Gears, Sprockets and chains

[Anonymous]

Hi to All Fusion Users out there.

 I am very new to the Mac and Fusion 360.

I am looking to import gears, chains etc to a project instead of spending time designing something someone has done already. I looked on the web and found Cadenas. exactly what I wanted but but but. I have just purchased an Imac and have the Mac version of Fusion. Is there a mac version of something with all these parts that are able to be imported.??? 

Any tips, tricks are very welcome. I have a ateep learning curve ahead!!

Thanks

Graham

[JamieGilchrist · Accepted solution]

HI Graham, and welcome to Fusion 360. Importing data from just about any source is easy, regardless of your chose operating system. Use the import button in your data panel (see attached image) and in the dialog that comes up you can either drag-n-drop into the target field or select files using the finder window. Once you start the import, your files will upload to Fusions cloud storage and translate the items to Fusion data so you can then insert them into your design. In the attached image, you'll see some fasteners I dowloaded from mcmaster.com, as STEP files then imported into Fusion. The source format is really inconsequential, we can handle just about every major CAD format out there (SWX, PTC, Catia, NX, STEP, IGES. . .). If you are bringing in a native assembly, say a Solid Works assembly data set, you'll need to know what is the top Assembly file and make sure you have all the children of that assembly in your selection set, otherwise the translation will likely complete, but with missing references. Hope this helps get you going. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us here in tho forum or individually for more help. enjoy, Jamie.

[JamieGilchrist · Accepted solution]

 and the attachment

[vaclav_prchlik]

Hi Graham,

We hear a lot of requests for smart mechanical components such as gears, sprockets, etc. There is an ongoing work to make these as a native part of Fusion 360. Similar as you do an extrude in Fusion 360 you may create involute teeth on your shaft. The idea is to make Fusion 360 undestand not only generic geometry (box, extrude revolve) but also mechanical engineering features and components.

Please take a look at a quick preview here: http://youtu.be/eKdTTE4j8so. 

(There is a separate topic dedicated to a similar discussion here: http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/ideas/v2/ideapage/blog-id/125/article-id/1144/page/1#comments.)

Please let me know if that would help you. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions.

Thanks,

Vasek

[Trigg3r]

I think what Graham is alluding to is whether there's a Mac installer for the Cadenas add-in linked below, as they currently only appear to offer a windows version...

https://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/FUSION/en/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com%3aparts4...

Maybe fire and email off to support@cadenas.de ? 

[Anonymous]

You might also find the spur gear script helpful; it allows you to parametically create spur gears.  You can find scripts in the file menu.

[Anonymous]

To Trigg3r

You are correct about the query of whether or not there is a Mac installer. I have even tried to copy it on my old pc and open but it has to operate with Fusion 360 cloud to import parts.
And yes I sent an email to the Cadenas support but have had no reply? will email again and again and force them to respond.

[Helmi74]

Vasek, we have seen the preview and first posts about this features nearly a year ago - is there any news about how things are going and when/if we ever will see the finished product inside Fusion360?

[vaclav_prchlik]

Hi Frank,

Thanks for your interest! My team is working on 3 areas that are really focused on making Fusion 360 even better tool for mechanical engineers and designers:

• Simulation for Fusion (for simulation savvy Engineers): Classical simulation package, multiple steps to define a simulation and standard post-processing features. Preview is here: Simulation for Fusion
• Bolted Connection, Gears and other Engineering Handbook based tools: You can take a look at a latest video from Bolted Connection here: Fusion 360 Bolted Connection
• Simulation for Designers: No numerical values, just directional guidance to remove/add a material. You can see a quick videos here: Fusion 360: Simulation for Designer, Fusion 360: Simulation for Designer (S4D) Drop Test,  Fusion 360: Simulation for Designers scaling optimization

As you can imagine there is a lot of interest in all 3 areas from our users. We are now having internal discussions of what to bring first and when (and how it fits the entitlement model of Fusion 360 / Ultimate).

My role is Software Development Manager. I lead a team of expierienced software engineers (many of them with ME background). We are working on developing the technology. Your input from these forums discussions, personal meetings, conferences (such as Autodesk University, etc.) is really helping us to deliver a technology that fits your needs. I have some influence in decision making about a delivery, but it is not my call so I'm a little hesitant to communicate plans here :- )

And to be honest - I personally do not have a clear opinion about what is more important. I have seen so many engineers taking printed engineering handbooks and spending a valuabe time by manual calculations and time consuming modeling - I believe Gears, BC, etc. are really important. From other hand it takes time, but it is doable. But without a simulation technology there are tasks that you cannot do manually. If I take a look around myself right now I see a lot of over-designed things - my chair supports seems too heavy, the metal angle that holds the bookshelf would probably carry the bookshelf full of books plus myself standing on it, etc. Engineers are trying to stay on a safe side and without a power of simulation they just add a material (over-design) to mitigate a risk.

So how to prioritize what to deliver first? Hard task. But you have one advantage that I do not have in this decision making process - your Kudos. We are watching it...

Thanks,
Vasek

[Helmi74]

Hi Vasek,

that's really some amazing stuff. I totally love the bolted connection options. Hope to see them anytime soon in Fusion.

Also thanks for your thoughts and explanation on the decision processes. I also couldn't decide what feature is more important than the other - probably that's different for everyone of us.

For me personally the Bolted connections, Gears and Sprocket generation is probably the most important but as i said - your mileage may vary.

Thanks anyway,
Frank

[Anonymous]

Hi Vasek. Does Fusion 360 now have the ability to design sprockets/gears easily? If so, where can I find it?