Learn Practically
Engineering assembly labs
Build machines part by part in 3D: cars, bikes, aeroplanes and a wind turbine, with every part named and every step of the assembly explained.
31 full 3D labs · free, no sign-in needed
Vehicle assembly
19 experimentsCar Assembly: Build a Car Part by Part
Build a car in a 3D assembly bay from 44 named parts, in the order of a real line: platform, steering, struts, axle, engine, gearbox, driveshafts, brakes, tank and exhaust; the marriage of the painted body; radiator, battery, dashboard, glass, bonnet and boot lid; then seats, doors, lamps, bumpers and wheels, with the torque figure for every bolt.
Helicopter Assembly: Build a Helicopter Part by Part
Build a light turbine helicopter in a 3D hangar from 38 named parts: the airframe on its jig with the cabin and tail boom on the overhead crane, the skids, the turboshaft engine, gearbox, drive shafts, servos, swashplate and rotor hub, the cabin, glazing, doors and lights, then the three main rotor blades and the tail rotor, and the first run-up of the rotors.
Motorcycle Assembly: Build a Motorcycle Part by Part
Build a 160 cc commuter motorcycle in a 3D workshop from 36 named parts: the engine on the assembly stand with the frame lowered onto it by the crane, the swingarm, shocks, front fork, wheels, disc brakes and the chain fed round its sprockets, then the intake, exhaust, controls, tank, seat, bodywork and lamps, and the motorcycle let down onto its side stand.
Bicycle Assembly: Build a Bicycle Part by Part
Build a seven-speed hybrid bicycle in a 3D workshop from 26 named parts: the frame in the workstand, the headset, fork and cockpit, the mudguards and spoked wheels, disc brakes, cranks, rear derailleur and the chain fed through its jockey wheels, then the kickstand and lights, with the gear ratios explained.
Aeroplane Assembly: Build a Light Aircraft Part by Part
Build a four-seat, high-wing light aeroplane in a 3D hangar from 40 named parts: the fuselage on its jig, the landing gear and tail, the cabin, the wings on the overhead crane with their struts, flaps and ailerons, the engine, cowling and propeller, then the wheels and lights, and the first engine run.
Ship Assembly: Build a Cargo Ship Block by Block
Build an 80 m coastal cargo ship on a 3D shipyard berth from 41 named blocks and parts: the gantry crane lays the keel and erects the hull blocks, then the engine, shaft, propeller and rudder, the deckhouse, wheelhouse and funnel, hatch covers and deck cranes, anchors, lights and lifeboats, and the ship is side launched into the harbour.
Steam Locomotive Assembly: Build a Train Engine Part by Part
Build a 4-6-0 steam locomotive and its tender in a 3D erecting shop from 35 named parts: the frames on their stands, the cylinders, boiler, smokebox and cab, the wheelsets rolled in and jacked up, the bogie, the rods and Walschaerts valve gear, the boiler mountings and the tender, then the first move under steam with the motion working.
Submarine Assembly: Build a Submarine Section by Section
Build a 65 m diesel-electric submarine in a 3D building hall from 29 named sections and parts: the pressure hull rings on their cradles with the shaft, main motor, diesel generators and batteries pushed in through the open end, then the bow dome, casing, sail and masts, the sail planes and X-tail, the flank sonar and the propeller, and its first dive.
Bus Assembly: Build a City Bus Part by Part
Build a 12 m low-floor city bus in a 3D factory from 36 named parts: the underframe on its stands, the axles jacked up from below, the engine and gearbox pushed in from behind, the floor, side, end and roof frames on the overhead crane, the panels, seats, rails, glass and doors, the wheels, and the drive-out.
Truck Assembly: Build a Truck Part by Part
Build a 16 tonne rigid truck in a 3D factory from 35 named parts: the ladder frame on its stands, the axles and leaf springs jacked up from below, the steering, the engine and gearbox dropped in by the crane, the tanks and exhaust, the cab lowered onto its mountings, the dropside body, the wheels, and the drive-out.
Tank Assembly: Build a Tank Part by Part
Build a main battle tank in a 3D factory from 36 named parts: the welded hull on its stands, the sprockets, idlers and road wheels, the tracks laid round them shoe by shoe, the power pack, the turret lowered onto its ring, the gun, mantlet and roof, the sights, weapon station, smoke launchers and side skirts, then the turret test and the drive-out on its tracks.
