ideas for cool little fabrication projects
05-11-10, 11:42 PM
#27
You should make a laser cut Stats. Sheets for people for car shows.
This could be a neat way to make a couple bucks.
Make a little light box, that a piece of sheet aluminum or stainless steel can be slipped into.
Laser out what people want (throw in some neat little rotor designs or what nots)
make the box a back light so as to make it more of a classy display.
Start simple, work your way up.
PS you should make some type of bubble dispenser so you blow bubbles out of your exhaust. lol:
This could be a neat way to make a couple bucks.
Make a little light box, that a piece of sheet aluminum or stainless steel can be slipped into.
Laser out what people want (throw in some neat little rotor designs or what nots)
make the box a back light so as to make it more of a classy display.
Start simple, work your way up.
PS you should make some type of bubble dispenser so you blow bubbles out of your exhaust. lol:
Hi bubbles,
Here is my suggestion for how to proceed with your plan. My understanding is that you want to fill up your portfolio for the future job hunt? Well here is how you can do that with little to no money out of pocket. Here's the steps:
1. Find a part that some people are interested in making, something within your design capability.
2. Find out your design parameters/requirements; material, longevity, safety testing, price points, etc... (someone reviewing your portfolio will want to see that you can do this)
3. Take measurements and CAD model the part. Then make manufacturing drawings
4. Create a prototype from the drawings. It does not need to be a functional piece but make sure that it is true to the drawings (a 3d print will work great if it keeps good tolerances)
5. Test fit
6. Finalize drawings.
7. Send out drawings to local manufacturing companies and get prices for one-offs and various lot sizes. (sometimes they may even do a prototype piece for free).
8. Once you have all of this accomplished let the interested parties know how much money/time it will take to make them.
9. Document everything you did to make the product. And, if you actually find a buyer, take a picture of the product for your portfolio before you send it out.
I wouldn't try to make any money this way because you start to run into some legal issues (though you are a student and may be somewhat protected by that fact). But, I would not attempt to design anything that was a critical system to a vehicle due to liability. But if you are creating cosmetic pieces or parts for close friends you should be okay. Doing things this way you are only spending your time and minimal $ for your mock-up and can still get a functional piece in the end on someone else's dollar (they wont mind cause you did all the design work for free).
Also, companies will be much more interested in you making set of drawings that is good enough to send to a shop than any hand fab work you might be able to accomplish.
Just my two cents, let me know if you have any questions about any of the steps. btw, what CAD software does your school use?
Here is my suggestion for how to proceed with your plan. My understanding is that you want to fill up your portfolio for the future job hunt? Well here is how you can do that with little to no money out of pocket. Here's the steps:
1. Find a part that some people are interested in making, something within your design capability.
2. Find out your design parameters/requirements; material, longevity, safety testing, price points, etc... (someone reviewing your portfolio will want to see that you can do this)
3. Take measurements and CAD model the part. Then make manufacturing drawings
4. Create a prototype from the drawings. It does not need to be a functional piece but make sure that it is true to the drawings (a 3d print will work great if it keeps good tolerances)
5. Test fit
6. Finalize drawings.
7. Send out drawings to local manufacturing companies and get prices for one-offs and various lot sizes. (sometimes they may even do a prototype piece for free).
8. Once you have all of this accomplished let the interested parties know how much money/time it will take to make them.
9. Document everything you did to make the product. And, if you actually find a buyer, take a picture of the product for your portfolio before you send it out.
I wouldn't try to make any money this way because you start to run into some legal issues (though you are a student and may be somewhat protected by that fact). But, I would not attempt to design anything that was a critical system to a vehicle due to liability. But if you are creating cosmetic pieces or parts for close friends you should be okay. Doing things this way you are only spending your time and minimal $ for your mock-up and can still get a functional piece in the end on someone else's dollar (they wont mind cause you did all the design work for free).
Also, companies will be much more interested in you making set of drawings that is good enough to send to a shop than any hand fab work you might be able to accomplish.
Just my two cents, let me know if you have any questions about any of the steps. btw, what CAD software does your school use?
as for school software, we havent used CAD.... we use rhino and inventor
A battery platform for relocating a battery to the passenger bin. I custom made one (see my battery relocation writeup here) but would like something a little more sturdy.
Has some moving parts so would not be trivial but I'll bet you could sell quite a few of them.
