topic Sweep Body Twist Axis problem in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

mchen0280 — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:58:14 GMT

Hi, I am a beginner trying to learn about Fusion Sweep Body function, I am having a problem to sweep the body along the path and trying to use the same path line as the twist aixs but keep getting errors. Tried using a constructed axis also same problem, tried creating another solid line also error. Only when I click the default axis then it works. Of course I can work around by drawing my sketch around the default axis as the center point. But then what is the usage of the field "Twist Axis" for if I cannot select another axis besides the default one.

(view in My Videos)

Also, when I tried switching from the selection of "SIngle Path" , "Path + Guided Rail" and then back to "Solid Sweep", the "Twist Axis" is missing.

Appreciate if someone can help to explain if this is a bug or my poor knowledge

Thanks.

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

johnsonshiue — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:25:40 GMT

Hi! Solid Sweep is computed quite differently from Profile Sweep. "Twist Axis" option has not been implemented in Solid Sweep. You will need to create the helical path. You may use a line profile to created a Sweep surface with a twist. Then its edges can be used as the rail for Solid Sweep.

Many thanks!

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

mchen0280 — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:26:24 GMT

Thanks Johnsonshiue for your prompt reply. So am I right to say that Solid Sweep is not fully functional as "Twist Axis" has not been implemented, however the option is available as a must fill field for Solid Sweep else it can't proceed (unless as show in the above video select the default axis).

I just wonder why "Twist Axis" has not been implemented, it is presented as a must fill field, or if Solid Sweep is not fully functional, why is it rolled out to end user?

Thanks & regards.

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

TheCADWhisperer — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:40:15 GMT

@mchen0280

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

And can you describe a bit about what you are attempting to model.

I suspect that there is a better technique.

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

mchen0280 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 03:33:56 GMT

Thanks TheCADWhisperer. I am into 3D printing and would like to generate a spring body cat model.

I can generate a new body of Helix and then thicken the thickness of the blades but there is no way I know that can do the same if the helix body is used to cut. Hence I found out there is Sweep Body option available and tried it but failed. I tried Freecad and it is possible to use the a rectangle as thickness for the helix which Fusion could not. I am reluctant to switch to Freecad because I have re-learn everything again and also find that Fusion is easier to use (to me)

What I try to do is to get any 3d model and import into Fusion and use Helix to cut the body. But the blade of Helix is way too thin for a proper print and will end up stick together. Found no way to thicken the cutting Helix. May be there is way that u can show me.

Thanks for your attention and appreciate if anyone can teach me how to achieve what I want to do.

Best regards.

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:37:18 GMT

@mchen0280

The spring is the easy geometry - simple Thicken of trimmed surface.

These other features are the hard geometry.

Can you model the body without the spring feature and Attach it here?

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

mchen0280 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 08:56:08 GMT

Thanks for the reply. Sorry I don't quite get your suggestion. My intention is to make the body of any existing model STL file spring like. The only way I could think of is to use spring (Helix) shape to cut the body so that the spring cut body retains the shape of the original body. I don't intend (and too hard for me) to build the whole model from scratch.

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

mchen0280 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:46:02 GMT

You mentioned "The spring is the easy geometry - simple Thicken of trimmed surface." If you can make this part and retain the shape of the body, please show me. Thanks.

Sorry I re-read your message and somehow feel misunderstood your msg. Anyway, I attach a sample cat.stl file if you actually request for the file to try.

Tried to upload a fusion file here but more than 71mb so please try the link here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eLkREGwFPQwJklS6T8GHD7xa2_-rCdPE/view?usp=drive_link

This is what I tried to achieve but stop at difficulties to thicken the cut so that when I print there are spaces in between cuts and will not end up sticking together...

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

mchen0280 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:51:54 GMT

Opps... my replies suddenly all disappeared after some edits..

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

mchen0280 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:01:29 GMT

Let me try to rewrite my replies again.

Attached please find the sample cat STL file attached, this is what i used in my f3d file provided below due to its file size more than 71MB.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eLkREGwFPQwJklS6T8GHD7xa2_-rCdPE/view?usp=drive_link

My intention is to use any ready made 3d model and just cut a spring like body for 3D printing. In my f3d file, I am able to cut the body using sweep profile but the cut is too thin and found no way to thicken the cut to allow more spaces between cuts, so that the 3D printed body will not stick together.

Thanks & regards.

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:08:31 GMT

@mchen0280

stl file format is not useful for this endeavor.

You should observe that there are no curves in the geometry. Not one!

All straight lines and faceted planar triangles.

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

mchen0280 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 01:04:42 GMT

Thanks a lot for your kind responds. It is my intention to import any model STL and convert to a spring body model. I have no intention and no skills to re-create the model from scratch.

Anyway thanks for your helps.

Re: Sweep Body Twist Axis problem

TrippyLighting — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:42:19 GMT

Working with imported triangulated meshes can be challenging for advanced users, let alone beginners.

The .stl format is the least desirable form of 3D Geometry and is not native to CAD software as an input format to a design process.

To create a relatively simple sloid helix the solid sweep function isn't needed. It is also the wrong tool!