The normal design flow goes something like this:
1) Concept the design
2) Model / detail the design
3) Find Static / Dynamic forces
4) Run Stress calculations on parts or assemblies
5) Manufacture prototype parts
In Fusion 360, I can:
1) Concept in Modeling
2) Model in Modeling
3) Find Static / Dynamic forces in ______
4) Run Stress calculations in Simulation
5) Generate CNC code in CAM
There is a missing component in Fusion.
If I am designing a rotating device, I should be able to determine the requirements for a motor. Fusion should calculate inertia, and acceleration should be an input. Then the motor size could be determined (power, torque, speed). Or, the motor could be defined with a certain power / torque / speed (any of the two), and the actual acceleration would be calculated.
If we are designing a device to lift a load, we would need to know how much force is acting through the lifting members. We would need to know how large to make the hydraulic cylinder (or pneumatic piston, or linear motor). How much force is acting on the bearings? Is the bearing big enough? What about a counterbalance spring?
If we are designing a hopper, we might want to know how much force the walls will see when a load is dumped into the hopper. How big do the shock absorbers need to be? If the load is dumped on one side from 6 feet, and bounces to the other side, what will the load be? I would want to import the resultant loads into Simulation to see if my structure will be strong enough.
I might want to design a cell phone case that can be dropped from 6 feet onto a hard surface. What will the dynamic loads be? Again, I would want import these loads into Simulation to see if the case would crack.
The possibilities are endless. Just search the internet for "Rigid Body Solver" or [pick a major CAD system] & "motion simulation" to get some ideas.
This would probably be a new module, and I understand it could be a lot of work. But there should be a number of algorithms readily available. (Many video games use a stripped down version to simulate physics.) And it would fill a hole in the current workflow. I think the effort would be worth it.
Thanks!
