CNC Router Conceptual Design

Objective

The goal for this project was to develop a conceptual design for a CNC router tailored to hobbyists and optimized for cutting aluminum. The design prioritized safety, ease of use, and ease of assembly. It is compatible with available market components, allowing for straightforward replacement and longer lifespan.

Role

As Team Leader, I helped lead weekly meetings to ensure alignment with project goals and timelines. I helped assign tasks, maintained open communication with the group online, and regularly checked team progress to support members in meeting deadlines. I encouraged a collaborative environment by asking for input from all members and ensuring there was consensus on goals and task distribution during every meeting. Additionally, I provided polite, constructive task reminders to promote accountability while maintaining a positive team dynamic.

Design Process

1. Defining Objectives and Specifications
   • Identified the target audience and key feature goals.
   • Established engineering specifications, including objectives and constraints.
2. Conceptual Design Creation
   • Assigned team members 2–3 features each to develop candidate designs.
   • Developed rough sketches detailing mechanisms and methods for achieving feature goals.
3. Candidate Design Evaluation
   • Shared and reviewed candidate designs collaboratively.
   • Discussed modifications based on feasibility and alignment with specifications.
   • Enhanced designs with more specific features following team input.
4. Selection and Refinement
   • Created a comparison table to assess how each feature met design goals.
   • Conducted multi-voting to select features based on ease of implementation and fit with specs.
5. CAD Model Development
   • Constructed a SolidWorks assembly of the base design using selected features.
   • Incorporated additional features into the assembly to finalize the design.