Has some moving parts so would not be trivial but I'll bet you could sell quite a few of them.
bahahahhahaha
05-12-10, 02:30 AM
#28
Put your design work into the light box.
Make it collapsable (travel friendly) able to stand on uneven surfaces, able to withstand being knocked over, easy and cost effective to manufacture, light weight, make it able to utalize a LCD monitor. (modular design)
a modular light backed sign like this could be quite a neat little piece that could generate interest beyond the car owner circle.
Make for a nice presentation piece if able it use LCD (PowerPoint &slide shows)
the backlight feature could be used by resturants or bars to attract wl
alling traffic.
Etc.
Imagination is key to engineering (almost everything can be made better)
Make it collapsable (travel friendly) able to stand on uneven surfaces, able to withstand being knocked over, easy and cost effective to manufacture, light weight, make it able to utalize a LCD monitor. (modular design)
a modular light backed sign like this could be quite a neat little piece that could generate interest beyond the car owner circle.
Make for a nice presentation piece if able it use LCD (PowerPoint &slide shows)
the backlight feature could be used by resturants or bars to attract wl
alling traffic.
Etc.
Imagination is key to engineering (almost everything can be made better)
05-12-10, 08:31 AM
#31
Thanks for the awesome tips! this seems more like an engineering stand point tho...? i could be wrong as i only completed my second year but as an idustrial designer we deal with less of the manufacturing portion like that? whats your background?
as for school software, we havent used CAD.... we use rhino and inventor
I guess I did lose track a bit though. I basically go through all parts of design/engineering from inception to production for my job so I sometimes forget where there are usually different disciplines involved. Since most of your work is in the conceptual stage, CAD is a must. I use Inventor as well, but it uber sucks for surfaces/curves. (probably why you use rhino too)
Anyway, disregard this statement:
Also, companies will be much more interested in you making set of drawings that is good enough to send to a shop than any hand fab work you might be able to accomplish.
So, for your portfolio I'd say spend your time modeling (I'd drool over a super accurate FD model, I've always wanted one to try and do some fluid modeling with). The first step come up with a model that you can add your pieces to, then start designing.
Ok, so you want to design something. Lets take the cup-holder for example:
You have already established a want/need for this product, now comes the industrial design phase of production. Come up with your solutions towards for the problems of form, usability, and user ergonomics. Figure out where is the best location for it (If you want to see an extreme failure of design for a cup-holder just look at the VW golf, when you turn to hard the drinks fall out into your lap, when you stop to hard they spill out onto the radio, when you accelerate they spill onto the shifter, ...ugh
)
Cup-holders are much more difficult then they sound because while one person wants to put a Redbull in it, someone else wants to put a Big Gulp. If you leave anyone out, there will be complaints. Once you figure out the usability, think about ergonomics. Is it in a place that "makes sense" is easy to reach and retrieve the drink without spilling it, etc... once you have all that figured out you then have to determine if it is going to retract or if it will look good enough to always be in place (form). One of the hardest things to do is to make something new look like it belongs in an old design. You nail that, people will be impressed.
So we come to concepts stage, a lot of this can be done on paper for those who are artistically inclined. Nail the design down to 3 or so different options and draw them up. Spend the time looking at past designs and other existing designs while thinking of other new approaches and getting inspiration from unrelated objects/images.
Once you've done all that, it all comes back to modeling. Two options, Physical or CAD. Now, since you actually have the car you are probably more inclined to go physical and then take pictures. For the portfolio's sake I'd say go full CAD. This is because in industry, sometimes the whole product (in this case the car) may still be in the conceptual stage and Physical may not be an option. The professionals you present this to will want to see that you can not only produce concepts of your part but also give it a field of reference (car's interior) even if one doesn't exist.
Next step, put it in for review. aka, Show Us!! We can give feedback for better or for worse and can give you 'market data' that supports your design.
If all is good... then I refer you to my previous post (steps 3-9)
05-12-10, 10:36 AM
#32
Put your design work into the light box.
Make it collapsable (travel friendly) able to stand on uneven surfaces, able to withstand being knocked over, easy and cost effective to manufacture, light weight, make it able to utalize a LCD monitor. (modular design)
a modular light backed sign like this could be quite a neat little piece that could generate interest beyond the car owner circle.
Make for a nice presentation piece if able it use LCD (PowerPoint &slide shows)
the backlight feature could be used by resturants or bars to attract wl
alling traffic.
