Long Board CAD Project
MAE 284: Introduction to CAD
The Task
In an introductory CAD course, teams were tasked with fully modeling a product we own using Solidworks. As I scanned the room for something to model, my attention landed on a longboard leaning against the wall—a perfect mix of form and function. The goal was to replicate it using measured proportions, standard hardware, and accurate part relationships that reflect how the assembly components interact in the real world.
Image 1: Longboard Full Assy View
The Approach
The first step was breaking the longboard down into individual components. Using calipers, I took precise measurements of the deck, trucks, wheels, and fasteners. Each part was recreated to scale using solid body modeling techniques in SolidWorks. For the hardware, I selected standard components directly from the McMaster-Carr catalog to ensure accuracy.
I followed a bottom-up design approach, modeling each part individually before assembling them in the CAD environment. As the assembly came together, I applied mates and constraints to define part relationships and ensure the realistic motion of the longboard.
Shown here is a detailed view of both the top and underside of one side of the longboard, highlighting the completed assembly and how each component fits together.
Image 3: Longboard Front View
Image 2: Longboard Bottom View
Documentation
Once the 3D models and assembly were complete, I created a Bill of Materials (BOM) to organize and track each part of the assembly. This preliminary BOM included part names and quantities (assembly exploded view and BOM are shown).
I also assisted a teammate in developing 2D engineering drawings for both individual components and the full assembly. These drawings featured proper views, dimensions, and callouts where needed. They were essential for communicating the design intent clearly and would serve as the foundation for physical manufacturing if the board were to be built.
Image 4: BOM & Exploded View