creating a Trivet from an image

[litodrums]

Hello and thank you for all the support and input I've received, I appreciate it very much.

Today I began another CAM/CAD project that will be machined on my bench top CNC machine. 

 As I'm working through the steps, I new already that I'm not doing this correctly. 

I'm trying to create a Trivet using a image I've imported. I won't be actually be using this piece as a Trivet but I believe it explains at least how I want this piece to be machined. 

I've attached a file of my beginning steps which I know are not the correct. So instead of spending hours doing something wrong, I am posting early in hopes of doing the steps correctly with the supportive input from this forum.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you again

[TrippyLighting]

Aside from the pure box structure, before you design anything, try to find symmetries and patterns in a design ad then use that to your advantage.

To start find the center of symmetry (or symmetries)  and locate that in the middle of your design.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

maybe this vectorized version will do.
You have to insert it into the sketch via Insert > insert SVG and scale it if necessary.

günther

[TrippyLighting]

Here is the pattern as a solid model. I use two sketches and control point splines, but fit point splines would likely have been easier and it could also have been done in a single sketch. The rest is patterning and mirroring solid geometry!

Please go through the timeline of the attached model and see if you can make sense of it. Ask questions if something isn't clear.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@litodrums 

I would probably use pattern of features created from Ellipse rather than spline.  Might be slightly different, but only slightly.  Much more efficient.

[litodrums · Accepted solution]

Trippy I want to thank you. I was able to import, resize, extrude to dimension, and move to manufacturing and run the model.  I need to review you timeline. Not sure how to open the .3df file.

And for the other advise I received. The terminology is still uncomfortable for me.

Thank you very much and I'm off.

Michael

[Warmingup1953]

Upload the .3df and when ready Fusion 360 will prompt and offer to open.

[litodrums]

When I was running the simulation my cpu was heating right up. I had to slow down the speed but it worked. BTW I've added a gang of external computer fans underneath my computer and I also have the internal fan running flat out.

Thank you again for all your input and advise. I appreciate it very much.

[TrippyLighting]

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@litodrums wrote:

Not sure how to open the .3df file.

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It is a .f3d file. After downloading it you can open it like in any other software with File->Open etc.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

I would just like to point out that the "accepted solution" marker will be placed on the post that provided clues to the solution.
From my point of view, however, this is the contribution #4 by @TrippyLighting 

günther

[litodrums]

To TrippyLighting,

I want to thank you again. So I opened your .f3d file and have been studying it and studying it. An important point you made is to look for symmetries in a design. I observed your approach using that principle. You make it look easy!

Questions please, in sketch #10 and #11 I’m confused with the drawing. So you delineated using a box to locate a repeatable pattern? What are the zig zag lines and what operation did you use?

You are very experienced and I find myself in the dust. But I will continue to study your approach. I have several other motifs that I will want to create and machine so if I can understand your operations I’ll be able to move forward.

Again thank you for taking time
Sincerely
Michael

[TrippyLighting]

I've created a version of the design using a single sketch with a an ellipse instead of two sketches with control point splines. That should be much easier to understand.