CAD

CAD - Fusion360

Hello! Welcome back to my blog! This week, I had recapped on CAD and enhance my knowledge on it. Personally, CAD has been challenging for me last semester as I am not a tech savvy person.😅 HOWEVER!!! through this week's lesson and activities, I can say that I know how to use FUSION360 for CAD now.

Fusion360 Recap

What is CAD?

CADD is the use of software to draw and design physical components or to layout processes. With CADD, shapes and lines can be drawn easily and quickly, content can be easily copied, edited, saved and shared. 

CADD software also allows accurate calculation of dimensions and more advanced software can even accurately estimate the kinds and amount of materials used of the length of manufacturing time, which facilitates budget planning. It is hence beneficial for a product designer to know how to use a CADD software.

We had learnt how to use Fusion360, a CADD software, to model shapes and designs in our previous module "Introduction to Chemical Product Design". We can also use a 3D printer to print our ideas and design, if we are able to make it in Fusion360. 

Week 1's Task

For this week's refresher, we were tasked to make a keychain using Fusion360.

Before watching the refresher video, I had completely forgot how to use Fusion360 as it has been almost half a year since I had practiced. I first watch the video first to understand how Fusion360 is used before I started making my Keychain.

Here are the steps which enables me to complete my refresher task of a Keyring!

Step 1:

I created a sketch by clicking on the top left button, and then selected the top plane for easier reference. 

Next, under the "Sketch" tab, I clicked on the "2 Point Rectangle" and then dragged across my screen. I had set my dimension of the rectangle to 65mm by 25mm.

Step 2:

Offset command lets us copy and select the sketch geometry a specified distance away from the original copy. I clicked on the "Offset" button which is the first button on the "Modify" tab from the right. In my example, I had offset 2mm.

Step 3:

Next, to make our rectangle have a curvy, less sharp edges, we use the tool "Fillet". Fillet is a tool to smoothen sharp edges. The button is also located under the "Modify" tab and it is the first tool from the left. In my example, I had fillet-ed all 4 edges by 5mm radius.

Step 4:

By clicking on the first button on the left, I created a line. Right clicked on this line and select "Normal/ Construction". This means that we are constructing a temporary line only for reference while creating and positioning the other line entity. To have the constructed line be at the specific place I wanted it to be, I had used the "Dimension" button which is located under the "Modify" tab, first button from the right. This allows me to click on 2 lines I choose, and specify the distance. For my example, I had created a 7mm distance between the left most line of the rectangle, and the constructed line.

Step 5:

Next, I need to create a circle. Firstly, I had to identify where the center of the constructed line is. Clicking on the "Create" button, I then selected the option "Point". Fusion360 will then help me identify where the center of the line is. Lastly, all I had to do left is to select on the "Center Diameter Circle" button, and click on the point I had just placed. We can specify the diameter of the circle. In my example, I had made the diameter 5mm.

Step 6:

Now, to create my name in the keychain, I had to write a text. Click on the "Create" button, and select the "text" option. Typed my name, selected the font "Impact" and adjusted the height accordingly to fit the rectangle. When done, click "Finish Sketch" which is located at the top right. 

Step 8:

Next, to make our base "Pop out", we have to use the tool "Extrude". The extrude button is simply to make a 2D shape into a 3D shape. It is located at the "Solid" tab, second from the left. Select the base and extrude it to 3mm. Do not select the hole.

Step 9:

Now, we have to extrude our text and the border. This time, we have to click on the eye icon to un-see he body of our keychain, and click on the eye icon of our sketch, to show our sketch. Again, select both our text and the border and click on "Extrude". We can specify how much we want to extrude. From the extrude menu, select the offset plane and enter 3mm.

Step 10:

Lastly, show the body of our keychain and unclick on the sketch's eye icon to view our successful product!

This concludes our Refresher Activity!

Conclusion

CAD using Fusion360 is something which I want to master as 3D printing is becoming more popular. 3D printing is able to print anything we need or want if we are able to design it on Fusion360. Now, after the refresher, I have gained some knowledge back on how to use and will put what I have learned in this video into my future CAD designs.

Embed Keychain Design:

Week 2's Task

Designing a simple handphone stand using parametric that can be laser cut

Step 1:

Firstly, as this is a parametric design, we have to start off by identifying the dimensions of our Phone Stand, using the actual dimensions of our phones. This way, if we want to change a certain dimension midway through, we can just come here and change the dimension

Step 2:

Next, we draw lines to sketch the image of our phone stand by pressing into "L" on our keyboard (shortcut tool for line).

To make sure that the angles are 90°, we can  make use of the constraint, Perpendicular which is found on the top of our screen. Simply click on the two lines which we want to make it 90°.

Step 3:

Thirdly, to create an angle, we click on "Sketch Dimension" which is located on the top left of the screen. Click on the 2 lines where we want to specify the angle. For the specified angle, we type "Angle" which we had already specified when doing the "User Parameter". This angle will automatically be 105°.

Step 4:

After the angle had been specified, our image may look disfigured.

All we have to do is to select the "Select" button and then readjust our image again.

Step 5:

Next, we specify the length of our phone "sitting" area. Again, click on "Sketch Dimension". This time, our desired length will be Device Width + Border + Ply length. Therefore, with the dimension already specified in our User Dimension, we simply only need to type this 3 in. 

Step 6:

Continue to specify the dimensions for our phone stand using the "Sketch Dimension" button.

Step 7:

We now can create our legs for our phone stand. Again, we used "Lines" to sketch the image of the legs and then use "Sketch Dimension" to specify the lengths and angles of the legs.

