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Easily Assign Custom Mass

Easily Assign Custom Mass

In some of the work I do I need to be able to correctly estimate the weight of an entire design. In some cases I need imported parts, or components like electronics or COTS parts that I can get the mass of and need to put in my CAD model (whether via import or CADing them). However, Fusion 360's current material library doesn't allow for custom mass properties so I cannot properly assign a mass to this part, thus I cannot estimate the weight of my final model.

 

To do this, I can go into the "Manage Materials" toolbar and create a new custom material that includes the density and properties, and calculate the density based on the mass of the real part and the volume in CAD, but this is sort of tedious if I already have the mass - I would much rather there be a button in the Material Library that says "assign custom mass" in which I could quickly type in the known mass of the part without creating an entirely new material.

9 Comments
Anonymous
Not applicable

I completely agree. especially when you are using purchased parts and the CAD data are not fully detailed, for example, a hydraulic motor. the motor has a wet weight given by the manufacturer but you wouldn't want to go through and describe each seal and casting and machined part just to calculate the weight. Just say "it's 10kg". done.

Beyondforce
Advisor

This is a great idea. I don't understand why we don't have it already!

 

Ben.

Anonymous
Not applicable

I agree!  "assign custom mass" would be a powerful tool for us as well and drone and fixed wing drone designers.  If "assign custom mass" existed in Fusion 360 it would be another reason for our engineers to dump the other software solutions and only use Fusion 360.

 

Hope to see this feature soon.

 

Thanks!

 

Bret C

Beyondforce
Advisor

This is EXACTLY what we need:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLqRMSs_4mY

Anonymous
Not applicable

Was trying to figure out how to do this today only to do a quick internet search and find out the feature doesn't exist. This would be super helpful for when I want to know the mass of a large assembly that uses imported parts or skeletal geometry.

Beyondforce
Advisor

Hi @Anonymous,

 

I have create a video with a workaround. For now this is the only way to do that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wIPx9t1zlc

 

Cheers / Ben
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masureb
Autodesk

something equivalent to the the feature inside the simulation environment would be great!


 

Anonymous
Not applicable

Not being able to assign custom mass really limits the effectiveness of Fusion 360. Importing .stp files and models of components like motors, gearboxes, electronics, etc. really hose the mass calculations. 

 

Thanks,

-Matt-

Anonymous
Not applicable

being able to set to a "generic" physical material that allows you to over ride the mass in the properties box would be helpful.

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