Week 3: Getting started in CAD

I have begun modeling the chassis in Onshape, laying out the foundational geometry that will serve as the base for both the Double Wishbone and Trailing Arm suspension configurations. I chose Onshape over Fusion for this project because Onshape better supports large assemblies with many moving parts. Getting the chassis right from the start means that both suspension systems will share identical mounting points and structural dimensions, ensuring that any performance differences observed during testing can be attributed to the suspension geometry itself and not inconsistencies in the build.

Every joint placement and mounting bracket must be carefully thought through before anything is sent to the printer, because errors at this stage are much easier to fix on a screen than on a physical part. As the chassis model develops, the next steps will involve designing the interchangeable suspension arms and running preliminary simulations to check for clearance and range of motion issues. Unfortunately, my image isn’t uploading at the moment. Pictures and more updates to come as the design progresses.