[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":133},["ShallowReactive",2],{"article_a-graduation-cap-that-actually-moves_solidworks":3,"_apollo:default":131,"_apollo:identified":132},{"posts":4},{"nodes":5,"__typename":130},[6],{"id":7,"slug":8,"title":9,"uri":10,"excerpt":11,"locale":12,"featuredImage":15,"tableOfContents":23,"content":24,"date":25,"authorJobTitle":26,"author":27,"masterings":36,"globalTags":50,"products":76,"disciplines":87,"seo":120,"__typename":129},"cG9zdDo3MDA4OA==","a-graduation-cap-that-actually-moves","A Graduation Cap that Actually Moves","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fa-graduation-cap-that-actually-moves","\u003Cp>Create a custom graduation cap with moving gears using CAD and 3D printing. Download free gear files and see how SOLIDWORKS for Makers supports personal projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"locale":13,"__typename":14},"en_US","Locale",{"node":16,"__typename":22},{"large":17,"__typename":18,"medium_large":17,"thumbnail":19,"srcSet":20,"sizes":21},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap_shebuildsrobots.jpg","MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap_shebuildsrobots-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap_shebuildsrobots.jpg 592w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap_shebuildsrobots-274x300.jpg 274w","(max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px","NodeWithFeaturedImageToMediaItemConnectionEdge",[],"\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"592\" height=\"647\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap_shebuildsrobots.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70092\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap_shebuildsrobots.jpg.webp 592w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap_shebuildsrobots-274x300.jpg.webp 274w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One of the most recognizable aspects of graduation season is the way people customize their caps. A mortarboard has become a small canvas for sharing something personal. It might feature a single sentence, a joke, or a “Thank you, Mom and Dad!” It’s a tiny expression of someone’s personality squeezed into a 9-inch square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Creating a Cap for Engineering Students\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Christina Ernst, the creator of She Builds Robots, specializes in building wearable projects that combine mechanical design, fabric, circuits, and coding. Although she has already graduated, she wanted to create something for current engineering students that they could download, customize, and use to build their own graduation caps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>She started with a system that engineers are very familiar with: gears. Gears are among the first mechanisms studied by many engineering students. They show how motion is transferred and how different parts interact, making them a representation of the thinking behind an engineering degree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>A tradition that keeps changing\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The graduation cap originated in the 12th and 13th centuries at medieval universities in Europe. It evolved from the ecclesiastical pileus and biretta caps worn by clergy and scholars. Over time, these caps became standard academic dress and eventually became part of graduation ceremonies across the United States. The modern name “mortarboard” comes from the square board used by bricklayers, as the graduation cap resembles this tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Customizing graduation caps is a relatively new trend. Originally, it started as a way to make a statement, but it has evolved into a means for graduates to showcase their personal experiences, values, and future aspirations. If you are completing your engineering degree, this is also a great opportunity to create and share something unique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>A moving gear graduation cap\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.instagram.com\u002Fp\u002FDXMTAccEQYb\u002F\">Christina designed the cap\u003C\u002Fa> with a set of interlocking gears positioned directly on its surface. She wanted to keep the gears exposed and in motion, transforming the cap into a small mechanical system. The movement of the gears demonstrates how the parts interconnect and respond to one another, mirroring the operation of a basic gear train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Improving gear design with CAD\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In her previous wearable projects, Christina would often place gears wherever they fit and make adjustments during assembly. This time, however, she researched the relationship between gear teeth, diameter, and module. Using SOLIDWORKS for Makers, she carefully planned the exact positions for each gear to snap into place. Refining her design with CAD significantly improved how the entire project came together. The structure was stable, and the gears aligned and spun correctly during the first assembly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Building the final graduation cap\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The gears were 3D-printed using a bronze-colored filament, giving them a more mechanical look. This filament is a standard PLA blend that produces a dull metallic finish, making movement more visible. The centered layout of the gears ensures that the system remains balanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"687\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgears_shebuildsrobots-687x1024.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70091\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgears_shebuildsrobots-687x1024.jpg.webp 687w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgears_shebuildsrobots-201x300.jpg.webp 201w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgears_shebuildsrobots-768x1145.jpg.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgears_shebuildsrobots.jpg.webp 899w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 687px) 100vw, 687px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"897\" height=\"990\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fbattery-pack_shebuildsrobots.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70090\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fbattery-pack_shebuildsrobots.jpg.webp 897w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fbattery-pack_shebuildsrobots-272x300.jpg.webp 272w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fbattery-pack_shebuildsrobots-768x848.