Etc.
Imagination is key to engineering (almost everything can be made better)
Make it collapsable (travel friendly) able to stand on uneven surfaces, able to withstand being knocked over, easy and cost effective to manufacture, light weight, make it able to utalize a LCD monitor. (modular design)
a modular light backed sign like this could be quite a neat little piece that could generate interest beyond the car owner circle.
Make for a nice presentation piece if able it use LCD (PowerPoint &slide shows)
the backlight feature could be used by resturants or bars to attract wl
alling traffic.
Etc.
Imagination is key to engineering (almost everything can be made better)
Tis true, I am an engineer. And I guess my description was more biased that way. Sorry about that. But, as I'm sure you are aware, those are the steps to produce a production piece. If you want to make multiple production parts, you are going to need to go through those steps either yourself or with the help of an engineer. (Oh and, I refer to CAD as any computer aided design software not just AutoCAD)
I guess I did lose track a bit though. I basically go through all parts of design/engineering from inception to production for my job so I sometimes forget where there are usually different disciplines involved. Since most of your work is in the conceptual stage, CAD is a must. I use Inventor as well, but it uber sucks for surfaces/curves. (probably why you use rhino too)
Anyway, disregard this statement:
Rewrite it to say companies will be interested in your 3D CAD modeling skills and your capability to 'bring them to life.' If I were still in school I'd tack on a class with 3dmax or another advanced program that can really give you good images once you have your models. It is night and day how good they look with a proper render/lighting/camera.
So, for your portfolio I'd say spend your time modeling (I'd drool over a super accurate FD model, I've always wanted one to try and do some fluid modeling with). The first step come up with a model that you can add your pieces to, then start designing.
Ok, so you want to design something. Lets take the cup-holder for example:
You have already established a want/need for this product, now comes the industrial design phase of production. Come up with your solutions towards for the problems of form, usability, and user ergonomics. Figure out where is the best location for it (If you want to see an extreme failure of design for a cup-holder just look at the VW golf, when you turn to hard the drinks fall out into your lap, when you stop to hard they spill out onto the radio, when you accelerate they spill onto the shifter, ...ugh )
Cup-holders are much more difficult then they sound because while one person wants to put a Redbull in it, someone else wants to put a Big Gulp. If you leave anyone out, there will be complaints. Once you figure out the usability, think about ergonomics. Is it in a place that "makes sense" is easy to reach and retrieve the drink without spilling it, etc... once you have all that figured out you then have to determine if it is going to retract or if it will look good enough to always be in place (form). One of the hardest things to do is to make something new look like it belongs in an old design. You nail that, people will be impressed.
So we come to concepts stage, a lot of this can be done on paper for those who are artistically inclined. Nail the design down to 3 or so different options and draw them up. Spend the time looking at past designs and other existing designs while thinking of other new approaches and getting inspiration from unrelated objects/images.
Once you've done all that, it all comes back to modeling. Two options, Physical or CAD. Now, since you actually have the car you are probably more inclined to go physical and then take pictures. For the portfolio's sake I'd say go full CAD. This is because in industry, sometimes the whole product (in this case the car) may still be in the conceptual stage and Physical may not be an option. The professionals you present this to will want to see that you can not only produce concepts of your part but also give it a field of reference (car's interior) even if one doesn't exist.
Next step, put it in for review. aka, Show Us!! We can give feedback for better or for worse and can give you 'market data' that supports your design.
If all is good... then I refer you to my previous post (steps 3-9)
I guess I did lose track a bit though. I basically go through all parts of design/engineering from inception to production for my job so I sometimes forget where there are usually different disciplines involved. Since most of your work is in the conceptual stage, CAD is a must. I use Inventor as well, but it uber sucks for surfaces/curves. (probably why you use rhino too)
Anyway, disregard this statement:
Rewrite it to say companies will be interested in your 3D CAD modeling skills and your capability to 'bring them to life.' If I were still in school I'd tack on a class with 3dmax or another advanced program that can really give you good images once you have your models. It is night and day how good they look with a proper render/lighting/camera.
So, for your portfolio I'd say spend your time modeling (I'd drool over a super accurate FD model, I've always wanted one to try and do some fluid modeling with). The first step come up with a model that you can add your pieces to, then start designing.
