Concepts to Creations: The New and Improved CAD Club

We are thrilled to announce the second year of the 3D design club at Alsion. Nicknamed CADventure, it’s run by students with experience in a professional-grade CAD software called Fusion 360.

By: Aashi Mehrotra and Aryan Bachu 

This past Friday the thirteenth, traditionally considered an unlucky day, CADventure kicked off with a successful and promising first meeting. The club, which focuses on computer-aided design (CAD), teaches students to conceptualize, design, and bring their ideas to life using Fusion 360. After completing their digital creations, members get to transform their designs into physical creations using the school’s 3D printer. This hands-on experience is critical to CADventure’s mission: introducing students to the world of engineering by providing them with one of the most powerful and versatile tools in the field: Fusion 360. Combining engineering skills with creative expression, CADventure offers students a platform to turn their concepts into creations! 

However, the club has not been without its share of hardships; last year, it faced many challenges, including inadequate resources and limited time. Given the club began in February, which was quite a late launch, it is unsurprising that there was insufficient membership and time to teach the full curriculum. In response, an early start was implemented this year, resulting in an increase in attendance, now totaling 10 students, in comparison to the 5 last year. The 3D printer was broken last year, limiting club meetings to CAD instruction. In contrast, this year, the club leaders have managed to repair the machine, and bought an assortment of filament types and colors, allowing members to have more freedom in their design. During lessons, the 3D printer stays running in the back of the classroom to engage and incentivize students.

CADventure is run by both of us—Aashi and Aryan—as co-presidents. While I (Aashi) have been working on Fusion 360 since the 6th grade, Aryan has been using onshape, a browser CAD software, for the past 2 years. Friday meetings are supervised by Mr. Alex, Alsion’s science teacher, and are held weekly. The club hopes to enroll in 3D design and CAD competitions once members are proficient in using Fusion 360. From then on, CADventure can successfully continue under our leadership for the next three years. With renewed energy and improved resources, CADventure continues to flourish as a pillar of the Alsion STEM community.

[Matt Stultz/Prusa Research]