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A sewable battery holder and a small DC motor drive the main gear. To further personalize the design, Christina added her alma mater in the center: I-L-L!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap-gears_shebuildsrobots-735x1024.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70093\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap-gears_shebuildsrobots-735x1024.jpg.webp 735w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap-gears_shebuildsrobots-215x300.jpg.webp 215w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap-gears_shebuildsrobots-768x1070.jpg.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002Fgraduation-cap-gears_shebuildsrobots.jpg.webp 905w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Download the files to make your own graduation cap\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Finals season can be stressful, so Christina is sharing the 3D-printing files for free on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002Fshebuildsrobots\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GitHub\u003C\u002Fa>. This allows graduates to build the same design or customize their own using SOLIDWORKS for Makers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>CAD Tools for personal projects\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Many engineers use CAD software at work but don’t always have access to the same tools at home. SOLIDWORKS for Makers provides the same powerful CAD tools, licensed for individual use. It enables users to model detailed parts with precision, check compatibility, and prepare files for 3D printing. The software runs on a standard laptop and installs quickly, or you can opt for the fully browser-based version.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you’re graduating this year, you already know how to engineer things. Your graduation cap is just one more place to show it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Learn more about \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002Fsolution\u002Fsolidworks-makers?utm_campaign=202501_nam_cnbmks_swks_Blogposts_en_vex&utm_medium=socialnetwork&utm_source=communities&utm_content=slk\">\u003Cstrong>SOLIDWORKS for Makers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>, personal-use CAD, for $48 USD\u002Fyear. Use Christina’s 20% off SOLIDWORKS for Makers code \u003Cstrong>SHEBUILDSROBOTS\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n","2026-06-05T08:00:00","",{"node":28,"__typename":35},{"nicename":29,"description":26,"slug":29,"name":30,"firstName":26,"lastName":26,"avatar":31,"__typename":34},"xyang","SOLIDWORKS",{"url":32,"__typename":33},"https:\u002F\u002Fsecure.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002F9358c7aa9609acf84d433f140726e75e7db5273e0658976eec25268c45573aab?s=96&d=mm&r=g","Avatar","User","NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge",{"nodes":37,"edges":44,"__typename":49},[38],{"id":39,"name":40,"slug":41,"uri":42,"__typename":43},"dGVybTo5NQ==","Customer Stories","customer-stories","\u002Fmastering\u002Fcustomer-stories\u002F","Taxonomy_mastering",[45],{"isPrimary":46,"node":47,"__typename":48},true,{"id":39,"name":40,"slug":41,"uri":42,"__typename":43},"PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnectionEdge","PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnection",{"nodes":51,"__typename":75},[52,58,63,66,71],{"id":53,"name":54,"slug":55,"uri":56,"__typename":57},"dGVybTo5NjAx","3D CAD","3d-cad","\u002Ftags\u002F3d-cad\u002F","Taxonomy_tag",{"id":59,"name":60,"slug":61,"uri":62,"__typename":57},"dGVybTo5NjA0","3D Printing","3d-printing","\u002Ftags\u002F3d-printing\u002F",{"id":64,"name":40,"slug":41,"uri":65,"__typename":57},"dGVybTo5NjA4","\u002Ftags\u002Fcustomer-stories\u002F",{"id":67,"name":68,"slug":69,"uri":70,"__typename":57},"dGVybTo5NjEy","Robotics","robotics","\u002Ftags\u002Frobotics\u002F",{"id":72,"name":30,"slug":73,"uri":74,"__typename":57},"dGVybTo5NjAz","solidworks","\u002Ftags\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","PostToTaxonomy_tagConnection",{"edges":77,"nodes":84,"__typename":86},[78],{"isPrimary":46,"node":79,"__typename":83},{"id":80,"name":30,"slug":73,"uri":81,"__typename":82},"dGVybTo1Ng==","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","Taxonomy_product","PostToTaxonomy_productConnectionEdge",[85],{"id":80,"name":30,"slug":73,"uri":81,"__typename":82},"PostToTaxonomy_productConnection",{"nodes":88,"edges":112,"__typename":119},[89,102],{"id":90,"name":91,"slug":92,"uri":93,"parentId":94,"disciplines":95,"__typename":101},"dGVybTo1OA==","Design and Engineering","design-engineering","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fdesign-engineering\u002F",null,{"nodes":96,"__typename":100},[97],{"title":91,"uri":98,"parentId":94,"__typename":99},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fdesign-engineering","Discipline","Taxonomy_disciplineToDisciplineConnection","Taxonomy_discipline",{"id":103,"name":104,"slug":105,"uri":106,"parentId":90,"disciplines":107,"__typename":101},"dGVybTo2Mg==","Makers","makers","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fmakers\u002F",{"nodes":108,"__typename":100},[109],{"title":104,"uri":110,"parentId":111,"__typename":99},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fdesign-engineering\u002Fmakers","cG9zdDozNzcz",[113,117],{"isPrimary":114,"node":115,"__typename":116},false,{"parentId":94,"id":90,"name":91,"slug":92,"uri":93,"__typename":101},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnectionEdge",{"isPrimary":46,"node":118,"__typename":116},{"parentId":90,"id":103,"name":104,"slug":105,"uri":106,"__typename":101},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnection",{"canonical":121,"title":122,"metaDesc":123,"opengraphAuthor":26,"opengraphDescription":123,"opengraphTitle":9,"opengraphUrl":121,"opengraphSiteName":124,"opengraphPublishedTime":125,"opengraphModifiedTime":26,"twitterTitle":26,"twitterDescription":26,"readingTime":126,"metaRobotsNoindex":127,"__typename":128},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fa-graduation-cap-that-actually-moves\u002F","A Graduation Cap that Actually Moves - Blog Solidworks","Create a custom graduation cap with moving gears using CAD and 3D printing. Download free gear files and see how SOLIDWORKS for Makers supports personal projects.","Blog Solidworks","2026-06-05T12:00:00+00:00",4,"index","PostTypeSEO","Post","RootQueryToPostConnection",{},{},1782500299204]