topic Re: Question about workflow for similar items in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Question about workflow for similar items

temiqui — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 15:53:28 GMT

I am building some components to be 3d printed that all have the same complex ends, but varying lengths. I've modeled one of length X, and now I'd like to make one of length Y. (the ends are the same, so I'm mirroring and making a half-component.) The sketch is the same except for the length. My thought was to duplicate the sketch, and then edit the length for sketch Y, but there is no feature to duplicate a sketch. If I just change the length, of course all the components change length which is not what I want.

What's the recommended workflow for this kind of thing?

Re: Question about workflow for similar items

jhackney1972 — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 16:06:43 GMT

Please attach your model for the forum users can evaluate it to determine the answer to your question.

Re: Question about workflow for similar items

ritste20 — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 17:16:14 GMT

Depending on how you structured your model and how you are separating your components, you could use parameters to vary the length of the model quickly and fairly easily. They could all be driven from the same sketch geometry to save you from having to "duplicate" sketches.

If you can attach your model or give us some screenshots somebody on the forum probably has a solution.

Regards,

Re: Question about workflow for similar items

temiqui — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 17:43:16 GMT

Well, my model doesn't even represent my intent yet, and it's an utter mess. I wanted advice on how to set this up properly, with the idea of starting over.

I want a standard corner item, and three wall items of different lengths. But I have only created one wall so far, because I haven't figured out how to make walls of different lengths. I also created a specialized fourth wall in a way that it gets completely messed up when I change the wall length. For now, I have to change wall length, and then export the stl for an item that length. Which is not ideal, as I'd like to assemble the whole thing, and it's impossible without the different length walls. The lengths for longer and shorter walls are in my user parameters under shortWallL and longWallL. I made a sketch showing the shape I indend to have when I'm done. The long and short walls have slots, the medium wall does not.

But fwiw, here is what I have. (The walls are divided horizontally because my printer has adhesion issues printing the whole height...)

EDIT: As typically happens, in the course of formulating a more precise explanation of my problem, I hit upon a solution. In fact I can think of two:

1. Create a half-sketch with all three wall lengths represented. Extrude different length profiles to new components. Mirror these.

2. Create a half-sketch with the shortest wall length, extrude vertically, then extrude horizontally to new components.... could I get three distinct different-length walls this way?

Re: Question about workflow for similar items

temiqui — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 21:32:02 GMT

Okay, I used the method #1 above, and it worked well. I'm reposting the completed project as an antidote to the embarrasment that is the first attachment. I would welcome suggestions about how to improve it, but it's at least competent.

Cheers!