Teachers
Using 3D Mechanic in the classroom
3D Mechanic shows a class what a textbook diagram cannot: a clutch releasing, a strut moving through its travel, an engine turning through four strokes. It runs on iPad and iPhone, offline.
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Works offline
Everything runs on the device, so a weak workshop Wi-Fi signal does not matter.
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Nothing to set up
Students open the app and start. There is nothing to sign up to.
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Seven systems
Engine, clutch, driveline, two suspensions, steering and brakes, each with a live test.
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On the big screen
Mirror an iPad to a projector or display with AirPlay or a cable, and run the tests for the whole class.
Lesson starters
Each takes five to ten minutes on a shared screen. The guide for each system has the theory and an interactive diagram that runs in any browser, so students without the app can follow along.
| System | Do this in the app | Then ask |
|---|---|---|
| Clutch | Press the pedal slowly and stop at the bite point. | What has the diaphragm spring done, and why does the car start to move here and not earlier? |
| Brakes and ABS | Run the brake test at 30 bar, then at 60 bar. | Why does the clamp force double, and where does the energy of the moving car go? |
| Four-stroke engine | Run the four-stroke cycle, then stop it at each stroke in turn. | Which valves are open, and why does the exhaust valve open before the piston reaches the bottom? |
| MacPherson strut | Run the bump test and watch the wheel from the front. | What happens to the camber as the wheel rises, and why does that matter in a corner? |
| Double wishbone | Run the camber test, then the bump test on the MacPherson strut, and compare the camber. | Why is the upper arm shorter than the lower one? |
| Rack and pinion steering | Run the steering sweep to full lock. | Why does the inner wheel turn further than the outer wheel? |
| CV axle and differential | Drive it and steer it, and watch the speed of each wheel. | Where does the difference in speed come from, and what happens if one wheel is on ice? |
For assessment, pairs can rebuild a system in Build mode, which checks the fitting order, then take the part identification quiz. Each device keeps its best scores.
Where it fits your course
The app covers topics in the IMI and City & Guilds light vehicle diplomas and the ASE tests. See where each system fits a course.
Questions teachers ask
Does it need Wi-Fi?
No. Once it is installed, everything runs on the device, including the live tests and the quizzes.
Can I show it on a projector?
Yes. Mirror an iPad or iPhone to the projector or display with AirPlay or a cable, and run the tests for the whole class.
Which devices does it need?
iPhone or iPad with iOS or iPadOS 17.0 or later. The download is 116.4 MB.
Try it before a lesson
Download it and run the bump test on the strut. It takes two minutes to see whether it suits your class.
