Collapsible Structure

[cheri.geor]

Hi,

This was one of the first things I made in Fusion 360, a couple of months back. It was based on an actual physical model that I made, using sun board and cellophane tape.

Link : http://a360.co/29xUcvk

Each vertical member(component) is joined to members on either side, at the apex edge using cellophane tape. So this structure, basically folds up into the profile of a single member.

What is the best way to model this? 

[TrippyLighting]

What's wrong with the way you actually have modeled it ?

Or are you concerned with how to animate collapsing the structure ?

[cheri.geor]

Thats it. How do I animate it? The joint isn't really a mechanical joint - it's cellophane tape (functioning like a hinge).

[cheri.geor]

Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Is it possible to animate the model?

[TrippyLighting]

Could you share your model ?

IN general you can animate this, but you can not animate how the cellophane tape deforms when the pieces are moving. You'll have to basically model this as you described it with individual hinges, or revolute joints.

Then you'd use a motion link between the revolute joints, so al the pieces move in unison.

[cheri.geor]

Hi,

Thanks for the clarification. 

This is my model : http://a360.co/29xUcvk

Could you please suggest the best possible way to add the revolute joints.

[TrippyLighting]

My first piece of advice is not to follow this workflow : Sketch -> Body -> Component 

But to follow this workflow: Component (make sure it's activated) -> Sketch -> Body.

This is called Fusion 360 R.U.L.E #1:

Before doing anything, create a component and make sure it's activated.

All objects created after activating the component such as sketches, bodies, construction geometry, joint origins, etc.  are created in that component.

This has several advantages:

1. On activation the timeline is filtered to show only those items in the timeline that pertain to that component. That will make the quickly growing timeline much easier to work with.
2. If a component is exported to the data panel with "save as" this will also export the complete parametric design history.
3. Drawings can only be created from components
4. The joints in the "Assemble menu only work with components.

When another component needs to be edited for example to add geometry, it should be activated before doing so.

I'll post a screencast later. Got go to work now 😉

[cheri.geor]

Thank you so much for the detailed advise.

It's very helpful.

I'll follow the Activated component > Sketch > Body workflow.

[TrippyLighting]

I thought I'd pop in here really quickly to let you know that I have not forgotten about making a screencast.

However, I needed to experiment with the best way to set up the joints and motion links.

I think I have that now and will post a screencast within the next 2 days.

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

Here is a screencast of how I would approach this:

[cheri.geor]

This is exactly what I wanted. Brilliant.

I am overwhelmed that you have taken the trouble to make such a detailed screencast to solve my problem.

This has raised my confidence in Fusion 360 exponentially.

I don't know how to thank you for this. I am much obliged.