• Calculating Moments

    A moment on a lever arm is just another word for torque — the rotational equivalent of force acting on a bar or pivoted arm. To calculate moments, we add up all the torques and use the principle of rotational equilibrium to determine unknown forces. In static systems, the sum of clockwise moments equals the sum of…

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  • Calculating Beam Deflection

    When working with robots and long end-of-arm tools, it’s essential to understand how much the tool will deflect under load. Excessive deflection can cause positioning errors, stress on joints, or tool misalignment. For cantilevered structures (like a tool extending from a robot arm), we use the following formula for beam deflection: 📐 Cantilever Beam Deflection Formula δ=(PL^3)/(3EI)…

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  • Drawing Templates

    Starting with the right drawing template is essential for maintaining consistency, clarity, and efficiency in your documentation. A solid foundation can save time and prevent errors down the line—especially in a collaborative engineering environment. Below, I’ve linked downloadable SolidWorks drawing templates for both the first sheet and second sheet formatted for legal size paper (8.5…

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  • Efficient Part Nesting with Deepnest.io

    If you’re working with subtractive manufacturing processes like laser cutting, CNC routing, or vinyl cutting, nesting your parts efficiently is critical for minimizing material waste and reducing machine time. One of the best tools I’ve found for this purpose is Deepnest.io, a free and open-source nesting application that works on both Windows and macOS. What…

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