Screwdriver

Introduction

Final Product

3D Model

Layout Drawing

Printed Prototype

Process

The very first thing I did was get some inspiration from the internet. I searched up various types of screwdrivers and their unique properties and uses. I eventually came across a screw driver I really liked and so I started my sketch. I was inspired by the vase-like shape of the handle as it allows for amazing grip and is ergonomically feasible. Following this I sketched the shank and gave rough dimensions for the screwdriver. Subsequently I started to draft out circles in Rhino along the Y-Z plane that were different sizes according to the rough dimensions I noted down. Once I had all the circles drafted I drafted a free form curve on the x-axis by placing control points on the edge of the circles. Following this I used the “Revolve” command to make a vase-like surface that has the same “curvature” on the edges as the free form curve I drew before. Ultimately I used the “Cap” command to close off the naked faces of the surface. I began to add features on the handle including rubber grips, a button on the back with a slot indicator, indents, smooth edges,  and solid text. I used the “Fillet”, “OrientOnSrf”, “TextObject”, “Extrude”, and “Revolve” commands to add these features. For the shaft I drew a 4” line on the x-axis and then used the “Pipe” command to make it a cylinder with a diameter of 5⁄16". I then added a trapezoidal prism perpendicular to the edge of the shaft by making a trapezoid using the “polyline” command and then extruding it. Following this I used the gumball to move the extrusion a bit inside the cylinder after which I used the “Array Polar” command to make copies of the extrusion around the cylinder. Subsequently I downloaded a ¼” hexagon driver bit from McMaster Carr and used the “Boolean Difference” command to add a slot that resembles the shape of the base of the driver bit.  To finish the shaft off I added a hexagonal bolster between the tip of the handle and shaft, and used the “Boolean Union” command to combine the extruded trapezoids and shaft into one closed polysurface. Once I had both the shaft and handle done I used the “Boolean Difference” command to subtract the shaft from the handle in order to make slots in which the teeth can fit in. Making a layout of my model was the next step where I gave dimensions and added more information about the Screwdriver. Following the layout I set my display mode to raytraced and rendered the screwdriver in different viewports. Once my model was complete I exported it as an “.stl” file using the “Export” command then which I was able to open in preform and print. I also printed my interchangeable driver bit. Subsequently I grabbed a ¼” basswood cylinder stick and assembled my model screwdriver. 

Skills Gained

The most important thing I learned from this project was solid modeling as a whole. Being able to use commands like “Revolve”, “Cap”, “BooleanDifference”, “BooleanUnion”, and others allow me to model 3D objects. Things I can model in the future because of my experience with this project include but are not limited to Buildings, infrastructure, products, cars, and many more. Another skill I developed heavily is design something based on the demands that a client wants. When designing my screwdriver I took ergonomics into heavy consideration given the fact that this product will be held in a hand. If the product isn't ergonomically feasible it won’t be successful as it wouldn’t be comfortable in one’s hand. I added things like rubber grips, and indents to test out the effectiveness my screwdriver would have. 

Being able to meet the client’s demand is key to doing my job correctly. If I am not able to meet the client’s demand, the client simply won’t want the item which hurts the business and the blame would rightfully go to me. This also makes knowing how to draft a layout correctly important as it is the way I would communicate information about a product to the client. Solid modeling would help me successfully design a product that is real should they ask for it. 

Lessons

I think the biggest lesson I learned while modeling the screwdriver is maintaining patience. There were many times where my Rhino crashed or my computer died and I lost my progress on it because I didn’t regularly save my work. I wasn’t patient at first but as I progressed I began to deal with these types of situations patiently. I also think this is a lesson for me to start saving my work more frequently to avoid losing it. 

Reflections

The biggest challenge I encountered was getting the right size. My very first attempt at modeling the handle of the screwdriver was unsuccessful as I thought it was too bulky. I then restarted the model and eventually ended up with the handle I have in the final product.