164: CAD: The Gateway to Making Dreams a Reality
Show notes
We all dream up incredible vehicle concepts—Nate Wilkerson of Wilkerson Customs brings them to life. Combining engineering expertise, CAD design, and a lifelong passion for off-road racing, Nate has built a huge following by creating some of the most ambitious virtual vehicle concepts on the internet.
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In this episode of Tuned In, we dive into Nate’s background, from growing up in a machine shop and studying optical engineering to designing advanced laser systems for autonomous vehicles and military applications. Along the way, he developed a passion for mechanical design and engineering, eventually turning the off-road vehicle concepts he’d been imagining since childhood into detailed CAD creations shared with a growing online audience.
We then explore the tools and processes behind Nate’s designs, covering everything from SolidWorks and finite element analysis to CNC machining and additive manufacturing. The discussion highlights the importance of designing for manufacturability and understanding engineering fundamentals before they ever reach the real world.
The conversation also dives deep into off-road vehicle design, from suspension geometry and wheel travel to weight optimisation and structural analysis. Nate explains how he balances performance, durability, and practicality while constantly pushing the limits of what’s possible in his designs.
This episode is packed with insight for anyone interested in CAD, engineering, fabrication, or vehicle design. Whether you're creating parts for your own project car or simply fascinated by the process of turning ideas into reality, Nate’s unique perspective makes this a fascinating listen.
👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip
Follow Nate here:
Instagram: Wilkerson_Customs
Youtube: Wilkerson_Customs
Offroad Design Crew SOLIDWORKS
Timestamps:
0:00 CAD: The Gateway to Making Dreams a Reality
3:56 How did you get interested in cars?
09:26 How did you learn Solid Works (CAD)?
13:00 Why do you prefer CNC machined assemblies?
14:52 What’s your thoughts on generative design?
15:58 Additive manufacturing had developed so fast
21:50 What is Blender and how is it used with Fusion 360?
25:08 Can you apply your Solid Work skills directly into Fusion 360?
31:02 What sort of computing power do you need to run CAD?
33:34 What is FEA?
39:16 What sort of safety factor are you applying to your designs?
41:18 What do we need to think about when designing for manufacturing?
48:16 How do you design the suspension kinematics?
55:22 Why do you prefer an independent rear in your designs?
59:41 How do you get started with a design?
1:02:11 How many hours go into your designs?
1:05:50 Are we going to see one of these designs in real life?
1:10:30 Final 3 Questions