Mechanical Redesign with SolidWorks Assembly, Component Sourcing, Assembly, and Testing
Sooner Rover Team (Spring 2026)
THE CHALLENGE:
Redesigned the rover’s science package for a smaller footprint, lower estimated mass, and faster servicing using modular components and a removable sliding mount.
The science subsystem needed to support regolith sampling and onboard analysis within the rover’s mass and packaging constraints. The mechanism also had to be accessible for preparation, troubleshooting, and sample handling during competition operations.
THE SOLUTION:
I rebuilt the package architecture around goBILDA components and standardized M4 hardware. I developed the SolidWorks assemblies, sourced components, assembled the mechanism, and participated in testing. Standardized interfaces made it easier to replace parts and modify the package without redesigning its entire support structure.
I also designed a sliding assembly beneath the rover so the package could be removed and reinstalled for servicing and sample collection activities. This mounting approach supported subsystem access while preserving its mechanical interface with the rover.
The broader science mission required subsurface sampling to at least 10 cm and material allocation for analysis and caching. The team’s science plan proposed colorimetric assays using ninhydrin and Benedict’s reagent. My contribution centered on the mechanical package and its integration with the rover.
RESULTS + NEXT STEPS:
The redesign reduced the documented package footprint by 40%, with an estimated mass reduction of nearly 3 kg. The removable mount improved access for assembly and subsystem testing. Quantified sampling-depth, assay, and removal-time results are not included in the supplied documentation.
Further testing should measure actual assembled mass, sample acquisition performance, and repeated removal and installation. The chemical analysis workflow also requires controls and validation before results can support scientific interpretation.