Ambulance Assembly: Build an Ambulance Part by Part
Build a box-body ambulance in a 3D factory from 34 named parts: the chassis on its stands, the engine dropped in by the crane, the cab, the patient compartment lowered on, the oxygen, cabinets, seats and stretcher mount carried in, the doors, light bar and warning lamps, then load the stretcher and drive out with the lamps flashing.
Bulldozer Assembly: Build a Crawler Dozer Part by Part
Build a 26 tonne crawler bulldozer in a 3D factory from 34 named parts: the main frame on its stands, the final drives, the equalizer bar, the track roller frames on the pivot shaft, the rollers, idlers and elevated sprockets, the tracks laid shoe by shoe, the transmission, engine, radiator and hood, the cab with its ROPS, the push arms, blade and cylinders and the ripper, then work the blade and ripper and drive it off.
Electric Scooter Assembly: Build an E-Scooter Part by Part
Build a seated electric scooter in a 3D workshop from 30 named parts: the frame on its workstand, the fork, swingarm and shock, the controller, harness and 3 kWh battery, the hub-motor rear wheel, the front wheel and disc brake, the body panels, storage and seat, the handlebar, display and lamps, then switch it on, stand it on its side stand and ride it out.
Forklift Assembly: Build a Forklift Part by Part
Build a 2.5 tonne electric counterbalance forklift in a 3D factory from 31 named parts: the chassis on its stands, the drive and steer axles, the hydraulics, the counterweight and battery on the crane, the driver’s place, the two-stage mast with its cylinders, chains, carriage and forks, the guard and the wheels, then lift a pallet and drive away.
Formula 1 Car Assembly: Build an F1 Car Part by Part
Build a Formula 1 car in a 3D race bay from 31 named parts: the carbon monocoque on its build stand, the suspension and brakes, the turbo-hybrid V6 and gearbox lowered on by the crane, the floor and diffuser, the bodywork, seat, steering wheel and halo, the wings with the DRS and the wheels with the wheel gun, then drive it down the pit lane.
Fire Truck Assembly: Build a Fire Engine Part by Part
Build a pumper fire engine in a 3D factory from 40 named parts: the ladder frame, axles and engine with its power take-off, the pump drive and centrifugal fire pump, the crew cab, the water tank, locker modules with roller shutters, the pump panel and hose reels, the roof and hose bed, the ladder rack and light bar, then work the shutters and the ladder and drive it out.
Mobile Crane Assembly: Build an All-Terrain Crane Part by Part
Build a three-axle all-terrain mobile crane in a 3D factory from 33 named parts: the carrier frame on its stands, the axles on trolleys, engine and transmission, four outrigger beams, the driver’s cab and wheels, the slewing ring, the superstructure with its winch, cab and counterweight, the luffing cylinder, the boom with three telescopes slid into it and the hook block, then set it up on its outriggers, raise, telescope and slew the boom and let the hook down.
Metro Train Assembly: Build a Metro Car Part by Part
Build the driving car of a metro train in a 3D depot from 31 named parts: wheelsets rolled onto the track, bogie frames, traction motors and air springs, the underframe on lifting jacks, the inverter and underfloor equipment, the body shell, seats, poles, doors and windows, the air-conditioning, pantograph, cab and couplers, then lower it onto its bogies, try the doors, roll it out and raise the pantograph.
Energy machines
1 experimentRobots and automation
3 experimentsHumanoid Robot Assembly: Build a Robot Part by Part
Build a 1.86 m electric humanoid robot in a 3D robotics lab from 32 named parts: the pelvis on the assembly stand, the hip, knee and ankle actuators and the feet, the torso on the overhead crane with its computer and power board, the shoulders, arms and five-fingered hands, the neck, head and LiDAR, the battery and the covers, then power it on and watch it stand and wave.
Industrial Robotic Arm Assembly: Build a Six-Axis Robot Part by Part
Build a six-axis industrial robot in a 3D robot cell from 27 named parts: the riser anchored to the floor, the base, turret and axis 1 reducer and motor, the shoulder drive and the lower arm on the overhead crane with its spring balancer, the elbow, upper arm, forearm and wrist with their servo motors, the harness, valves and gripper, then the controller, cables, teach pendant and safety scanner, and its first run: it checks every axis and picks and places a part.
