SMEG Solidworks Model
PROJECT INFO
Role: Industrial Designer
Timeline: 2 weeks, Spring 2024
Tools: Solidworks
WHY A COFFEE MACHINE?
As a self proclaimed coffee aficionado (and warm beverage enjoyer of any kind), as well as a fan of good-looking products, I chose to roughly recreate the SMEG drip coffee maker (pictured on the right)
THE PROJECT
For my Computer Aided Product Design (ES19) class, we were instructed to model a project of our choosing from scratch with at least 5 parts, and at least 1 dynamic part. As the final step, animated the process to demonstrate how the parts come together and how they move.
Research
For this project, I didn’t have access to a physical SMEG drip coffee machine to take precise measurements. Instead, I based my model on the few measurements provided on the SMEG website, such as the overall height, and used images and videos to approximate the proportions and details. To accurately model the internal components, I conducted thorough research into coffee filtration devices, watching take-apart videos on YouTube and studying engineering drawings. Using these resources as reference, I recreated the interior mechanism of the coffee maker in SolidWorks, focusing on achieving both functional accuracy and visual detail.
01.
Sketches
These are sketches from my notebook documenting the modeling process. They capture key moments from ideation and deciding on which coffee machine to model, to evaluating the necessary parts, and making scratch notes as I experimented with measurements and proportions.
Challenges
One of the challenges I encountered was approximating complex geometries without exact measurements. To overcome this, I iteratively refined the dimensions based on visual references, ensuring the model was both aesthetically accurate and structurally sound.
Front View
To the left is a front view of the SMEG machine, similar to how you might see it on the website
Side View
The side view showcases the drip coffee maker's distinct shape as well as the water gague and switch
Transparent
The transparent view mode allows you to see the parts I modeled on the inside of the machine, including the heating system at the bottom, water tank, filter basket and the lid parts
Opened
This view allows you to see the top of the machine with the water hose, tank opening and filter basket
Animation
The animation I created showcases the full extent of the project, demonstrating how each part that I modeled fits together in the full assembly.
Reflections
This final project for the class was incredibly rewarding, as it allowed me to create something that felt real and tangible. While previous assignments were primarily exercises to develop proficiency with the software, this project offered a chance to apply my skills to a real-world scenario, which was both exciting and fulfilling. I loved seeing my progress come to life through the design and modeling process.
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This project deepened my understanding of both product design and 3D modeling, challenging me to problem-solve and adapt without direct access to physical resources. It not only honed my technical skills but also reinforced my passion for creating practical, real-world designs.