How to Design Bottle Grippers Using 3D CAD Software
Design surrounds us in subtle but powerful ways, shaping how we interact with the objects we use every day. Take the simple act of opening a bottle: while it seems ordinary, it can quickly become frustrating without the right grip or tool. A bottle gripper solves this problem by providing extra hold, comfort, and efficiency. What makes this even more exciting today is the ability to design such tools ourselves using modern 3D modeling software. SelfCAD, an all-in-one, browser-based design program, makes this process accessible to anyone, whether you are a student, hobbyist, or aspiring product designer. Unlike traditional CAD software, SelfCAD combines simplicity with versatility, offering tools that allow you to sketch, shape, and refine objects in a highly visual way. Designing a bottle gripper in SelfCAD is not just about creating a useful object; it is also an exercise in understanding ergonomics, precision, and creativity. This tutorial will take you step by step through the process, showing how digital design can transform a simple idea into a practical, ready-to-use product
To access the interactive tutorial to this article, check out; https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials/562nh4e3w3y2a1x1tm2kbz6m6d616e81w3i2
Once you’ve launched the editor;
From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cylinder; Set height to 25, vertical segments to 128, arc to 260, rotation y to -130
Tick the checkmark to finalize cylinder
From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cylinder; Set top radius to 40, bottom radius to 40, vertical segments to 128, position z to -10
Tick the checkmark to finalize cylinder
Click on mesh 4 to select it
Click Boolean on the toolbar; from the tool panel choose difference, Choose mesh 8 to subtract.
Tick the checkmark to finalize difference
From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cylinder; Set top radius to 5, bottom radius to 5, height to 25, vertical segments to 128, position x to -35, position z to -38
Tick the checkmark to finalize cylinder
From the right panel choose cube selection. Set front to 5
Tick the checkmark to finalize cube selection
Click move on the toolbar; Set z to -55.5 using highlighted gizmo
Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel
Click on highlighted region to deselect it
From the utilities category on the toolbar choose mirror; Set create copy to true, direction to right, offset to 30.
Tick the checkmark to finalize mirror
Click highlighted part on selection cube to turn off region selection
Click on mesh 12(1), difference 1 to select; Click Boolean on the toolbar; From the tool panel choose union.
Tick the checkmark to finalize union
Click move on the toolbar; Set x to -300, z to -8.46 using highlighted gizmo
Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel
From the tools category on the toolbar choose copy offsets; Set x to 120, amount of copies to 5, Click copy button to create copies.
Click ‘x’ to close copy offsets panel
From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cube; Set width to 700, height to 50, depth to 15, position z to 40.
Tick the checkmark finalize cube
Click inverse selection button to inverse selection
Click move on the toolbar; Set y to 12, z to -8.46
Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel
Click on mesh 16 to select it
Click Boolean on the toolbar; From the tool panel choose union.
Tick the checkmark to finalize union
Click rotate on the toolbar; Set x to -90
Click scale on the toolbar; Set x to 350, y to 105.5
Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel
As you continue honing your design skills, remember that SelfCAD offers a wealth of resources to support your learning journey. To deepen your understanding and explore more advanced features, consider checking out the interactive tutorials (https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials) available on the SelfCAD website. The tutorials page provides a treasure trove of guides, tips, and tricks that cater to designers of all levels.
More structured learning experience can also be accessed at the SelfCAD Academy (https://www.selfcad.com/academy/curriculum/), https://www.youtube.com/@3dmodeling101, and 3D Modeling 101 series (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL74nFNT8yS9DcE1UlUUdiR1wFGv9DDfTB). This comprehensive resource offers in-depth courses taught by industry experts, allowing you to master the intricacies of SelfCAD at your own pace
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