Help with new design basics - creating arc/loop for shelf bracket

[ozonshak]

Hello everyone.  I'm using Fusion 360 for the first time and getting my feet wet by printing a shelf bracket that I need.  I've watched a few tutorials, but I admit this is a difficult learning curve to get over.  I'm hoping someone can please help me with a design I'm really stuck on.  I've attached a screen shot showing the bracket I'm trying to print (bracket.jpg).  As you can see, this is not a complicated shape.  I've got the L shaped portion done so far.  What I'm struggling with is the arc/loop leading into the final vertical portion.  I've also attached a screen shot showing what I've got so far for my design (model_progress.png).  I've been trying to create an offset plane and then joining the two together using an arc but can't seem to get that to work.  I've also been trying to create a line/path away from the model, selecting the rectangular portion at the top of my model, and then doing a sweep.  However, I can't seem to get that line to intersect the model.  I've reached my frustration level, so I was hoping the community here has some tips for me 🙂  Any help you can provided would be greatly appreciated!  

Thanks!

Jason

[engineguy]

@ozonshak 

Couple of easy ways to do it, one is using all Primitive Solids and two is drawing the shape in a Sketch and then "Extruding" it as in the images below. I have attached the file as well so you can check all the operations by running the Timeline at the bottom of the screen, hope it helps a little 🙂 🙂

Regards

Rob

[ozonshak]

Awesome!  Thanks @engineguy !  That was a huge help!  For the sketch drawing technique, is there a trick to getting a smooth arch?  I was drawing the lines first and attempting to join with a 3-point arc, but I can't seem to get a smooth transition.  The very ends of the model isn't too hard - it is the inner and outer arcs in the middle I'm finding a bit difficult.

The attached model is my progress thus far.

[g-andresen]

Hello,

Without seeing the sketch, it is not possible to give any clues.

Please share your design:

file > export > save locally as f3d > attach to your next post

günther

[engineguy]

@ozonshak 

In your particular design the easiest way to get nice arcs is to draw it as straight lines and then use the "Fillet"  that is found under the "Modify" Tab when in "Edit Sketch" mode or when you are actually creating the Sketch, see image below, is this better for you 🙂 🙂

Regards

Rob

[TheCADWhisperer]

---

@ozonshak wrote:

 For the sketch drawing technique, is there a trick to getting a smooth arch? 

---

Add Tangent Constraints.

I would not use Fillet for these arcs.

There are other issues as well (duplicated dimensions, non-concentric arcs).

[ozonshak]

Thanks again for your help!  Ok, I'm at a weird issue here.  I'm very new to this tool, so I'm sure I'm making a mistake somewhere.  In order to make a change to my model, I moved the timeline back one step (before extrusion) to try and edit the sketch.  Now, every time I try and select any editing features or try to press "Q" to push/pull again, the sketch disappears.  What am I doing wrong here?  This is driving me mad 🙂  Is there an issue with my timeline or a more proper way to backtrack?

[engineguy]

@ozonshak 

@TheCADWhisperer 

Works fine with the Fillet, just create the shape as square corners and then fillet, all I did was remove the bad arcs and extend the vertical line and join across the top, would have been easier doing it from scratch but I only modified what was originally there, what is wrong with the image below please ? ? ?:) 🙂

It just works and extrudes fine, quick and simple to do !!

I did in fact do an example just using Primitive Solids in the file I uploaded, that was quick and easy as well, a few "Boxes" , "Cylinders" and "Fillets" job done 🙂 🙂 🙂

For the "Purists" on here these methods may well not be the "accepted" methods but they are simple and quick for doing such simple Models, particularly for those of us who may be somewhat "challenged" when it comes to our level of proficiency with a software we are pretty new to 🙂 🙂 🙂

Regards

Rob

[engineguy]

@ozonshak 

You don`t need to "roll back" to get to the Sketch to edit, just leave the timeline as is and click on the Sketch icon, then right click and in the list that appears select "Edit Sketch", that will open the Sketch for you to alter as you wish, once you have finished your changes just click "Finish Sketch" and your Model will be automatically updated to the changes you made to the Sketch, so don`t delete anything in the Timeline, just Edit stuff 🙂 🙂 🙂

Regards

Rob

[ozonshak]

Thank you guys very much for your help!  This is great information!

[TheCADWhisperer]

---

@engineguy wrote:

Works fine with the Fillet,

---

I repeat - I would never ever use Fillet for full round arcs.

Results in a zero length "line" that I have seen cause issues across multiple CAD programs over many years.

[laughingcreek]

I concur with @TheCADWhisperer  on the fillet, i wouldn't use it here either.  A properly constrained arc will be less problematic down the road.

@ozonshak 

How closely are you wanting to model this.  You may need to make a few adaptations to your approach to get the rounded edges all the way around.

[chrisplyler]

I'm curious...if you intend to 3D print this...why would you radius that inside corner where it's going to fit against the edge of the shelf?

[laughingcreek]

I can think of 2 possible reasons the op might have-

1-maintain the look of the original

2-the part will be stronger at that point with a radius vs a sharp corner.

[ozonshak]

@laughingcreek , thanks!  It doesn't have to be super close.  I can tweak the overall measurements once I have the basic design.

@chrisplyler This is a unique shelf bracket that I can't find anywhere, which is why I'm trying to print it.  I believe I attached a picture of the real bracket in an earlier post.  This actually mounts under the shelf and rests on a metal rod.  That inside corner can probably just be a right angle.  Going to see how it fits after printing.  The existing ones have a slightly rounded edge, but probably not needed.

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

Do you want to see how to do this right (with fully defined sketch and simplified)?

Note the simplicity of Sketch1.  3 lines and 1 arc. Done!

[ozonshak]

@TheCADWhisperer Thanks!  That is super simple!  I appreciate the help!