Ghost Clip

My Partner: Daniel Labunski

Lesson plan: Our goal was to recreate a ghost clip model that we were given. Our job was to make it with accuracy to the model and accuracy to our partner. We were tasked with trying to use the tools of solidworks effectively and making sure that we followed all of the steps closely. 

Assembly:  We made sure to follow all of the steps we made at the beginning of the project and to change it if we did anything different in solid works. 

Constraint Box: Use the rectangle tool to make a 6 x 13 cm box, make sure to add construction lines from midpoints and to start the rectangle from the origin. Mark the whole rectangle “for construction.”

Bottom Triangles:

• Add a construction line 1 cm off the bottom of the constraint box
• From point A, using the line tool, draw a line segment to point B. From there, using an automatic perpendicular relation keep drawing the line segment to point C, and repeat to reach point D.
• Using the mirror tool, along the centerline, reflect the line segments AB/BC/CD to the other side to complete the ‘triangles.’

Top Arcs:

• Add a construction line 0.6cm off the top of constraint box
• Draw a three point arc. Center on point X, second point on the top of the constraint box, third point on the construction line. Dimension the diameter of the arc, attach the ‘left-most’ point of the arc (that's on the construction line) to the constraint box (where it meets the construction line).
• Repeat the same process as in step 6, however this time make three arcs on points Y, W, and U. Instead of dimensioning the diameter of the arc, add a manual relation making the arc equal to arc X. Attach the leftmost point of the arc to the right-most point of the arc preceding it.

Eyes: 

• add construction geometry off the top ~2.9cm~
• Draw circle Z on the construction line with proper dimensions
• Mirror circle Z onto the other side to make circle P.

Mouth:

• add construction lines, top of the mouth, line going through the points where the mouth starts to go to a point, and construction geometry for bottom tip of the mouth (on the inside)
• Create line segments MNO, dimension the points from the edge of the constraint box, make M and N vertical to each other
• mirror MNO onto other side of centerline
• Offset MNO out to create width of the mouth and cap ends.

• Double check dimensions, lock everything down, and delete excess geometry from the constraint box. Minimize smart dimensions using reference geometry

Design Choices: Our first step in creating the ghost clip was making a 2D model. We created an accurate model of the ghost clip by tracing and measuring it with a ruler. Our sketch was to scale and included all of the necessary measurements. We made sure to use precision in our measurements as to not mess us up later in the process of making the ghost clip.

We then moved to SolidWorks. Our first step was to establish the constraint box. We then proceeded to construct the bottom triangles using the line tool and manual relations. However, we quickly realized that this approach was not optimal. Fortunately, we discovered that SolidWorks offered automatic perpendicular relations, ensuring precise triangles. This prompted us to revise our plan accordingly.

Moving on, our focus shifted to the top circles. Initially, we attempted to create equal arcs but soon realized the method was flawed. As a solution, we switched to the three-point arc and utilized manual relations to secure the desired positions. Additionally, we employed smart dimensions to fine-tune the circles, making for an accurate replication of the original design.

Lastly, when designing the eyes, we initially intended to create two separate circles due to uncertainty regarding the functionality of the mirror tool. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the mirror tool worked perfectly with the eyes. We proceeded to incorporate smart dimensions and update our plan accordingly.

The last step we did was the mouth and it went to plan. Once we completed the mouth we made sure we had the same dimensions and we made sure our ghost clip was similar to the example. Finally we submitted and waited for our ghosts clips to be printed. While ours were slightly different from each others and both slightly different from the example we did a good job and we knew what we had messed up on. 

Assembly Instruction: None