topic Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

ManmadeMFG — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 22:17:08 GMT

Hey!

I have been commissioned to recreate this pop up library: Here . This was designed using Rhino. I am trying to figure out the best workflow with parameters in order to change/ scale the verticals and horizontals quickly and easily once it is set up. I also would need to make sure that each vertical as well as shelf can be easily nested for creating all the CAM toolpathing.

I have attached what I currently have but I am more than positive I am going to have to trash it and start over.

Thanks,

Conner

Re: Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

jhackney1972 — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 23:00:22 GMT

I think you want to use Arrange not Nesting for your Manufacturing layout. It works pretty quickly and selection is fast, just be patient. My question, where are you going to get material this large? That sketch it is laid out on is approximately 28 x 34 feet. By the way, using the existing parameters, it goes all to pieces if you try and edit them.

Re: Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

ManmadeMFG — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 23:08:17 GMT

Hey John,

thanks for this suggestion. I just got on Fusion 360 this week so I am brand new to everything here. I was assuming there was a way to split components into pieces that can fit on a specific sheet size. For example the long verticals would be split into two parts. Since this design is actually symetrical I was planning on only having to create the toolpaths for one vertical part and each of the shelves and then I would just run that toolpath multiple times to get the final result. My CNC has a 5'x10' bed so I can cut material up to those sizes.

I am more concerned with the actual modeling of this. For example how to lay this out in a circular pattern that can be changed and updated. Is there a quicker/smarter way to create the horizontal shelves rather than having to put a construct offset and drawing them in place?

Sorry for all the questions. Just really trying to get a handle on all that Fusion is capable of!

Re: Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

jhackney1972 — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 23:23:01 GMT

The answer to your first paragraph is Yes, you can split things up into separate sheets. I will give you a heads up now, you will probably forget it, but here goes. When using the Arrange command, Fusion looks at material sketches just like real life. If you want to layout 5 sheets of material, you have to have 5 sketches, you cannot have one sketch with 5 sheets laid out on it. That trips up a lot of people.

As far as the shelving, if it is symmetrical, it should not be too hard of a job. Pattern on a path may be your friend here since it may not be circular, I did not look.

I just noticed that the arches are two laminated 3/4" material, that is how you are going to splice them and make them from shorter material!

This looks like a fun project, just beginning Fusion 360 will give you a challenge, check back with questions, I am sure they will come up. One forum post you should read is this one on the two Rules of Fusion 360.

Re: Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

etfrench — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 08:54:03 GMT

Definitely trash this file and start over. The yellow warnings in the timeline will probably cause harder to debug errors later.
I don't think the envelope component serves any purpose. I would start with the frame component drawn at its current position (and don't use Move or Align to place it).
I would also use the Mirror command to create laminated frame with the YZ plane as the mirror plane.
The shelves can be drawn using on one sketch on the XY plane and a helper sketch. The helper sketch on the YZ plane (Same as frame component) would determine the radius of the inner and outer arcs by dropping vertical lines down to the XY plane. It would be less clutter to use an XY sketch for each tier. Project the helper lines to each tier sketch. I would also create joint origins on the first frame for each tier. Extrude each shelf and position with a rigid joint.

Storm is causing power failures here. I'll add more tomorrow.

p.s. I took the liberty of changing the straight section of the frame to a more pleasing curve. 😀

Re: Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

ManmadeMFG — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:31:19 GMT

@etfrench This was super helpful. I reworked the file attached here. I made the sketch geometry for the vertical pieces to be better driven by parameters in case I need to adjust the heights on the fly. Where I am having trouble is figuring out how to create parameters for the shelves. I want to have the ability to adjust things like the amount of vertical pieces as well as the spacing of each and have the shelves adjust automatically with those changes.

Re: Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

scottmoyse — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 20:42:40 GMT

@ManmadeMFG wrote:

@etfrench This was super helpful. I reworked the file attached here. I made the sketch geometry for the vertical pieces to be better driven by parameters in case I need to adjust the heights on the fly. Where I am having trouble is figuring out how to create parameters for the shelves. I want to have the ability to adjust things like the amount of vertical pieces as well as the spacing of each and have the shelves adjust automatically with those changes.

If you want to conditionally adjust the number of shelves based on the overall height of the space the shelves occupy, you will have to use this technique:

https://www.cadforum.cz/cadforum_en/how-to-use-conditional-parameter-values-in-fusion-360-tip12638

Otherwise, the only way to achieve that currently is by writing a script of some kind to adjust the spacing and pattern qty.

Re: Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

etfrench — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 00:23:17 GMT

I moved the vertical frame to its proper position relative to the Origin by editing Try3/Sketch1.
Removed unnecessary components and features.
Created the two sketch method for the shelves.
Added joint origins.
Created the Tier01 shelf and joined it to the frame. (Check the joint settings.)
Created the Tier02 shelf but left it in its original position. Just use joint settings similar to the Tier01 shelf.
Plywood isn't precisely .75" so the Thickness parameter needs to be adjusted.
Base board isn't modeled.

Re: Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

etfrench — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 08:33:10 GMT

Although Try3/Sketch1 in the previously uploaded file is fully constrained, it isn't very easy to modify parametrically because the dimensions are not relative to each other. In other words, if you want to move the structure closer to the origin, then all of the horizontal dimensions will need to be changed by the same amount.

In the sketch Elevation/Elevation in the attached file in this post, the horizontal dimensions are all based on the smallest horizontal dimension. The vertical dimensions are similarly based on the smallest vertical dimension. It is a little easier to modify.

You'll also note the use of canvasses to make the model closer to the original. (There are discrepancies in the dimensions on the Plan canvas, so I haven't spent much time trying to resolve them.)

One other note: You should verify if this structure is copyrighted and if so, do the people who commissioned you have permission to build it.

p.s. It looks like I actually modeled the wrong side. 😞

Re: Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

etfrench — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 20:52:31 GMT

Here's another version with the correct side modeled using the same method as the previous model.

I also added a version using splines which are not easy to make parametic.

The third version using slots is probably how the original was designed as all of the controlling dimensions are nice round numbers.

Forum software for uploading images is broken, so see attached files.

Re: Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

ManmadeMFG — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 21:11:41 GMT

@etfrench First of all thank you so much for your time and generosity. It is people like you who make the idea of joining the Fusion 360 community even better. I can't thank you enough, I am learning so much.

Based on the most recent file you uploaded, using the canvas, would you also then import the top down photo to then lay in the shelves? It is the horizontal pieces that continue to give me trouble. I created all the tiers using the two sketch method you provided but I was wondering if there was a more precise or efficient way. I found that when extruding them and then joining them to the joint areas, most shelves were .734" short.

Thanks,

Conner

Re: Parametric Architecture to CAM workflow

etfrench — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 21:50:47 GMT

The top down canvas is in the file in my last post. It's the 'plan' canvas. The dimensions in the canvas don't match drawing, so I don't think you'll be able to use it for the shelves. It will give you the number of frames and the total included angle of the structure.

The two sketch method for the shelves should give you very precise models. Review how I made the joint origins and how the joint is offset when creating it. Attach your file if you can't resolve it.

The forum software is currently broken for attaching images, so check the attached file.