Community Challenge: Put The P4 In Cad!

I started a project to create an accurate full-size CAD model of the P4, starting with the chassis and working out from there. It was originally for my own amusement, and therefore hasn't progressed very far, but I think there could be a great deal of value in developing a complete model. Depending on your level of optimism with regards to EM, it could be (A) useful for developing ideas for accessories, (B) concepts for alternative vehicle versions, or (C) building your own clone vehicle if EM fails to deliver. I'm calling the project "Plan B."

There is no way that I can do it all on my own, so I would like to throw it open to the enthusiast community to build on the little bit I've been able to do. There is now a great collaboration tool available called Grabcad Workbench. It was a paid service until about a week ago, when Grabcad made it totally free. It is a bit like Dropbox, but adds online CAD viewing, file version tracking, commenting, and other useful tools.
I do all of my work in Solidworks, but if anyone works in another 3D CAD package (Inventor, Pro/E) it is generally easy to convert. Mesh modelers like Sketchup don't translate as well, but mesh models can be useful for reference. 2D CAD (AutoCAD) is also useful and Solidworks has special tools to turn 2D into 3D quickly.
So, is this a project that is only open to people with mad CAD skillz? No! This will be a big project and will need quite a bit of general administration to make work. Off the top of my head, here are some of the tasks that will need doing that aren't in CAD:

• Identify source of off-the-shelf components used in the P4 (what vehicle did they come from?).
• Once off-the-shelf components are identified, visit junkyards / auto parts stores / vehicle owners to get detailed photos and critical measurements to allow accurate CAD models to be generated.
• Create BOM/parts lists for sub-assemblies.
• Add more P4 / component part reference photos.

If you want to be involved, just PM me with your email and I will send you a project invite. From there you can install Workbench, make your own local copy of the project, and go to work. I've never tried anything like this before, so I'm not really sure how well it will work. All I know is there is a great deal of enthusiasm here, so why not?

Hello Ryan! Not sure if you've seen AriLea's "3D Model" thread, but he's doing some pretty amazing "renditions" of possible elio mods. It is in SketchUp, but Goofyone and CompTrex have already experimented with 3D printing them. I was trained in AutoCad, but have "played' with Solidworks, Blender (free, and amazing), NX6, and recently discovered DesignSpark Mechanical...VERY cool, and you can't beat the price. DSM can convert .skp files, which can then be converted into just about type file you want (allegedly...haven't tried it myself yet).

Check it out and see what you think:

http://www.rs-online.com/designspark/electronics/eng/page/mechanical

Ryan, I love this idea.

I can create Bills of Materials and draft work instructions for assembly processes.

Awesome, glad to see there's interest in the idea! The URL for the Workbench project is here. You'll have to sign up to be able to see the project, though.
I'm going to try to work on the chassis a bit this weekend. If anyone wants to take a crack at some simple CAD work to get things rolling, we will need some simple placeholder parts to represent major components (engine, radiator, seats, dash, gas tank, etc.). DesignSpark Mechanical that NSTG8R suggested looks like it would work fine for that.

I was thinking this would come up eventually. As a contingency plan it makes sense. Hopefully it wont be needed

Got a bit done this weekend. Roughed in a G10 & transaxle, and got AriLea's Sketchup model converted into surface bodies that play nice in Solidworks, so some of those parts can be used as placeholders for now (seats, steering wheel, mirrors).

Wow! Nice progress, Ryan! I'll have to sign up on your link (above).

You might check the proportions of the wheels/front fairing...even the rear wheel. The fronts look small to my eye

Jeff Bowlsby said:

View attachment 4965 You might check the proportions of the wheels/front fairing...even the rear wheel. The fronts look small to my eye

Click to expand...

That's photographic perspective.

I once had a CAD-ILLAC it was a real POS.
Forget the CAD, I would rather have the Elio in my driveway, or a least a Paul Elio bobble head.