Ok, so you want to design something. Lets take the cup-holder for example:
You have already established a want/need for this product, now comes the industrial design phase of production. Come up with your solutions towards for the problems of form, usability, and user ergonomics. Figure out where is the best location for it (If you want to see an extreme failure of design for a cup-holder just look at the VW golf, when you turn to hard the drinks fall out into your lap, when you stop to hard they spill out onto the radio, when you accelerate they spill onto the shifter, ...ugh
)Cup-holders are much more difficult then they sound because while one person wants to put a Redbull in it, someone else wants to put a Big Gulp. If you leave anyone out, there will be complaints. Once you figure out the usability, think about ergonomics. Is it in a place that "makes sense" is easy to reach and retrieve the drink without spilling it, etc... once you have all that figured out you then have to determine if it is going to retract or if it will look good enough to always be in place (form). One of the hardest things to do is to make something new look like it belongs in an old design. You nail that, people will be impressed.
So we come to concepts stage, a lot of this can be done on paper for those who are artistically inclined. Nail the design down to 3 or so different options and draw them up. Spend the time looking at past designs and other existing designs while thinking of other new approaches and getting inspiration from unrelated objects/images.
Once you've done all that, it all comes back to modeling. Two options, Physical or CAD. Now, since you actually have the car you are probably more inclined to go physical and then take pictures. For the portfolio's sake I'd say go full CAD. This is because in industry, sometimes the whole product (in this case the car) may still be in the conceptual stage and Physical may not be an option. The professionals you present this to will want to see that you can not only produce concepts of your part but also give it a field of reference (car's interior) even if one doesn't exist.
Next step, put it in for review. aka, Show Us!! We can give feedback for better or for worse and can give you 'market data' that supports your design.
If all is good... then I refer you to my previous post (steps 3-9)
just wondering prometheus what do you do? engineering?
he's on troids, if you dont mind where do you work? what do you mostly deal with?
05-12-10, 04:47 PM
#33
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Another couple of simple items would be a 3bar map sensor bracket and maybe some kinda bracket for a twin power. Mounting brackets/plate for a couple different EBCs like the profec too. I think these are all simple non-safety related items that people would want.
I also remember seeing some coil relocation brackets from somewhere that had a nice RX-7 logo on it, I think it was Crispys site.
I also remember seeing some coil relocation brackets from somewhere that had a nice RX-7 logo on it, I think it was Crispys site.
Last edited by twinsinside; 05-12-10 at 04:51 PM.
05-12-10, 11:19 PM
#34
Hey I'm also a industrial design student at SCAD in GA. I just recently bought my FD and was looking at doing the same over the summer. I was thinking definitely a cup holder for starters then something much more interesting, something that updates the car in someway in style or function but haven't had to much time to think about it got finals all next week. A battery relocation kit would be pretty good might have to look into that one, since i plan on doing that soon. Tilt steering wheel would be my top choice since I'm 6'2''. Good thread looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
05-13-10, 10:36 AM
#37
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Muibubbles dude thanks again for the A/C stuff!!!!!
Its hard to find a lot of the interior plastic parts. Like the little panel holder push in plugs. Not sure what the technical name for them are.
I had to use epxoy and a screw and welded washer to make a mount to hold the string for the rear window tray thing. Its for when you open the rear hatch and the strings pull up the tray for the trunk area. I looked around in junk yards for them on other Mazda cars and failed.
Also missing one the lattice black plastic mesh thing that goes into vents behind the front wheel wells.
Well thats all I can think of....
Its hard to find a lot of the interior plastic parts. Like the little panel holder push in plugs. Not sure what the technical name for them are.
I had to use epxoy and a screw and welded washer to make a mount to hold the string for the rear window tray thing. Its for when you open the rear hatch and the strings pull up the tray for the trunk area. I looked around in junk yards for them on other Mazda cars and failed.
Also missing one the lattice black plastic mesh thing that goes into vents behind the front wheel wells.
Well thats all I can think of....
05-13-10, 11:44 AM
#38
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Some people have been able to use the stock duct with a lot of modification. I haven't had any luck finding a duct made by Greddy for the SMIC. There are a couple interesting threads on here following one off duct builds for this intercooler.
05-13-10, 03:21 PM
#40
as for the post about the brackets, i was looking into that but im not sure how to fabricate one without being able to weld.... but we do have a cnc machine at school... i gotta see if it can cut through metals...........
