CAD – Lannix Design

Newsletter Q4 2023 Is Out!

Nick — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 21:30:09 +0000

If you haven’t subscribed to our newsletter yet, why not check out the link below to preview what we have for you this quarter. As you may have guessed, we only send out a newsletter every three months so there’s no chance that you’ll become overwhelmed with constant bombardment of which some companies are guilty.

Subscribe below if you like what you see as it really helps us out. Thanks so much for your continued support!

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Making Graphics For Our Website

Nick — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 21:30:17 +0000

Making graphics for a website seemed like a daunting task a couple of years ago when I jumped into the project. I had no idea what the deal is with using downloaded images and the like when you’re making a commercial website, and I actually wasn’t that keen to just use someone else’s artwork.

Since I’d designed the logo myself in Fusion 360, I came up with this plan to use renders with low lighting that would hopefully just fade into the background of the website and look like a nice subtle image. I was initially quite happy with this for our original website, lannix3d.com.au, but when it came time to build our new website I wanted something a little more artistic to grab people’s attention when they clicked on our home page.

Originally, the main page background was a brick wall with our logo as an illuminated sign hanging on it. I was happy with it at first but after looking at it closely I realised the brick texture wasn’t as high-res as I’d like and I felt it was looking a bit uninteresting. The light didn’t seem to stand out as much as I’d hoped so I went back and gave it some more attention.

Our home page graphic made in Fusion 360 and Blender.

The original background that I decided to evolve.

In the mean time I’d revamped our YouTube channel graphics with a teal & orange theme which I really loved. So I thought I’d incorporate those colours into the brick image somehow. I’d also been watching tutorials on how to light a scene for making videos so that gave me the idea of having the coloured lights illuminate the scene from either side. I thought opposite corners would look good and I’m happy with that part of it.

Our logo sign needed to glow and stand out more so I used some techniques I learned from Blender Guru on how to get a nice glow from your rendered emission textures.

Lastly, I wanted to add some more subtle detail to give a sense of realism so I modelled up an electrical conduit in real scale and stuck it in the top right corner. It’s barely noticeable but that’s exactly what I was going for.

Check out the screenshots of the Blender layout in the gallery below to get an idea of how the image was made.

Gallery - Making Graphics For Our Website

I’ve also included some screenshots of the Fusion 360 models I’ve used to create other graphics on our website. Hopefully some of you might find them interesting.

If you’re interested in learning Fusion 360’s modelling with text or rendering features, check out the video below. It’s a simple tutorial for beginners and we’ll go through the steps used to create the Lannix Design logo.

See how the Lannix Design logo was made on our YouTube channel

For those interested in learning animation in Blender, check out this video to learn the basics in a tutorial aimed at beginners.

Subscribe to our channel to keep up with the shenanigans at Lannix Design!

Until next week, Byeee!

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AI Vehicle Camera Mount – Take 2: Part II

Nick — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 21:30:33 +0000

The AI camera frame has been mounted to the Arrayen Suzuki Jimny and we’re all very happy with the result. The guys have sent over some pics for me to share with you and have reported that it is rigid and strong which has inspired confidence in its ability to keep the very expensive 360° camera safe.

There was talk of getting the aluminium frame powder-coated but as we all know, time is money and the camera was needed for a job before that could happen. It would look neat coated black to match the camera and roof-racks but for now the bare aly frame will be durable enough.

The Jimny looks tip top wrapped in the Arrayen company logo and with the camera mounting frame fitted.

The finished camera frame fitted to the Arrayen Jimny.

Thanks to Brett at Koda metal for the top notch fabrication work. Check out his Instagram below. Check out the Arrayen website too. They do some really interesting work with AI using data collected by drone and the vehicle mounted camera you see here.

Gallery - AI Vehicle Camera Mount - Take 2: Part II

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Designing Our Logo In Fusion 360

Nick — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 21:30:38 +0000

This week we’ve uploaded a video where you can learn how to use the text function and render a logo in Autodesk Fusion 360. You may find inspiration for your own logo and realize the versatility of using text in 3D modeling.

Stay tuned for the next installment where we export the 3D model to Blender to really amp up the rendering!

Subscribe to our channel to keep up with the shenanigans at Lannix Design!

Check out the link from our YouTube channel

A screenshot of the model after it was exported and tweaked in Blender

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AI Vehicle Camera Mount – Take 2

Nick — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 21:30:39 +0000

My friends at Arrayen who do infrastructure monitoring using AI have asked me design a custom frame for their 360° camera. You may have seen the first post where we came up with a simple fix for the cheap frame that they already had for the camera. Well it turns out that that frame is a little flimsy for what they need causing the camera footage to be shaky and unusable.

So I was put to task again to come up with a solution that would be rigid enough for them to use. They now had custody of a new vehicle that would be used for data acquisition, a Suzuki Jimny. The Jimny has a roof rack fitted that the new frame would be mounted to, so I took some measurements and got stuck into it.

Test fitting the new frame on the Arrayen Jimny.

The original camera frame that was too flimsy.

