Big192

• 

  Final CAD Render

Inspiration

Big192 was inspired by Print and Play’s goal of making design and manufacturing accessible. We wanted to create something that anyone could walk in, print, assemble, and use without prior experience. The idea of a standardized racing car for a weekly league motivated us to design a model that was not only fun and competitive, but also realistic to manufacture and reuse in a public, educational setting.

What it does

Big192 is a standardized, 3D-printable model racing car designed to run on a fixed oval track using provided motors, batteries, and axles. It serves as a reliable base chassis that can be printed repeatedly, assembled easily, and raced consistently. The design prioritizes simplicity, durability, and consistent performance, making it suitable for beginners while still being engaging.

How we built it

We began by carefully reviewing the challenge requirements and standardized components. Our process included:

• Defining constraints around printability, assembly, and performance
  
• Brainstorming and sketching multiple design ideas
  
• Modeling the car in CAD with a focus on a single-piece chassis
  
• Designing the car to print flat to minimize supports and reduce print time
  
• Iterating on dimensions and clearances to ensure proper axle alignment and fit
  

Each design decision was made to balance ease of manufacturing with reliable on-track performance.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges was working at a small scale, where minor design issues like tolerances and alignment had a large impact on performance. We also had to resist overcomplicating the design and stay focused on what would realistically work in a public, in-store environment. Ensuring durability while keeping the car lightweight and easy to print required careful iteration.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

• Creating a fully 3D-printable, single-piece chassis
• Designing a car that is easy to assemble with minimal tools
• Meeting all constraints while maintaining consistent track performance
  
• Producing a design that can be repeatedly printed and reused for a racing league
  These accomplishments reflect our focus on practicality and real-world usability.

What we learned

We learned that good design is often about simplicity and iteration, not complexity. Small adjustments to geometry, print orientation, and clearances made a significant difference. We also gained experience designing with manufacturability and user experience in mind, rather than just aesthetics or performance alone.

What's next for Big192

Next steps for Big192 include additional print testing, small refinements to improve durability and consistency, and gathering user feedback from racers. The design also provides a strong foundation for future challenges, such as minor performance tuning or customization, while keeping the core chassis standardized and accessible.

Built With

• autodesk
• inventor