Modelling

Conceptual Modelling

 A model that exists in the mind used to help us know and understand ideas.

• a model of concepts or ideas (abstract) that exist in the mind.

• used to help us know and understand, design thinking, ideas, casual relationships, principles, data, systems, algorithms or processes.

• used to illustrate relationships that is in the designers mind to others.

• able to help explain the thinking behind new ideas.

• able to help us to communicate with other members of design team, manufacturer or client.

• able to help us visualise ideas through graphic, physical and virtual models.

Graphical Model

A visualization of an idea, often created on paper or through software, in two or three dimensions.

Physical Model

The creation of a smaller or larger tangible version of an object that can be physically interacted with.

Virtual Model

Photorealistic CAD-based interactive models that use surface and solid modelling. They can be considered ‘digital mock-ups’.

Projection Drawings

Systems of drawings that are accurately drawn, the two main types are isometric projection (formal drawing technique) and orthographic projection (working drawing technique).

Scale Drawings

Drawings that are bigger or smaller than the real product, but exactly in proportion with product.

Working Drawings

Drawings that are used to guide the production of a product, most commonly orthographical projection, section drawings, part drawings, assembly drawings and plan drawings.

Isometric Drawing/Projection

• A type of drawing that depicts the proposed solution in 3D showing shape and form.

• They are drawn on a 30/90/30 degree axis.

Exploded Isometric Drawing

An isometric drawing of an object with more than one component that depicts how the parts of assemblies fit together.

Perspective drawing

A set of formal drawing techniques that depicts an object as getting smaller and closer together the further away they are. The techniques are one-point perspective, two-point perspective, and three-point perspective.

Assembly Drawing

A diagram that shows how components fit together to make a whole.drawings Typically presented in an exploded view.

Parts (Component) Drawing

Orthographic drawings of the components of an assembly containing details just about that component.

Sketches

Rough drawings of ideas used to convey or refine the idea.

Formal drawing technique

A type of drawing technique that has fixed rules, the most widely used being isometric projection and perspective drawing.

Scale Models

A model that is either a smaller or larger physical copy of an object.

Aesthetic models

A model developed to look and feel like the final product.

Mock-ups

A scale or full-size representation of a product used to gain feedback from users.

Prototypes

A sample or model built to test a concept or process, or to act as an object to be replicated or learned from. Prototypes can be developed at a range of fidelity and for different contexts.

Fidelity

The degree to which a prototype is exactly like the final product.

Instrumented Model

Prototypes that are equipped with the ability to take measurements to provide accurate quantitative feedback for analysis.

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

The use of computers to aid the design process.

Advantages of CAD

• Changes to ideas can be made quickly and easily.

• Communicate with client, manufacture more easily.

• Electronically transferred.

• Avoid costly mistakes.

• Reduce costs as extra prototypes are not needed.

• Saves time through efficient work practises.

• High accuracy/fidelity.

Disadvantages of CAD

• Software/Hardware costs.

• Special training needed.

• Steep learning curve.

Surface Modelling

A realistic picture of the final model, offering some machining data. Surface models contain no data about the interior of the part. 

Solid Modelling

Solid models are clear representations of the final part. They provide a complete set of data for the product to be realized.

Top down Modelling

design is a product development process obtained through 3D, parametric and associative CAD systems. The main feature of this new method is that the design originates as a concept and gradually evolves into a complete product consisting of components and sub-assemblies.

Bottom Up Modelling

A designer creates part geometry independent of the assembly or any modelling other component. Although there are often some design criteria established before modelling the part, this information is not shared between models. Once all parts are completed, they are brought together for the first time in the assembly.