Introduction

The aim of this assignment is to develop your engineering design skills using CAD software. It constitutes 60% of the overall module mark.

Learning Outcomes

By undertaking this assignment, you should be able to:

• Use creativity to produce innovative designs.
• Manage the design process from concept to CAD design.
• Utilize CAD software to design engineering components.
• Prepare a general arrangement drawing.
• Prepare a detailed component drawing.

Design Brief

One of the key components of solar panels is the linear actuator, which helps the panels efficiently track the sun across the sky.

For this assignment, you are required to design a simple linear actuator for solar panels using Fusion 360 Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software.

Design Guidelines:

• Use the actuator design example provided in the following link as a reference:
• The overall volumetric dimensions of your design should be 500 mm × 200 mm × 100 mm.
• You are free to determine the dimensions of all other parts and can modify the shape as desired.
• Specify appropriate materials for your design.
• The standard stroke lengths should be within the range of 100–300 mm.
• Internal components, such as motors and gears, do not need detailed designs. However, you should demonstrate an understanding of their placement within the actuator. Model these components as black boxes where necessary.

Evaluation Criteria

Drawing Layout (20%)

Dimensioning (60%)

Design (20%)