FreeCAD Design of the Base of My "Refrigerator Rover" Model.

by gzumwalt in Workshop > 3D Printing

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FreeCAD Design of the Base of My "Refrigerator Rover" Model.

FreeCAD: How I Designed the Base for my Simple 3D Printed Climbing Mechanism.
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FreeCAD is a free CAD / CAM application that can be used to design models for both commercial and personal architectural, woodworking, machining, laser cutting and 3D printing projects, and more, and the CAM features are quite extensive as well. I created this video to illustrate a FreeCAD CAD design process for the local business to which I provide free CAD / CAM consulting and for CAD enthusiasts, friends and followers having an interest in using FreeCAD for their CAD needs. The video illustrates the steps I took to design the most complicated 3D printed component of my "Refrigerator Rover" model, the "base".

To design the "Refrigerator Rover" using FreeCAD, I began by creating a "Master Sketch", then proceeded to create the base (and all other components for the model) from the master sketch. Using this technique allows me to adjust the dimensions of all components of the model by making simple changes to the master sketch. After the master sketch was completed, using the FreeCAD "sketch then solid" methodology, I created the various base features. And finally, I colorized then exported the base model for 3D printing.

I'm still learning FreeCAD but am so far quite impressed. However, I'm sure I've made quite a few "best practice" errors while designing the "Refrigerator Rover" using FreeCAD, so if there are any questions or comments, please feel free to comment!

Designed using FreeCAD, sliced using Ultimaker Cura 4.7.0, and 3D printed in PLA on Ultimaker S5s.