Parts library - reuse standard parts with private and shared parts

[Helmi74]

Am i really the first one to bringt this topic in the ideas section? Can't believe... maybe i just missed that?

I think there should be a possibility to save reusable parts in fusion with easy possibility to reuse this parts. This should be highly integrated into Fusion360 instead of just linking to an external service like Grabcad - at least if an external service is used the UI should be integrated.

Examples for such parts could be:

- extrusion profiles

- screws, bolts, nuts

- standard parts like stepper motors, belts, and so on

Parts should be exportable to the library from a component level (context menu -> export part) and easily importable into a drawing. When exporting the existing rights system from Fusion360 could be used and this way anyone could share his parts with the public, a closed workgroup or just keep them private or share with single people.

When importing it probably would be a good idea to choose if you would like to copy the part when importing or just import an instance of the part which changes when the part in the library changes (maybe advanced level, hm?).

Well that's just what came out of my head and i thought i'll write it down. I'm sure there's lots of kinks i don't see yet but hey, we can discuss it, can't we? 😉

[Oceanconcepts]

Yes, I have kind of faked this so far, making my own library of reusable parts by just exporting individual components from drawings. But unless I'm missing something the structure of Fusion is very flat, and this will rapidly become unusable as the number of files will just get too big and I will forget what I called them. Searching through the thumbnails is very slow. An O-ring is at the same level as a complex drawing. I seem to recall some earlier discussion of using standard parts libraries, but often what I need is something I need to make myself, a sensor component used in multiple designs, for instance.  It would be nice to have a kind of personal library function similar to how Materials libraries work, to store, sort, and access custom parts.

Ron

[Helmi74]

Good point ron - what i forgot on the initial post. It would be important that this not only be a file library but more kind of a database with description and tags to make it better searchable. Also if you share parts in your library with the public the description could help to make it clearer what's inside.

[vaclav_prchlik]

Please would a tightly integrated tool for Bolted Connection help here? At least with screws, bolts and nuts you are mentioning?

You can take a look at proposal here: Bolted Connection Proposal (http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Fusion-360-IdeaStation-Request-a/Bolted-Connection-for-Fusion/idi-p/48...

Or is it that your own specific bolts, nuts and washers should be easily available?

Thanks for your help,

Vasek

[Oceanconcepts]

While I like the Bolted Connection Proposal, nuts and bolts are pretty standard and easy to search, they seem like the least of the problems.  

I think what is needed here is a real work over and re-think of the Fusion file structure- one that makes it possible for the user to organize parts libraries in their own logical system. For instance, I have a library of many electronic parts I need to account for in designs, like board to board connectors, sockets, displays, piezo devices, batteries, display connectors, switches, sensor modules, and to infinity and beyond... for most of these I can get CAD files from the manufacturer, though some I need to create myself. I do need to track them by manufacturer's part number. With no way to organize these into folders or categories, it is rapidly becoming unmanageable. Paging through chronological thumbnails takes forever (could we have a list view, maybe?). And what if I don't remember what project these parts were used in? The search tool won't help as there is no way I could ever be specific enough in naming parts, and, trust me, I won't remember that what I need is a Mill-Max 0577-0-67-0121-27-10-0 (a socket for .015-.022" contact pins with organic fiber plugs on tape and reel with gold contacts and...- you get the idea). If I don't have that reference, I'm likely designing around the wrong object. While packaging doesn't necessarily alter the dimensions of the part, it does alter how things get assembled, which I need to account for.  These alter, for instance, how closely I can place two circuit boards, which directly drives the Fusion design.

In addition, I want to track some standard components, like O-rings or screws.  That's a much easier task for the search function. I would also like to have a library of modules I have put together that I could use in other designs or as references. All of this could be made a lot easier with the ability for a user to create folders or categories in their parts library. 

I know this only has six kudos and has gotten somewhat buried, but it's a big deal issue if you are trying to do anything complex and need to try to fit a lot of components.

[AbdnAllHope]

I don't see why the fusion / dashboard file system can't be a little more "traditional" without sacrificing the collaboration advancements.  I actually find the inability to delete a project kind of discourages me from starting new projects.  I end up adding a folder to an existing project instead.  I just wish I could organize projects by customer or product line or prioritize them in some other way that makes sense to me.  Activate and Deactivate is just not enough control to keep track of the hundreds of projects that will accumulate over time.

In response to the discussion above, I ended up making a project called HARDWARE.  Full of folders containing the obvious stuff.  Screws, O-Rings, common PCB's like Arduino, and Raspberry pi, etc.  So far that's worked out OK, but it does seem silly to have to elevate something like screws to PROJECT status.

I think the use of the word "flat" was a very fare and accurate description.  I suppose that I would be happy with something "higher up" than a project.  Maybe the ability to put related projects into a single folder for organization would be enough for my own purposes.

phil

[casperhofstede]

Although this idea is marked as new, in the comparison table for Fusion normal and Ultimate the parts library is listed as part of Fusion Ultimate.

Can't wait. Parts like servo's, nut and bolts etc plus the option to collaberate with other users and manufacturers providing libraries of their products.

[vittalss47]

Part Library is a basic requirement fro a design engineer

and the McMaster library which is on Fusion 360 is not at all seamless drag and drop as its own sibling inventor.

we look forward for a extensive standard part library from fusion 360 and not any commercial library to pop up with its own name or number in the BOM

I am from a different country using different standard parts made by different manufacturers and i find McMaster library to be next to useless in terms of functionality.

I am looking for seamless drag and drop parts with required spec with editable names in BOM and not a commercial sellers library of parts

[pete_rawlings]

The future is here do we have user creatable parts libraries yet ?

[Leo_Dyn]

Hi, somewhat posting to watch this thread.

But, also wondering what, if anything, are some of you using as a best possible workaround for the time being?

[sircambridge]

I come from a software background and im new to CAD, working on a personal project and hopefully taking it to low volume production. 

I am also surprised at the lack of a good standard library. in software, if you need a tool or a widget for something, you go to stack overflow, or github and find the "tried and true" library for doing whatever you need, and you write "from coolLibrary import widget.*" and then you can magically use a piece of battle-tested code with peace of mind.

in the world of CAD and plastic design, finding the "right way" to do a screw hole, or a snap fit, or even a battery terminal enclosure are nearly impossible, and you have to either find an expert who has all the knowledge in his/her head, or try and figure it out youself, spending countless hours literally *reinventing the wheel* - it feels like how people built websites in the 90s!

I think theres a massive opportunity to to improve 3D design!