Learning Targets
- Use sketches or CAD layout to plan the mechanism structure.
- Identify important dimensions, clearances, and mounting locations.
- Check whether the layout supports construction and motion.
IED Unit 4 • Lesson 4.13
CAD Planning and Assembly Layout
Focus question: How can CAD planning prepare a mechanism for physical construction?
Your lesson guide
Objective
Use sketches or CAD layout to plan the mechanism structure. Identify important dimensions, clearances, and mounting locations. Check whether the layout supports construction and motion.
Materials
For the online work: a browser and your engineering notebook. Follow the activity’s materials list for any physical build, and get teacher approval before using equipment.
Plan your time
Suggested work block: 45–60 minutes. Physical builds and projects may span several classes; follow your teacher’s schedule.
Mission Briefing
Today’s Plan
Use this page with the lesson presentation, your engineering notebook, and the tools or evidence assigned for Create the CAD Assembly Layout.
Success Looks Like
You can use CAD planning to define part placement, spacing, and assembly relationships before building.
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Opening Prompt
How can CAD planning prepare a mechanism for physical construction?
Connect your response to the decision, evidence, or quality standard required for Create the CAD Assembly Layout.
Reveal: useful engineering move
This lesson is ready to move forward when the evidence meets this standard: The layout demonstrates that the planned subsystems can occupy the same prototype without obvious interference.
Core Skill
What We Are Practicing
CAD planning reduces guessing during physical construction.
Spacing, mounting points, and clearances affect whether mechanisms move freely.
A layout should be checked before materials are cut or printed.
Your Task
Create the CAD Assembly Layout
Translate the selected architecture into a spatial CAD plan that establishes component locations, clearances, and mounting needs.
- Create the main layout or envelope.
- Place simplified representations of major components.
- Identify interfaces, axes, and required motion space.
- Record dimensions that must control detailed modeling.
Quality check: The layout demonstrates that the planned subsystems can occupy the same prototype without obvious interference.
Lesson Interactive
Plan Clearance and Alignment in the CAD Layout
Adjust the assembly layout before detailed modeling so the moving mechanism has room to function.
Gap:
Offset:
Layout status: Interference risk
Target: 1.5 mm motion clearance and 0.0 mm axis offset.
Use the planning controls to create clearance for motion while keeping the rotation axes aligned.
What You Will Submit
CAD Layout Evidence
Submission standard: The layout demonstrates that the planned subsystems can occupy the same prototype without obvious interference.
Resources
Lesson Resources
Lesson 4.13 PowerPoint
Use the lesson slides for guided practice, interactive checks, and the exit ticket.
Introduction to Engineering Design
Return to the IED course hub for units, resources, certifications, and current course information.
Build your lesson report
Checkpoint: is your evidence ready?
- Check calculations, units, labels, and measurements against the activity requirements.
- Record what actually happened, including unexpected results.
- Explain what you changed and why; attach required drawings, photos, CAD, or code in your classroom assignment.
Submit the evidence specified in the activity and your classroom assignment. The report below collects your notes, calculations, observations, and reflections; attach any required drawings, photos, CAD, or code separately.
A PDF download is not a submission. Review it, then upload it and any required attachments through your classroom assignment system.