Cutting a curved hole into a tube?

[Anonymous]

I have tried for hours to get this shape cut into the tube. I feel like something like this should be very easy but I am totally stumped. Can someone please explain to me in details what I am doing wrong here? I will link to my actual file. The question mark shaped curved object is my cutting tool and it is placed again the tube where I want it to cut into the tube. I have included a photo of a similar product so you can get the idea of what I am making here. The one half inserts into the other and the pin follows the hole (the one I can seem to cut) so they lock together. 

https://a360.co/2IUVS3a

This is kind of what it should look like.Just one hole, the cutting tool has been duplicated for no reason.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

that's how I'd do it:

regards

günther

[chrisplyler]

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@g-andresen wrote:

Hi,

that's how I'd do it:

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Me too. Simple and accurate. No need for a "cutting tool."

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help. I am not really sure what you are doing to achieve this, but I can see that it will work if I can figure out how to do it. Thanks again. 

[lichtzeichenanlage · Accepted solution]

This screencast is a bit more detailed and I've attached the Fusion 360 file, too. Might help. 

[chrisplyler]

Hey @lichtzeichenanlage 

I totally agree with the method. I'm just wondering why you started with a circle sketch, then made a SECOND sketch to project the same exact circle into? Why not just add the bits required to extrude the slot right into the first sketch?

[lichtzeichenanlage]

@chrisplyler : I agree that this is not needed for just one slot but unless the post from @g-andresen left a few questions open for the TO I've tried to separate the tasks a bit. However - If more slots would be need I would always prefer to create a 2nd sketch. By giving proper names to the sketches it's also a nice way to document the things. 

i didn't wanted to introduce parameters and because of that I've projected the base form because it also works for other roundish forms. 

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[chrisplyler]

I understand. More complexity just for its own sake. Sounds like the kind of answer I should expect from a German robot, right?

[lichtzeichenanlage]

I guess so...

[chrisplyler]

That was a great answer. Very Human-like. I think you would pass a Turing test.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

how should the slot, especially the vertical part, be manufactured?

günther

[chrisplyler]

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@g-andresen wrote:

Hi,

how should the slot, especially the vertical part, be manufactured?

günther

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That depends on how the rest of the part is manufactured.

Cast? Just cast the part with the slot in it.

Stamped/waterjet/laser cut and rolled? Put a die cut into the stamp or waterjet or laser path to knock the slot out.

Machined? Mill the slot out using a 4th-axis setup.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

I asked  because the opening is conical.

günther

[chrisplyler]

It isn't truly conical. Not if you want the sides of the slot to be parallel with the sides of the straight pin on the nesting part. Milling the slot in a 4th-axis setup would mimic the pin sides, because you would use a straight mill and rotate/move the cylinder such that the mill follows the desired path of the pin through it.

You would do this directly, if the part is milled. You would do this in the mold, if the part is to be cast.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

It isn't truly conical.

günther

[chrisplyler]

That's a wedge. A cone is a 3D shape in which ALL point converge to a singularity.

This is an example of conical:

[Anonymous]

Is there another way because with your method the cut out tapers as it goes towards the inside of the tube so the pin that is suppose to slide around there will not fit. Your method works for a paper tube but as the thickness increases the cut out is less and less effective. 

[chrisplyler]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Is there another way because with your method the cut out tapers as it goes towards the inside of the tube so the pin that is suppose to slide around there will not fit. Your method works for a paper tube but as the thickness increases the cut out is less and less effective. 

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Use exactly the same method. Just make your sketch so that the lines defining the cut out are parallel to the center line of where the pin would be, instead of having them radially from the center. Like I've done on the right side of the picture below, assuming a 1/4" pin.

This wasn't really a Fusion 360 obstacle, right? It was a thinking-about-geometry obstacle.

[Anonymous]

I think the obstacle is that this is just way above my skill level. But I finally had a breakthrough after many hours. I never would have thought to do it the way you suggested, so thank you. If you don't mind, here is a link to my file, would you mind quickly checking that I did it right, I think the cut out's edges are parallel so the pin should slide around it. Any glaring problems you see? Thanks again.  

https://a360.co/2HrBBPI

[g-andresen]

Hi,

There was a reason why I asked about the procedure and pointed to the "cone".

günther