05-13-10, 06:55 PM
#42
Don't be like me, stay in school kids.
Before the collapse of my division @ work...
I used to design, manufacture & install conveyor systems, jaw crushing equipment, centrifugal crushing equipment, RADAR & IR sensor units.
The aggregate industry made up the bulk of my clientele.
I have no formal education other than a High School diploma
I know its kinda wrong to claim that I'm a Mechanical Engineer, but it sounds better to the ladies.
:awesom e:
But my Dad always told me motivation & drive were just as important as a degree.
I started at the bottom as an installer, and by the end of my second year I was in the R&D side of the company. I still went out into the field to oversee the installment of equipment & to discuss with customers the proper/ safe way to operate & maintain equipment my company designed.
I tell you what though, its a lot tougher getting a good paying job without that degree.
So stay with your schooling, its only going to make your life easier.
I'm currently looking into attending school.
I used to design, manufacture & install conveyor systems, jaw crushing equipment, centrifugal crushing equipment, RADAR & IR sensor units.
The aggregate industry made up the bulk of my clientele.
I have no formal education other than a High School diploma
I know its kinda wrong to claim that I'm a Mechanical Engineer, but it sounds better to the ladies.
:awesom e:But my Dad always told me motivation & drive were just as important as a degree.
I started at the bottom as an installer, and by the end of my second year I was in the R&D side of the company. I still went out into the field to oversee the installment of equipment & to discuss with customers the proper/ safe way to operate & maintain equipment my company designed.
I tell you what though, its a lot tougher getting a good paying job without that degree.
So stay with your schooling, its only going to make your life easier.
I'm currently looking into attending school.
05-14-10, 11:32 AM
#43
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There are a couple of threads I've been looking through regarding the duct:
(CF Working Prototype) https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...eddy+smic+duct
(Working prototype) https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ht=greddy+smic
(still in design phase) https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/ic-duct-greddy-smic-design-394445/
The members involved have done some great work! Would love to see this duct in Aluminum if possible or CF. If you could make these for purchase I'm sure you would have a lot of interest!
(CF Working Prototype) https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...eddy+smic+duct
(Working prototype) https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ht=greddy+smic
(still in design phase) https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/ic-duct-greddy-smic-design-394445/
The members involved have done some great work! Would love to see this duct in Aluminum if possible or CF. If you could make these for purchase I'm sure you would have a lot of interest!
05-28-10, 06:50 PM
#45
so im looking more into using fiberglass as a medium... i wanna try making a mold to be able to replicate items.... any ideas? so far all i can think of is a sub box...
maybe tinkering around with a diffuser if my friend lends me his =)
maybe tinkering around with a diffuser if my friend lends me his =)
05-28-10, 11:08 PM
#48
yep!
Pull a cast of a 13B REW block (without all external accessories)
where there are areas in the block find appropriat fasteners to put in place:
instead of casting a threaded hole, add a little more material there, so Joe can drill it out and set in a metal fastener (metal threads for motor mount bolts)
make the dummy motor able to withstand bolting the block accessories to it
then make fiberglass LIM & UIM (both RE & REW)
make light weight dummy motor mounts
make light weight dummy transmission
light weight dummy Diff case
basically make replicas of all the heavy *** parts that make custom fabrication a total bitch...
Watch how the serious DIY'ers will snag these up.
Pretty much you will get your bad *** merritt badge.
Pull a cast of a 13B REW block (without all external accessories)
where there are areas in the block find appropriat fasteners to put in place:
instead of casting a threaded hole, add a little more material there, so Joe can drill it out and set in a metal fastener (metal threads for motor mount bolts)
make the dummy motor able to withstand bolting the block accessories to it
then make fiberglass LIM & UIM (both RE & REW)
make light weight dummy motor mounts
make light weight dummy transmission
light weight dummy Diff case
basically make replicas of all the heavy *** parts that make custom fabrication a total bitch...
Watch how the serious DIY'ers will snag these up.
Pretty much you will get your bad *** merritt badge.
05-28-10, 11:35 PM
#50
lol prometheus i love your comments... they entertain me lol i have no skill compared to you lol yourre kinda asking for things out of my skill level, great ideas, but stuff out of my skill level...
greddy smic duct is something more my league but i dont have a donor core to get measurements for.....
greddy smic duct is something more my league but i dont have a donor core to get measurements for.....