Computer-Aided Design#

3D modeling with Autodesk Fusion 360#

FreeCAD is a great tool however Fusion 360 is much more capable 3D modeling software with a large community attached to it and has therefore far better ressources to learn how to use it.

I used the following free tutorials: - Autodesk Fusion 360 for beginners - Parametric modeling - Fusion 360 Cheatsheet

Pros: - Cloud-based collaboration - User-friendly interface - Highly capable - Paid Autodesk softwares are free with a student license

Cons: - Paid (complete) version is expensive - Requires high speed internet connection - Frequent updates

Starting out#

The principle is to start off with a 2D sketch of your initial idea of what you want to model, then work your way up until you have a fully fleshed out 3D object.

There’s a logical object hierarchy to things in Fusion. Understanding each of these logical parts is key to using the software to its full extent.

Plane -> Sketch -> Features -> Body -> Element -> Construction

  • Plane : surface upon which you’re making your sketch projection
  • Sketch : pretty self-explanatory, it’s the initial drawing that determines the contour to which you apply features
  • Features : transform sketch contour into body shape
  • Body : 3D objects
  • Element : combination of multiple bodies
  • Construction : final assembly of elements (final object)

A way to start is to select an object type with the Create tool. You can then create complex objects by manipulating the basic ones.

You’d also have to choose which plane to work on.

You can also sketch in 2D first with the Sketch tool, which is more intuitive. Notice how whenever you sketch, the plane you’re working is the XY plane.

Fusion’s Extrude tool allows you to turn this 2D sketch into a 3D object. Select Extrude, then click on the center of the sketch and drag.

Practice#

I modelled a part from this tutorial to get the hang of things. Here’s how I did it. The tools used were : - Chamfer - Extrude from Object - Circular Pattern - Counterbore Hole - Fillet - Trim - Circle

First, I created a circle with the Circle tool and set its diameter (doesn’t matter what it is, we’re just practising).

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Then I created two other ones inside the first one.

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The Trim tool will be used throughout to clean up the sketch. Any sketch lines you click on with it will be deleted.

I created a rectangle with Create, then Rectangle. Then the Offset tool to offset the rectangle I just created.

So far, I had this.

I trimmed out the sketch elements I didn’t need.

With the Circular pattern tool, I selected the sketch elements I wanted to duplicate around an axis, then chose the number of times it would be duplicated.

With the Fillet tool, I softened the corners.

I now had this :

I then extruded this donut shape I selected with Selectand Extrude. Just drag the arrow upwards.

I did the same with a few other elements.

I used these options :

After extruding :

Same thing with this.

I added holes with the Hole tool.

After fleshing things out with Extrude, I had this final rudimentary object. Not bad to start things out.

Firstly, I created a simple sketch of what the FlexLink would like from the top, using parameters for its dimensional values.

I started off with one of its component.

We can then duplicate this sketch.

And connect them together.

Then add a third demension.

Licenses#

(CC Licenses)

Licenses give everyone a stardardized way to grant the public permission to use their creative work under copyright law.

I’m gonna use the CC BY license, which is the most permissive one.

BY : credit must be given to the creator.