Equation curves

[garritjacobson]

Now that we have parametrics. Can we have 2D, and 3D equation driven curves like in Inventor?

I am thinking specifically of a helical gear for a small example. We could use a 2D equation curve to generate the involute, or cycloid curve of the gear tooth profile. Next we can us the 3D equation curve to generate a custom helical curve to sweep our custom 2D curve along it to cut the tooth profile. There are a great deal more applications for an equation curve of course. I just thought of the helical gear as something we could all get behind. Just think about how difficult it would be to model an accurate helical gear with an involute gear profile in Fusion as it stands. Now think of a cycloidal tooth profile. Possible...sure -difficult...YES! I haven't tried yet, but I'm guessing it would take 2 complex profiles, a loft, and a whole lot of trig. 

[Anonymous]

Yes. I would absolutely love this function. It's possible in Solidworks, but not currently available in Fusion. It's a must have for professional engineers.

[Reenforcements]

Future consideration? Fusion 360 is my favorite CAD software. This feature would UNLEASH Fusion 360.

[olivier.stankiewicz]

Hi,

I am also looking for a way to sketch curves with an equation in Fusion 360. Funnily enough, I also need a section of an archimedes spiral. The aim is to build a rotating clamp, which wraps around a piece and in which the clamping pressures is a linear function of rotation. It's a bit frustrating that it is not possible. 

Best,

Olivier

[AdamEllison]

I would just like to bump this idea again. I commented on this idea 3 years ago and was hoping to see some progress by now. It is currently the biggest feature holding Fusion back for my work designing robot actuators for industrial automation.

[Anonymous]

This would be extremely useful for creating custom thread profiles that follow a drafted surface such as on injection molded parts like caps. Having the ability to sweep a profile along a 3D helix (coil) would that is generated using an equation is much easier and more adaptable when driven by an equation.

The additional option of using a 2D sketch to define the shape of the profile as it moves along the swept path would have huge benefits to defining cross section along a given path. This would be similar to using the graph and trajpar (trajectory parameter) in other parametric CAD packages.

Even if this was part of Fusion 360 Ultimate it would be worth the additional cost to create these more complex geometries. 

[MetalDawg]

Equation curves and gears in general I feel is something that is never going to be a priority for Fusion. 

[Anonymous]

I would also like to see this feature.

[Anonymous]

Would also love this. I've spoken to many others who think this would really cause them to consider switching over to Fusion! Please consider implementing 🙂

[MetalDawg]

Every serious CAD program has this function.  This is a must-have for spiral gears and so many other things. A formula driven arc would be a huge boost.

[Anonymous]

I'm a mechanical engineer and suddenly realized Fusion doesn't have that feature, only to find it hasn't in years, even though it's been pointed out it's a really needed feature already. 

And I was just starting to like Fusion. Alas, back to Solidworks.

[lars.petersson]

I need this too for designing functional surfaces in pumps for example. I hope it gets added as I otherwise really like fusion, and don't want to get another package unless I have to.

Question: is it possible for a 3rd party to add this functionality as a script or add-in using the public fusion API?

[ThomasF7WDB]

Bump.

This is desperately needed for basic aerospace hobby usage. Airfoils were mentioned earlier, and it is also needed in rocketry to model Von Karman nose cones (or other Haack bodies) to minimize drag.

[akfish]

+1 for this.

I'm trying to design a reflecting telescope parametrically, which is not possible without this feature.

[MetalDawg]

Every serious CAD system has equation driven curves except Fusion 360.

Equation driven curves are used for gears, airfoils, and other requirements too numerous to list.

Autodesk Inventor has it.

[MACABItech]

I need to revolve an equation driven curve around a central axis to generate a nose cone for a rocket. I could have sworn I had done this in NX previously, but it must have been NX10 that I did that in. I realize there is a work around, like generating the geometry in another software, or even generating a point distribution in excel, but thats not exactly what I'd call a world class solution. What if the next person who accesses the file needs to modify the curve slightly? 

[RitchRock]

BUMP

[Burnum]

YES YES YES

a 3D helix curve sketch tool please, with options to change the pitch or angle (depending on what you are doing) along the way.  

Please

equation curves (in 3D) would be nice but more UI based tools are usable to by more people?

[Anonymous]

Considering this was first suggested literally years ago and its still isn't implemented doesn't have me hopeful for it being implemented soon. Thankfully Fusion's API is easy enough that I managed to code an add-on that adds this functionality. Unfortunately you can't change the equations after the fact but its a start. 

Link: https://github.com/stanfordroboticsclub/fusion360EquationCurve

Suggestions welcome

[adam]

@Anonymousnice work, I'll give it a try soon!

[Anonymous]

I feel there is a need for function based curves such as those found in Inventor, Solidworks, NX and Grasshopper.

I am particularly interested in creating a parametric helical sine wave guide rail for a heat exchanger fin design.

A true to life solid model will provide a platform for air flow and heat transfer studies as well as true to life display opportunities.

The closest that I have come to finding a solution is a youtube video at the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLYPvT5qx8E

It has all of the programmatic elements in place, But I will use a rectangular swept profile.

Thank you and Take Good Care.