Mechanical Analysis

Product Teardown

February 2025 Rafae Shafi, Mohammed

Subject: Cookie Cutter

Project Overview

This project involves a comprehensive analysis and representation of a mechanical product's function, structure, and performance. The chosen product was a cookie cutter — deceptively simple yet rich with mechanical detail.

Main Objectives

1Disassemble & Document

Photo all parts disassembled and labeled
Create a parts table with part numbers, names, quantities, and clear photos

2CAD Model & Engineering Drawings

Model the product in CAD with accurate shape and assembly
Submit exploded views with BOM and detailed part drawings of two key components

3Functional Decomposition Diagram

Break down the product into its subsystems and components
Show how energy, materials, and information flow through the system

4"How It Works" Video

Short (max 2-min) video showing how the product converts input to output
Use CAD animations or screenshots with voice/text explanations

5Design Analysis

Select a key design parameter (e.g., handle size, spring stiffness)
Analyze how changes affect a measurable performance variable
Explain the relationship qualitatively and quantitatively

CAD Explanation Video

Personal Reflection

This project tested my CAD skills, pushing me to experiment with new features in SolidWorks. Learning how to create functional decompositions was particularly valuable — it helped Mohammed and I break down each individual part to understand its function. It is a great way to simply showcase how a product works. My partner Mohammed was amazing to work with.