Step 8:

Again, specify the dimensions of our phone stand.

Step 9:

Now, all the dimensions have been specified. We can confirm when all dimensions have been specified when there is a lock button on our sketch.

Step 10:

We will now be adding tabs to hold our design together.

The dimension of these tabs is the thickness of our material. Using "Sketch Dimension", use our Ply dimension from User Parameter.

Specify the dimensions of the remaining lines.

To make the stand symmetrical, make the top and bottom part of the stand the same length. Using "Sketch Dimension", type "Ply * 3".

Step 11:

At the top of the Phone Stand, make a line so that there will not have any material sticking out at an angle.

Step 12:

After all dimensions have been specified, click on "Finish Sketch". We should get our outline, right plane of our Phone Stand.

Step 13:

Now, we can make our sketch pop out. Using the "Extrude" button which is on the top left of the screen, we can extrude our sketch to the material thickness.

Step 14:

We now create another component, the second leg by clicking on "Activate Component", and then click on "Create Component" under the "Create" tab.

Step 15:

Next, we have to construct a construction plane for the second leg, which we can control the distance. This allow us to control it base on the height of our device.

Under construct, click on "Offset Plane" and choose the origin plane as the origin plane will not be moved. The length of the second construction will be the length of the phone height. Use a negative length as we are goin backwards.

Step 16:

Click "Create Sketch" on the second place to create a sketch for the second leg.

Step 17:

Now, by pressing "P" on our keyboard, the project command will appear. Click on the sketch of our first leg and then finish sketch. 

This is what the result should look like when we click "Finish Sketch"

Step 18:

We will now extrude the second leg. However, the dimension of the second leg should be "- ply" as we are going backwards. 

Step 19:

Create a new component for the "Tray" which is where our phone will be seating.

Step 20:

Next, click on "Create Sketch" and select all 6 pieces where the tray will seat on using the "Project" command. Make sure that the selection filter is selected as "Faces" and not "Bodies".

Step 21:

Draw a rectangle for the tray. If the rectangle is too big, use the constraint "Collinear" to fit the rectangle nicely onto the tab.

Step 22:

Specify the dimension for the tray which will be sitting out of the stand to be "Border" as we have already specified the length in out User Parameters. Lastly, press finish sketch. We are now ready to extrude our tray.

Step 23:

Extrude 3.175mm of the tray except for the tabs, and make sure it states "New Body".

Step 24:

 

Next, create a new component again for the top. Create sketch on the highlighted areas by using the Project command.

Step 25:

Create a 2-point rectangle and use the constraint "Collinear" again to adjust it accordingly. The last thing we need to do is to add dimensions again and our sketch will be fully defined. When done, click finish sketch.

Step 26:

Extrude the sketch without extruding the tabs. The dimension will be "Ply" which we had specified in our "User Parameter".

Step 27:

Now, we will be creating the last component which is the support / brace. Start off by creating  a new component. Then, offset the plane (located under the Construct tab), by -5mm. The new plane will be where we will create our new sketch for the support.

Step 28:

Typing "P" onto our keyboard, it brings out the "Project" command. Select the back of the 2 legs. This will be where our support will be sketched on.

Step 29:

Draw a 2-Point rectangle on the back on the stand. If the rectangle is not accurately place, use the constraint "Collinear" to accurately place it at the desired area.

Step 30:

The support is meant to be rested on the middle on the 2 legs. Use the constraint "Midpoint" which has a logo of a triangle, click on the 2 lines which are circled to have our 2-point rectangle rested on the midpoint of the legs.

Step 31:

Specify the dimension of the support. I had used 20mm.

Step 32:

However, there is no way for this support to be attached to the legs. So, we will be creating 2 tabs, 1 for each leg. Draw a 2-point rectangle that represents the tabs.

Step 33:

Specify the dimensions of both tabs. I had used 5mm.

Step 34:

To have the tabs in the middle of the legs, we specify the dimension of the tab as "(20-5)/2". As the length of the leg is 20mm and the tab is 5mm, we subtract 5 from 20, then divide by 2 to get the midpoint. Click "Finish Sketch" when done.

Step 35:

We can now extrude the support. Extrude the support without the tabs. This time, our extrusion will be Symmetric direction and the distance will be "Ply/2".

Step 36:

This is how our Phone Stand should look at the moment. All we left to do is just some final adjustments.

Step 37:

Activate the whole component, and we are going to do some combine action so we can have the holes for the tabs. Click "Combine" which is located at the Modify tab. 

The target body is one of the leg, the tool body is the support. Make sure the operation is "Cut" and the Keep tools check box is ticked. Do for both legs.

Step 38:

When I hide the brace, we can see that we now have holes for the tabs.

Step 39:

As laser cutters will be making very sharp corners, we will be adding some fillets to do sharp edges.

Activate each component again, right click and isolate it. Use the fillet command which is under the Modify tab to fillet off sharp edges. 

Step 40:

This is how each component will look like after fillet.

The end product should look like this after the fillet.

Reflection: The "User Parameter" allows me to be able to easily change dimensions when they are needed to be changed. When specifying the dimensions of our product, we do not need to type the length we want but instead type on what we had named it in our "User Parameter". This way, if there is any changes to the dimensions, we do not need to change every dimensions, but only need to go to "User Parameter" and we are able to edit from there. Fusion360 will then help us to change all the dimensions which are changed.

Citations:

• 2021. Laser Cut Cell Phone Stand in Fusion 360 with Cutting Kerf automatically Added to DXF File. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RAdmbOudoo&t=20s> [Accessed 25 October 2021].