make 2D designs, unlike a 3D printer. Here are my steps:

1) I created a simple triangle. I then used the offset tool to create an inner triangle by specifying it to be the thickness, 20mm.

2) I then had to specify the 3 lengths of the triangle, so that it would be accurately created. I made 3 different parameters to the different lengths, and placed it as such on each respective length using the dimensions tool:

3) I used the fillet tool to smoothen the top end of the triangle. Then, created the "tongue" of the handphone stand so that phones wouldn't slip out. I specified the length and thickness of the tongue, as shown here:

4) To create the 3D model, I then had to extrude the sketch. I specified a reasonable length (200mm). Here's the final product!

5) It's not over yet! The model had to be broken down further into 4 parts: 3 parts that corresponded to each length of the triangle, as well as the tongue. Using the extrude tool to extrude separate faces, as well as the move tool to move each component, here are they:

6) Modifications needed to be created, as these parts wouldn't be able to attach on their own. Hence, I had to go back to the drawing board. The main difference is in the base, where it had to be longer so that it can fit the 3 parts. I also tried using it in functions of the base length. For example, the extensions were a quarter of the base length. Here is the revised sketch.

Finally, the absolute final design, in components!

Here is the embed of the design. (still amazed by technology)

Overall, this experience has taught me the importance of being able to adapt on the fly. Adaptability only ever comes if we work smart, and parametric design helps to do just that!