The design is simple enough, bolting onto the rack between rungs. The top plate is designed to the two camera mounts that Arrayen have for the camera, a rigid one for smooth terrain and one that has built-in damping to isolate the camera from the cars vibrations. I’d say the dampened one will be used most of the time, with the rigid one as a backup.

I enlisted the help of a gun fabricator, Brett, who I used to work with in a previous job. He was keen to take on the job and came through with a great looking frame for us. Check out his Instagram below. He does some amazing work.

We’re all very happy with the result and I’m looking forward to getting some more pics later with the frame installed permanently and the Suzuki vinyl wrapped with the Arrayen livery. Check out their website if you’re in need of asset management using the latest AI tech.

Gallery - AI Vehicle Camera Mount - Take 2

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Emmet’s Room Sign

Nick — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 21:30:38 +0000

When my son was born it was the best thing that had ever happened to me. He inspires me to keep going with my work in the hope that I’ll make him proud to be my son.

A fun little project I decided to build was a bedroom door sign for him inspired by the Back To The Future movies. I’d been experimenting with colour changing 3D printing and since I already had the colours it was a no-brainer. Being a more artistic style 3D model it presented some challenges and required the use of Blender to post-process before printing but overall it was an enjoyable project.

I made a YouTube short that skimmed over the process of making the sign so check it out if you’re interested.

EDIT: I’ve entered the model in the ‘Typography Fun!’ competition on Printables.com. Click the Printables logo below to take a look at the model on their site and download if your named Emmet or know someone with the name!

Check out the link from our YouTube channel

Gallery - Emmet's Room Door Sign

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Design For 3D Printing – CAD Tips

Nick — Tue, 02 May 2023 21:30:06 +0000

As 3D printing becomes more and more popular, it’s important to keep in mind some key design considerations that are specific to CAD when designing for 3D printing. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the most important things to keep in mind when designing for 3D printing.

Wall Thickness and Material

When designing for 3D printing, it’s important to keep in mind the wall thickness and the material that you’ll be using. The wall thickness should be at least 0.8 mm in order for the object to be strong enough. The distance between walls must be between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm, otherwise, the walls will collapse or the object will be brittle.

The filament spool storage tower was designed using the concepts described. Some out-of-the-box thinking was needed to pull it off.

Consider Orientation and Support Structures

When you design a 3D printing model, you need to think about the orientation of the model as well as the support structure for that model. The orientation or direction of printing allows for the right layer strength and adhesion. Support structures can be used to avoid issues that may arise in the printing process. This will help increase the strength and durability of the finished product, and will ensure that the print runs successfully without any issues. Well-spaced support structures can also help speed up the printing process, allowing you to create your 3D designs faster.

Use CAD Software that can Handle 3D Printing

When designing for 3D printing, it’s essential to use CAD software that can handle 3D printing. This software can help you create models that can quickly be printed with accuracy required for 3D printing. The best CAD software will allow you to create intricate designs with precision, and give you the ability to make adjustments and edits when necessary. I recommend Fusion 360 or Onshape for the hobbyist.

Choose the Right Printing Process

There are various types of 3D printing processes available, and you’ll want to choose one that is best suited to your needs. You can choose between Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), Stereo Lithography (SLA) and Digital Light Processing (DLP). Each process has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to choose the right one based on your specific design requirements.

The plastic parts in our end table design needed to be easily 3D printed and maintain the angle and position of the timber legs.

Consider the Printing Material

The type of material you select for 3D printing is an important consideration when designing for 3D printing. The material will impact the quality of the final product, and you should choose a material that is strong and durable enough for your needs. Some materials are also more resistant to wear and tear, and those could be a better fit for certain applications.

Final Thoughts

Designing for 3D printing requires a specific set of skills and knowledge. By keeping these considerations in mind, you can ensure that your CAD designs are optimized for 3D printing, and that your finished product is of high quality and meets the desired standards. With the right software, materials, and processes, you’ll be able to create stunning 3D models that meet all of your design needs.

Gallery - CAD For 3D Printing

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We Are Australian Made & Owned

Nick — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 21:30:37 +0000

If you need CAD work, 3D printed parts or both, we can help. We can supply vector graphics files for laser cutting and engineering diagrams for your project. All of our 3D printed parts are produced using Australian made filament. Let us know how we can help you today!

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Arcade Racing Machine – Part 1

Nick — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 21:30:54 +0000

Sim racing is a hobby of mine but I haven’t had the time or the space to get involved with it for a few years. The recent house move has me thinking I should get back into it so I’ve been working on a design for a frame to house all the components necessary.

Considerations

I have a frame that I built over ten years ago that is ergonomically perfect but it just doesn’t look that pretty. I’ll use the chassis and seat setup for the new rig with some major modifications to the appearance.

Render of the CAD model work in progress

Cut-away version of the CAD model work in progress

The house has an area downstairs that will become a home bar/rumpus room and so the sim rig should look like an arcade machine. The bar room will have a dive bar theme to it so the machine should look like an older style arcade game. My partner and I both agree that it needs to look cool if it’s going to live in the bar.

