Why Skateboard?
Skating with my Dad since I was in 3rd grade, cruising on a longboard or cruisers is one of my favorite activities. So when asked to design 3D model products and in both my mechanical engineering and digital design class, I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about both sides of this unique community. The passion that goes into both customizing for optimal function and aesthetics that speaks to the user are both something I am deeply passionately about. Enjoy a look into both of these projects.
March 2023 - Digital Solid Modeling Design Project
Modeled in SOLIDWORKS and rendered in Keyshot, these skateboards were custom made parks and designed for traveling college students on the go that don’t have space for long boards. The artwork is that of the legendary Mary Blair, one of my artistic inspirations for her use of color.
Skateboard Reverse Engineering Project
October 2022
Inspired by my own cruising skateboard, for my Design of Machine Elements class I decided to reverse engineer a 3D model skateboard in SolidWorks in order to analyze the mechanical elements. This model was created with original parts as well as CAD designs from the screws, nuts, and washers found on McMaster-Carr. Mechanical advantage calculations were done on the three main simple machines used in the skateboard: lever for the kick of the board, the wheel and axles, and the screw fasteners. Below you can see the reference images and the final SolidWorks assembly.
Bottom View
Section View
Top View
Get a Closer Look
These subassembly exploded views give a closer look at both the wheel and axle and the trucks that connect the wheels to the deck of the board. For more information on each exploded view hit the + for the drop down.
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Four of these subassemblies were constructed for the skateboard model with nuts, bearings, wheels, and washers all used to allow for rotation for the trucks.
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One of the two truck subassemblies composed of four screws, four nuts, one unique baseplate, two bushings, one hanger, and one kingpin.