Pump Bottle Experience

Assignment 1 for Advanced computer modeling.

The project was about reverse engineering a pump action soap dispenser to an accuracy of 1mm. During this process I had to learn some new skill and function on Soildworks. The main skills to learn were how to model organic shapes and how to create threads and springs.   

At first I was a little rusty with Solidworks and I had forgotten how to use most of the functions, but after the first task I was back on track.

I thought it would be best to start with the main pump shaft as most of the components had a relationship with it.

    I found it hard placing an in context part to another that was made externally as most of the time they would over lap by only a few millimeters. I often found myself having to go back and re-measure the parts to see what part was of the correct dimension.

The spring was one of the parts that I had the most trouble with, it took me the longest to complete to a standard I am now happy with. The spring was created with the helix (adjustable pitch, e.c.t.) and a profile, these sketches where used with the swept function. The body of the spring was created with the swept feature. The body was made with an adjustable height  that was referenced within the context of the top pump mechanism. This allows the parts to move and update with each other and creates a compressing spring.  To get the spring right I had to watch a few videos which helped to clarify each component. I eventually got there with trial and error, using the new function of the helix.

My function spring within the pump  assembly!!

 After creating the bottle I started my own design.

 A good accident happened while creating my custom bottle! When i cut it back to the shape I was looking for I forgot to consider the bottom of the bottle which had a raised indentation. Cutting the wall all the way to this indentation gave the bottle a whole new shape. At first I didn't like it and I  tried to fix my dimension at the bottom. After making my change to get what i was looking for, I preferred the accidental bottle. 

I think the reverse-engineered bottle turned out to be pretty good considering the limited time (that is if I read my verniers correctly). There are a few elements I would like to go back and change/add.For example, I would have loved to go back and sculpt the ridge on the bottle more until it was perfect. Also, my decal should have been a bit bigger However, I am glad that I got all the elements of the assignment done in time. Over all I am happy with what I have achieved.

 

 

Deanna Wilson