This object has been designed for the 3D McGill MiniFactory contest sponsored by Lulzbot.

I am a mechanical engineering student at McGill University and when I learned about this competition, I was inspired to represent my faculty as a whole. At McGill, the mechanical engineering department covers four specializations that are of particular interest to me: mechatronics, biomedical, energy and aerospace. For my design to be as complete as possible, I knew I had to regroup these four research areas in a single aesthetic model that represents both innovation and accomplishment.

Concept

Mechatronics and robotics are increasingly present in the engineering world as more processes become automatized each year. This concept is represented as an articulated robotic arm which holds every other component together. The shape was designed to mimic a human arm.

Biomedical engineering, a rapidly evolving speciality and a personal favorite, is the next branch I decided to embody. Prostheses, historically static, can now replace complex organs such as a hand or a heart. In the model, this contemporary motion is substituted by an assembly of four muscles, mimicking the appearance of biceps and triceps.

Energy engineering is currently on the spotlight with global warming and electric cars. This sector is emblematized by the nuclear symbol since I believe that this type of energy will become the best suited for our needs.

Last but not least, Aerospace engineering, a popular field of work here in Montreal, is represented by the Discovery Shuttle. No other object can illustrate aerospace accomplishment like this vehicle. This shuttle was also used during my whole childhood and it is one of the reasons that motivated me to become an engineer.

With all the specializations covered, this final model represents perfectly my view of McGill’s  mechanical engineering department and is simple enough to be exposed in a student room.

Hope you enjoy it!

Print description

This model is printed as three different components that are easily connectable with pin joint snap-fit connectors. This type of joint allows the second arm to rotate freely and the shuttle to spin.

The prints were spray painted in white and then colored with standard ink pens.