IAN BETTIS / PORTFOLIO

02 / DESIGN, PROTOTYPING & MANUFACTURING

Skid loader parts.
From CAD to physical parts.

Three skid loader part projects with different development paths. The Bobtach replacement kit and adapter plate are designed and 3D printed, with drawings prepared. The wear plates went directly from design to manufacturing.

Left-hand Bobtach replacement plate CAD model
Left-hand Bobtach plate CAD model
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SKID LOADER PART / 01

Bobtach replacement kitReverse engineering / client project

Designed & 3D printed · Drawings prepared

I developed a Bobtach replacement kit for a client by reverse engineering an existing part. I recreated the design, produced a 3D printed prototype, and prepared engineering drawings for her.

Reverse engineering & prototype process

Existing part as the reference

I used an existing component as the starting point for recreating the geometry in CAD.

CAD development

I developed the replacement design and documented its geometry and features.

3D printed prototype

I produced a 3D printed prototype as part of the development process. The photos show the prototype alongside the existing part for a profile comparison.

Engineering drawings

I prepared drawings for the client. Final manufacturing remains a future step.

Adapter plate CAD assembly
Adapter plate CAD assembly
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SKID LOADER PART / 02

Skid loader adapter plateReverse engineering / client project

Designed & 3D printed · Drawings prepared

I followed the same process for the adapter plate: reverse engineering an existing part, developing the CAD design, producing a 3D printed prototype, and preparing engineering drawings for the client.

Reverse engineering & prototype process

Existing part as the reference

I used an existing component as the starting point for recreating the geometry in CAD.

CAD development

I developed the replacement design and documented its geometry and features.

3D printed prototype

I produced a 3D printed prototype as part of the development process. The photos show the prototype alongside the existing part for a profile comparison.

Engineering drawings

I prepared drawings for the client. Final manufacturing remains a future step.

Wear plate CAD model
Wear plate CAD model
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SKID LOADER PART / 03

Wear platesFrom design directly to manufacturing

Designed & manufactured

For these wear plates, I developed the CAD design and drawing, then went directly to manufacturing. The simple geometry made a separate 3D printed prototype unnecessary. The project follows the part from the digital model to the manufactured plates installed on the attachment.

Design & manufacturing process

CAD design

I modeled the plate geometry and mounting features.

Engineering drawing

I documented the dimensions and hole locations for manufacturing.

Direct to manufacturing

Because the part was straightforward, I skipped 3D printing and moved directly from design to manufacturing.

Installed result

The finished wear plates are shown installed along the lower edge of the attachment.

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