Mechanical Car

GOAL

To design and model a functional wind-up self-parking vehicle in CAD that could be manufactured from a single acrylic sheet and successfully complete competition objectives while satisfying all material and design constraints.

CHALLENGES

• Designing a compact mechanism within strict acrylic sheet size limitations

• Creating a predictable steering system without complex active mechanisms

• Ensuring all components could be laser cut and assembled within manufacturing constraints

• Balancing wheel size, axle placement, and chassis geometry for stable movement

• Designing a stopping mechanism capable of accurate parking

• Completing design, calculations, fabrication, and testing within limited project timelines

SOLUTIONS

• Designed a compact chassis layout optimized for manufacturability and material efficiency

• Positioned the rear axle and front caster to improve movement stability and maintain a predictable turning radius

• Integrated a side plow mechanism into the chassis to maximize successful Jenga block interaction

• Modeled all components in CAD to verify fitment and simplify fabrication and assembly

• Iteratively refined dimensions and geometry through testing to improve motion consistency and parking accuracy

TOOLS & TECHNOLOGIES

SolidWorks, CAD Modeling, Laser Cutting, Mechanical Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Prototyping, Mechanical Testing