I have been using CAD to both prototype different mechansims and create the entire robot’s design to assist in building. However, in the notebook, I am not sure wheather to lable the CAD as “Planning” or “Building” (I am color coding everything according to the step in the design process.
I guess this isn’t the most important issue, but I am still curious.
Personally, I think it goes in the planning phase. To me, this is where you would not only select a solution but also provide justification and plan your implementation. That implementation plan is typically where the CAD falls in the process.
That being said, I think there is an argument for both, so it probably isn’t too consequential of a decision either way.
I agree with @CoachHinson, you are brainstorming and creating a design for your robot, not testing/building the robot itself.
