topic Re: How to easily rotate articulated monitor arm model in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

How to easily rotate articulated monitor arm model

cheer_ledge0g — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 03:55:25 GMT

I've downloaded the DWG model for this Ergotron monitor arm mount.

https://www.ergotron.com/en-us/products/product-details/45-248

DWG file here:

I'm quite new to Fusion 360, so I apologize if this is obvious, but I'm wanting to be able to adjust the monitor arm in Fusion 360 the way I would in real life. There are 5 or 6 joints in each arm. I'm using this model as part of a larger desk design, and want to ensure the arms won't run into other objects when extended to certain positions. I'm fine with rotating it one joint at a time if necessary, I'm just unclear where to begin, or how to rotate around certain joints.

Re: How to easily rotate articulated monitor arm model

TrippyLighting — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 09:43:03 GMT

This is a mesh model that is imported as individual mesh bodies,.

First those will have to be converted into components.

The I would create a rigid group joint of all the static components. That rigid group joint should include the root level origin.

Then you'll have to create assembly joints between the components. That won't work (as I just found out) because Fusion 360 does not offer snap points on this mesh garbage. So then you'll have to convert each mesh into a solid ...

At this point I would probably create a simplified CAD model with native CAD tools and only use this mesh garbage for measurements and visual reference.

Re: How to easily rotate articulated monitor arm model

cheer_ledge0g — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 21:14:24 GMT

Thank you so much, that's super helpful. Your analysis gives me context and a good starting point for diving deeper into the necessary Fusion 360 concepts. I also like the idea of just creating a simplified CAD model with correct dimensions and ditching the "pretty" mesh garbage. That seems like a more direct path to what I'm ultimately wanting to be able to do. Seems like the mesh objects are primarily intended to be used statically as-is to look pretty in architectural mock-ups. Thanks again.