How do Fusion 360 experts build an assembly like this without using joints?
Gooday Marc,
I do not have extensive assembly experience,
Your Linked components, can not be used the way I would do it,
I figure I would want to insert and break the link, so editing things works the way I like to do it. (I would want the joint origin inside these components, if moved the sketches will go too.)
Because it is an Assembly file, I am not aware of how to send the file back, yet.
that said, I have adapted what I would do to this file, and there may be others who could correct me if wrong,
First I activate the root component, made a sketch on the facing side of the first linked component, (for reasons already stated)
projected the points on the end of the face near the t slot fillet,
line from those points, and
a line from midpoint of the first line, inward by 15mm. (2 in the pic)
I added a line at the centre of that sketch face, and mirrored those two lines to the other end, (lines in space with red loop in pic)
Added Joint origins on both end points of the 15mm lines.
Made a joint with the centre circle face of the moving component, to the joint origin.
Might help, demo purposes, at this stage....
@mgianzero wrote:
I have gone through quite a bit of tutorials already on F360 and haven't seen what I am asking. But I think my situation is a little unique in that I am trying to join pieces that are perpendicular to each other and doing it repetitively. Thought it was a question that would benefit greatly from a quick video snippet on how to do this. If you can reference me something that explains this for me, that would also be greatly appreciated.
Ahhhh...Ha! Got ya!
Yes, that sort of requirement of efficient machine design where you repetitively have to assemble similar parts into a design is not covered often.
It takes a little forethought and preparation but then it can be fairly efficient. Let me see what I can come up with.
You have gotten a solid answer with the first response "use joints", but you've evidently ignored it.
Then I took time to analyse the design you referenced just to find out that this was imported and not assembled in Fusion 360 at all.
So we're back to joints.
I've used Solid Works for 15 years and there you use mates, which are equivalent to joints. The same in Alibre Design which I used for 4 years, and now ZW3D. I know that same concept exists in Solid Edge, On Shape and a good number of other CAD systems.
The best practice to use joints.That answer was provided to you. Solidly.
See post #2.
When you create your extrusion, you can also create the joint origin if it doesn't exist at the point you expect it. When you actually create the joint, you can use offsets to precisely place the extrusion relative to the other side of the joint. In other words if you have an extrusion which is 25mm square and you want the edge aligned with the end of another extrusion, enter offsets of 12.5mm in the appropriate directions. You can use User Parameters to make entering and changing these easier.
ETFrench
@mgianzero wrote:
Aaah, yes! That screencast explains a lot. Thank you so much! This is what I was looking for.
So, if I understand correctly, you try to find a point (preferably a midpoint on a face) that can serve as your first joint location and a similar point on the target component.
Exactly!
I didn't think to use those points. Also, I now see the rational for using joint origins. The thing that confused me about this was that (if I understand this correctly) each component (whether linked or part of same model) has an origin associated with it. So component origin is different than joint origins, correct?
Yes, correct!
So, if you were making a similar drawing, would you have made a distributed design with linked files for all your parts, or a single multi-body design context?
It depends. For a 3D printer I'd probably try to do all of it within a single design. For a more complex device/machine I'd break it down into several larger assemblies that would be linked into one design, which would be an assembly only and might even be a design without history enabled, just joints.
Within these larger sub assemblies I'd then also try to very judgmental about when and when not to use linked components.
Also, when we were discussing repetitive parts management, you said in your previous post ...
"Yes, that sort of requirement of efficient machine design where you repetitively have to assemble similar parts into a design is not covered often.
It takes a little forethought and preparation but then it can be fairly efficient. Let me see what I can come up with. "
What exactly were you planning on showing me there?
Exactly this sort of setting up your parts so they can be assembled quickly and breaking down a larger assembly into smaller self contained sub assemblies
Marc
Even though Joints are the proper way to do assemblies you can build them without joints also like this:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/2eb26123-61d2-4bbf-add5-f2140536a604
My entire Train model was built without adding a single joint and it was way more complex then stuff like this. In addition to the point snapping you also have the align tool....
Phil Procario Jr.
Owner, Laser & CNC Creations
I'll let @PhilProcarioJr explain that considering he did a half assed job stating that this can be done but then probably hoped that others pick up his slack!
"So what are the drawbacks to doing it this way?"
For one thing you have no parametric updates to the assembly at all. Yes you can accidentally move any component. You can not simulate any motion at all without joints.
Honestly if you need parametric updates to your assembly or need to simulate motion use joints...period.
If all you want to do is put the thing together, make a simple print or render then the move and alignment tools work fine.
Personally I rarely use any joints until my assembly is completed unless I need to figure out motion of an assembly, then I assign Joints only where I need them until the end.
If I am doing client work then I always assemble with joints....period.
Again these are only my observations....I still recommend using joints as others have stated in this thread...the only real problem I have with adding joints as you build is it becomes easy to create problems you can't solve unless you really understand how they work and how to apply them correctly.
In the beginning of this thread you contradicted yourself based on what you said you wanted to do and what you expect to happen.
For instance you said "But how to they position parts like the frame and all the parts without using joints?"
I answered this with the move tool and align tool.
Second you said "So how does one create such a parametric model and place all those parts exactly where they want them?"
This was answered by @TrippyLighting you use joints and he showed you how to do that.
Why he got his panties bunched up I don't know as I was only answering the first part of your question as no one else was.
In short what you should do depends on what you plan to do with the assembly. If you never plan to do anything past a static model or if you plan to export to another CAD system then the move and alignment tools work. On the other hand if you need parametrics or motion in your assembly you need joints.
Also I might add if you plan to export your assembly to other CAD systems make SURE you DON'T use joints as the assembly can explode on import to the other CAD package.
been there done that and it sucked....
Cheers
Phil
Phil Procario Jr.
Owner, Laser & CNC Creations
Phil is a personal friend of mine (believe it or not 😉 and very experienced in many CAD systems, much more so than I am.
Your response to his post was very predictable and was precisely what I was trying to avoid, because if you open that can of worms than often you'll have to start explaining too many other things.
He needed to finish that job! He did, so he deserved and received kudos for both posts.
From the perspective of a CAD software it is irrelevant whether you are a hobbyist or a professional. You also need to realize that when you ask question here on the forum it is hard to as to what you personally want to do with the given project and even that might be irrelevant. Even if you are only want to create a rendering it is a good idea to use the software properly.
Picking up bad habits from incomplete explanations on public forums or terrible youtube tutorials is never a goo thin.
