topic Re: joints in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

joints

matthew_pitmanZ7VN7 — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 07:24:45 GMT

Hi all, would someone be able to help me out with creating joints/sliding motion for machine vice? Design is far from strong point for me when it comes to fusion. any tutorials of help on the file would be much appreciated.

ive also attached the fusion file.

Re: joints

davebYYPCU — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:42:39 GMT

There are structural problems with the file.

There are 0nly 6 components - Joints work on Components. The missing pieces in the photo are not visible because they are bodies in the top level component, and the round base would be the only one that belongs there, if at all.

The gold and light gray bodies will have to be converted to Components.

Might help...

Re: joints

Drewpan — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:08:44 GMT

Hi,

I think I might have replied to you other message too. Hit the Documentation and

do the embedded tutorials and also do some Self Paced Learning. Time spent on

this is NEVER wasted and it only takes 2-3 hours.

As @davebYYPCU has already mentioned, there are structural issues with this file.

It is important to know the difference between Bodies, Components and Assemblies.

Bodies are used to make Components. Think of a Component as the smallest Part

that you are going to Fabricate on its own. So a Vice Jaw is a single Component but

to actually MAKE one you will build it with Bodies and manipulate it with the Tools

until you have a part to give to the Machinist or CNC Operator to make for you.

An Assembly is a group of Components that are usually joined together. So your "Vice"

will be the top Component and within this Component you will have a group of other

Components that make a Vice. To keep it simple we will say a Left and Right Jaw, a Base

that they travel within, a Screw to adjust them, a Handle on the Screw to turn the screw.

This last one could be a Sub-Assembly because the Handle and the Screw belong together

as a pair, not separate as a Part of the Vice.

In order to make your Vice work you will need Joints to make it do what it does. Only

Components can be Joined but if a group of Components are already joined in an

Assembly or Sub-assembly then you only need to join a Component to ONE of the

Components in the Assembly. You would Ground your Base Component if it isn't already.

Next you would create a Rigid Joint with one of the Jaws, lets pick the Left Jaw.

Next you would create a Sliding Joint with the Right Jaw and the Base.

The Screw would have a Rotating Joint with BOTH of the Left and Right Jaws. You would

also set up a Motion link so that when you rotate the Screw then the Right Jaw would

advance along the slide.

Finally you would put a Revolute Joint on the Handle and the Screw.

This is a VERY Basic setup but more or less it is what you want to achieve. Hit the Docs

and SPL and you will get a good feel for the software. It will come together, you just need

a little time to get the basics.

Once you have the Basics worked out then YouTube has videos from @TheCADWhisperer

and some other regular members of this Forum. Learn Everything About Design (LEAD)

also has good material and AutoDesk has some great stuff on YouTube and also AutoDesk

University.

The world is your Mollusc (that's fancy talk for Oyster)

Cheers

Andrew

Re: joints

pkomatlapalli — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:50:10 GMT

Hi @matthew_pitmanZ7VN7,

Did the suggestions from davebYYPCU and Drewpan help resolve your issue?
If so, please consider marking the reply that helped as the Accepted Solution. This helps other community members find answers more quickly.
If not, please share an update so the community can continue to assist.

Re: joints

matthew_pitmanZ7VN7 — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:04:46 GMT

Hi, i went back through and re did it myself as i need different models and so on so didnt really use this solution.