3D Printer Assembly: Build an FDM 3D Printer Part by Part
Build a 3D printer in a 3D maker lab from 32 named parts: the base frame with the Y belt, motor and carriage on their smooth rods, the heated bed and PEI sheet, the uprights, Z motors, gantry and lead screws, the X belt and carriage, the extruder, hot end, fans and probe, the power supply, mainboard and display, and the spool, then watch it home, heat up and print a cup layer by layer.
Engines and machines
3 experimentsLift (Elevator) Installation: Install a Lift Part by Part
Install an 8-person traction lift in its shaft in 3D from 51 named parts: the guide rails stood up on the hoist, the buffers, the car frame built in the pit and the counterweight at the top landing, the deflector, bedplate and gearless machine at the head of the shaft, the governor and controller, the car, doors and landing doors, then the ropes, and the lift commissioned and run to every floor.
Jet Engine Assembly: Build a Turbofan Module by Module
Build a high-bypass turbofan in a 3D engine shop from 24 named modules and parts: the fan frame hung on the build gantry, the high-pressure compressor, combustor and turbine slid in along the axis, the low-pressure turbine with its shaft through the core, the booster, fan disk and 22 fan blades, the gearbox and its units, the exhaust, inlet, fan cowls and thrust reverser, then start it and run it up.
Car Engine Assembly: Build a Four-Cylinder Engine Part by Part
Build a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine up from its block in a 3D engine shop from 32 named parts: the block on the engine stand, the crankshaft and ladder frame, the pistons, rods and caps, the oil pump and sump, the head gasket and head, twin camshafts and timing chain, covers, pulleys, alternator and belt, manifolds, fuel rail, coils, flywheel and starter, then crank it and watch it run.
Home appliances
3 experimentsWashing Machine Assembly: Build a Washing Machine Part by Part
Build a front-loading washing machine in a 3D factory from 28 named parts: the tub, drum, pulley, inverter motor, belt, heater and counterweights on the sub-assembly fixture, then the base and cabinet on the line, the tub unit on the hoist with its springs and dampers, the pump and hoses, inlet valve, dispenser, door seal, front panel, lock, console, worktop and door, and its factory test as it fills, washes, drains and spins.
Refrigerator Assembly: Build a Refrigerator Part by Part
Build a frost-free refrigerator in a 3D factory from 30 named parts: the foamed cabinet on the hoist, the compressor, condenser, filter drier, evaporator, capillary and suction line, brazing the circuit, evacuating and charging it with R600a and leak-testing it, then the fan, defrost heater, covers, duct, light and control unit, shelves and drawers, hinges, doors and handles, and its line test as the refrigerant circulates and the temperatures fall.
Split Air Conditioner Assembly: Build an AC Part by Part
Build and install a split air conditioner in a 3D factory from 25 named parts: the outdoor unit's compressor, condenser coil, service valves, pipework and expansion valve, brazed, charged with R32 and leak-tested, then its controls, fan and casing; the indoor unit's cross-flow fan, evaporator, louver, controls, filters and panel; then the wall plate, the unit hung on the wall, the flared pipe set, the vacuum, and the run as the fans spin and the refrigerant flows.
Space engineering
2 experimentsSatellite Assembly: Build a Satellite Part by Part
Build a geostationary communications satellite in a 3D cleanroom from 23 named parts: the launch adapter and central cylinder on the integration stand, the propellant tanks, reaction wheels, batteries and avionics, the radiator panels with their amplifiers, the walls, earth deck, feeds and sensors, the reflectors and folded solar arrays, then the deployment test.
Space Rover Assembly: Build a Mars Rover Part by Part
Build a six-wheeled Mars rover in a 3D cleanroom from 21 named parts: the chassis on its posts, the computers and batteries, the rocker-bogie suspension and differential, the hazard cameras, the robotic arm, the mast, the antennas, the power source and the wheels, then its mobility test: down on its wheels, mast up, a drive and the arm reaching to the ground.
How the labs work
- Change it and watchEach lab lets you change the quantities that matter, and the apparatus responds as the real one would.
- Take readingsRecord results into a table, see them on a graph and download them as a spreadsheet file.
- Learn the theoryEvery lab includes a guide to the apparatus, missions, a quick quiz, lab notes and viva questions.