CAD Holster Pro

Inspiration

Our project was inspired by a previous design concept, leading us to create a more refined prototype. Initially, we developed a belt holster to hold a gadget we called the "CADarang," modeled after the iconic Batarang. This design aimed to address MDL Man’s kidnapping scenario by functioning as a boomerang and cutting tool, allowing him to free himself from restraints and fend off villains. However, we later reimagined the CADarang into a more practical device: a portable mouse holder, aligning with task 2, which focused on creating a CAD-on-the-go solution. The idea evolved when a teammate suggested incorporating a USB plug into the original design, resulting in a simple yet functional tool for CAD users.

What it does

Our final solution, the CAD Holster Pro, is a portable, comfortable, and user-friendly belt holster designed to equip MDL Man with all the essential tools for CAD work on the go. The holster includes a dedicated space for a mouse (12 cm x 5 cm x 4 cm, adjustable dimensions), a USB-A port, an SD card slot, and two compartments to hold Bluetooth and real ink pens. The CAD Holster Pro goes beyond a standard mouse holder by thoughtfully addressing the additional tools that any CAD user might require, ensuring convenience and versatility in one compact design.

How we built it

To ensure accurate support, we researched the dimensions of one of the mouse we were working with and used this information to design a stable base. We then created a layer that wraps around the mouse, carefully adjusting the offset to provide a secure grip while allowing for easy removal from the holster. Next, we developed the mechanism that attaches the holster to a belt, ensuring durability and practicality. Finally, we focused on aesthetic details and additional features, such as integrating ports and other functional elements, to enhance the overall design.

Challenges we ran into

Our biggest challenge in developing the CAD Holster Pro was adapting to a significant change in concept midway through the prototyping process. As mentioned earlier, the idea shifted entirely from one challenge to another, which made creating the slides and prototype a time-consuming and often frustrating task. Additionally, we encountered technical difficulties during the printing phase, as many components initially failed to hold together as intended. Despite these setbacks, we worked collaboratively to address and resolve each challenge, ultimately completing the project successfully as a team.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

As this was our first Designathon, we are incredibly proud of our team’s ability to collaborate and iterate effectively to develop our final concept. We efficiently divided tasks and established an equal and productive workflow, which helped us avoid additional complications along the way. We are also proud of our use of Autodesk Inventor, leveraging the software to bring our ideas to life while continuously learning and improving our skills throughout the day.

What we learned

As a team, we believe our most significant learning goals centered on idea generation and iterative design. While it’s relatively straightforward to CAD a provided multiview sketch, we faced the challenge of developing our own design, determining measurements, and creating assembly files. This process involved exploring multiple ideas and iterations, which taught us the value of learning from mistakes and persevering under time constraints. We also thoroughly enjoyed the workshops and challenges offered during the two days of the Designathon. These experiences enhanced our understanding of rendering, pitching, and other tools we might not typically consider when CADING. The DUO and blindfold challenges were especially fun, and we are excited about the prospect of returning next year.

What's next for DESIGNATHON

The CAD Holster Pro could be continued to be improved on, adding more components and gadgets that the MDL man could use for his superhero journey. We believe it is a design that could be easily expanded on. Our team experience in this event was good, it was fun to work as a team for such a long time period. We can say that we used and improved our CAD skill by working in the different challenges, workshops and the main design project. We hope we can participate in the next Designathon. Thank you to the Designathon team for all their work.

Built With

• inventor