Apple Iphone Charger... by my student Julio Bello

In my "Engineering Drawing" class I use Solidworks CAD to introduce product design.  One of the assignments I give, is to measure and recreate a product.  It must have less that 5 parts and at least one moving part.  Electronics are usual not a good pick as they have so many internal parts... but in some cases, if a student stays on the outside, then there are very few parts.  In this blog post you will see how one of my students handled replicating an Apple product.

Q: So, Julio, how many parts of the charger did you make?

A: Technically i made three,but each part took several different commands and shapes to make. If I didnt have such a good understanding of solidworks it would have been difficult, but I'm no master, I could always do beter and learn more.

Check it out the full blog post at...

http://tomasbelloengineering.blogspot.com/2015/03/real-object-in-solidworks.html

Welding can be the lighting of a fire!

“EDUCATION IS NOT THE FILLING OF A PAIL, BUT THE LIGHTING OF A FIRE.”

– WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS

I say would add that once the fire is lit... gathering their own fuel is key to self sufficiency. Making and publishing student blogs is part of the steps towards connecting with supportive people.

One person I have in mind who has been an inspiration to young girls learning to weld is Jessi Combs.

Quick story on how Jessi helped my student be a better welder. When I introduced my student Xitlaly to welding, I gave her the gloves all the guys in the class use. These did not fit her. The fingers drooped over, which looked like clown clothes. She could not feel the trigger on the MIG torch. As you may know, welding comfort and position is linked to accuracy and safety. I stopped right there to think... there must be a better way.

I knew that there were popular female welders... So maybe they could offer me a solution. I looked up Jessi Combs. Turns out Jessi has a line of welding gloves specific to women's hand sizes. This was a no brainer. I bought 3 sizes online. When they arrived I brought them in to school for Xitlaly to try. She found a perfect match and got straight into laying her first beads. Check out this photo from her first day!!!

I don't know if this is the result of my teaching or the talent of my student...  in this case I think its the student.  Thank you Jessi Combs for enabling young girls to weld.  And thank you to my student Xitlaly for trying a new tool in the workshop.  Read and see more of Xitaly's welding on her blog post.  http://exqueda.blogspot.com/2015/04/welding.html

From real object, to Solid CAD model... by my Student, Kelly Coca

Can a toy Gyro, balancing on a finger, inspire a student to pursue an engineering career?

While learning the tools of engineering, my student Kelly Coca, imported a Gyro into the Solidworks CAD program.  Read her blog post as she answers questions on how she imported the measurements...

http://kellycocaengineering.blogspot.com/2015/03/gyroscope-imported-into-solidworks.html

Rebuilding a Bicycle Freelwheel and Axle Bearings... by my student Elijas Daza

Rebuilding a Bicycle Freelwheel and Axle Bearings...  by my student Elijas Daza

Lets go straight to his blog post!!!

http://elisengineering.blogspot.com/2015/04/how-to-rebuild-your-freewheel-bearings.html