Simple Steam Crane - 3D CAD Modeling & Assembly

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:

Complete 3D mechanical modeling and assembly of a "𝗦𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗘" reverse-engineered from original blueprints. Modeled entirely in SolidWorks, this project demonstrates advanced CAD capabilities and complex assembly management.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:

• ​𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: The blueprint contains over 63 unique machined parts. Organizing these into logical sub-assemblies (like the winch frames, boiler setups, and crane base) without any mating conflicts required strict assembly discipline.

• ​𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗥𝗼𝗽𝗲 & 𝗣𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Simulating the mechanical rigging—specifically routing the lifting rope from the winch drum through the top jib pulleys and boom stay rods—is notoriously tricky in a CAD environment, requiring precise path alignments.

• ​𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺𝘀: Accurately mating the intermediate and drum gear wheels to ensure realistic motion transmission, alongside modeling the reversing disc and linkage systems.

• ​𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀: Designing the boiler steam pipes, exhaust pipes, and check valves while maintaining the exact dimensional tolerances required for the original design’s press fits and silver-soldered joints.