The machine will run a Sony PS4, 32 inch TV and Logitech G923 racing wheel, pedals and gearstick to start with. Ideally the cabinet/frame should be designed in a way that allows upgrading of any of the tech components later should the need arise, e.g. PS5/gaming PC, 4K monitor and a direct drive racing wheel. The cabinet needs to house a 5.1 channel speaker setup with the subwoofer preferably under the seat.

The frame should be rigid enough to withstand the torque of the force feedback racing wheel.

The machine needs to have a cooling fan setup for both the tech hardware and the the driver. There needs to be a ducting system like that found in a real car to direct air to the driver’s face and feet. 3D printed parts will used where possible for custom ducting.

The seat and steering wheel must be adjustable so that kids and adults can both use the machine comfortably. The original rig was built to the dimensions of a real car which worked well so this one will be too.

The cabinet should be built in modular sections to allow it to be moved easily if need be. Castors will be used on the heavier modules to assist movement.

Custom designed manifold to direct air from the cooling fan to where it’s needed (WIP).

The dashboard featuring speakers, ventilation and controls.

Design

The design process has been going on whenever I have a spare hour or so although progress has slowed during the house renovation and moving process.

The cabinet itself will be made from 18mm MDF board which is perfect for this sort of application. The edges will be covered with old fashioned plastic T strip to protect it and give it the old arcade machine look.

Most of the parts such as fans and speakers have been acquired so that they can be measured up and incorporated into the design. Ducting has been modelled for directing air and sound within the cabinet and will be 3D printed. I’ll go into all the finer details in a future post as it is still a work in progress.

I’m not happy with the design as it is now and I think I’ll try to integrate the side pods more into the rear pod as I think it looks a little broken up or something. It seems I have some time to get this finalized anyway since I don’t have a workshop at the moment.

As far as the paint job goes, let’s say anyone who’s a fan of historic JDM racing cars will recognise the paint scheme I have in mind for it. I’m not going to reveal it just yet but I think it will look great as long as I have the cabinet looking right first.

What Now?

The plan was to build a shed in the backyard soon after moving in which will have a workshop and plenty of storage. It seems that everyone wants a shed at the moment so we’re told this will be a six month wait. Therefore, unfortunately all projects such as this are limited to the design phase only as the area under the house where I plan to operate the design and 3D printing business is full of furniture and moving boxes.

It’s a bit of a sad note to end the blog on but on the plus side, it gives me plenty of time to plan out the workshop layouts and acquire some of the harder to get parts for these projects. I’m back to blogging every week now so stay tuned for more articles you may be interested in. Check out our socials and subscribe to our newsletter if you want to. No pressure!

The current state of the workshop under the house…

Gallery - Arcade Racing Machine - Design

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Industrial Gearbox Project

Nick — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 21:30:15 +0000

One of my favourite projects from my time at university was the industrial gearbox design from my third year. At last it was a chance to apply the mathematical knowledge acquired in earlier classes to a project that an actual mechanical engineer could be faced with on the job.

The assignment specs included operating conditions, layout configurations and the application that the gearbox would be used. Each student was given a different combination of the above in an effort to reduce plagiarism.

The finished 3D gearbox model with the cover removed.

Hard at work in the final stages of the assignment.

The application I was given was a dual stage conveyor belt setup in an open cut mine in a tropical region. It was to be used in a dusty environment in a temperature range of 20˚ to 45˚C and humidity between 70 and 95%. The gearbox required a dual stage speed reduction and a 90˚ bevel gear on one of those stages.

The assignment also required that a 3D model be produced to showcase the design and that it have no errors. I was glad that I’d taught myself how to use SolidWorks in my first year and witnessed many students struggling to get their models to work.

I found the assignment to be most interesting. Australian standards were referenced during the design process which, like most government documents, required interpretation. A master spreadsheet was produced with all stress calculations which gave the optimal sizes and material for the gears and shafts.

The final assignment document came out at 60 pages plus the spreadsheet which included chosen bearing specs, lubrication, sealing, justification for gear shaping, fits & tolerances and environmental considerations.

For anyone who’s interested, I’ve included some of the calculations involved in developing the gear sets in the gallery below. Please feel free to contact me if you’re interested in the gearbox.

Until next time!

The finished model with added accessories for transportation.

CAD – Lannix Design

Newsletter Q4 2023 Is Out!

See more of our work

Making Graphics For Our Website

Gallery - Making Graphics For Our Website

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AI Vehicle Camera Mount – Take 2: Part II

Gallery - AI Vehicle Camera Mount - Take 2: Part II

See more of our work

Designing Our Logo In Fusion 360

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AI Vehicle Camera Mount – Take 2

Gallery - AI Vehicle Camera Mount - Take 2

See more of our work

Emmet’s Room Sign

Gallery - Emmet's Room Door Sign

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Design For 3D Printing – CAD Tips

Wall Thickness and Material

Consider Orientation and Support Structures

Use CAD Software that can Handle 3D Printing

Choose the Right Printing Process

Consider the Printing Material

Final Thoughts

Gallery - CAD For 3D Printing

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We Are Australian Made & Owned

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Arcade Racing Machine – Part 1

Considerations

Design

What Now?

Gallery - Arcade Racing Machine - Design

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Industrial Gearbox Project

Gallery - Industrial Gearbox Design

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