Tigercat Claw SolidWorks Model

For my final project in my Computer-Aided Design class, I designed the claw of a Tigercat tree feller. This involved part design, rendering, animation, and part drawings in SolidWorks. 

A Tigercat tree feller is a device that cuts, grabs, and deposits trees. I saw one in person while doing trail maintenance in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was used to remove standing dead trees, and the mechanism made a strong impression on me as an engineer. 

Final claw design and rendering and the reference claw: 

This project was really interesting and fun! The mechanism in an actual Tigercat tree feller is fascinating and amazing to see in person. Modeling it was challenging but also very informative.

This project also involved assembly and part drawings.

Assembly drawing and exploded view:

One of the part drawings (sawblade):

Animation of Assembly and Exploded View