Joints with sheet metal parts and components?

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to create a joint to allow the lid to be hinged. 

The joint command does not allow me to select the lid, which is sheet metal.

In the Sheet Metal tab, the first icon is New Component, net to Create Sketch, but when I try to create a component from the sheet metal part,  Fusion gets upset. What am I doing wrong?

The dimensions of lid is based on the dimensions of the tank, so I would like them to stay in the same document.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

Joints need the sheet metal part inside a component.

günther

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your response.

When I go to create a component, I get this error message.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

1. create component

2. create a sheet metal part within
3. create joint to 2. Component

günther

[ryan.bales · Accepted solution]

The short answer is that you cannot retroactively create components from sheet metal bodies. Components would need to be created in advance of any flanges, you can do this from the flange tool similar to extrude or other features:

The only way i can think to fix this problem for existing sheet metal bodies that reside under the main component would be to use Derive and derive them out into a new file, then bring them back in as their own component (breaking links if needed). Its a hard answer, but given the file is relatively small and the timeline short, its better to do this now than later. 

Its a little tricky as you'll need to derive the base model "frame" in three times and delete all but the sheet metal body you wish to remain in for each named body, i.e. Shroud, Front Cover, Lid will all need to have a new file created, the frame model derived in and everything removed aside from the sheet metal body of the same name. 

Then you can derive them back in:

To do this most effectively, create all three files first, then derive them into your frame model. 

*I wish there were an easier way, but Sheet Metal is very specific and a body cannot be shifted into a component

[Anonymous]

Thank you günther

[Anonymous]

Thank you Ryan.

I ended up creating new blank components and recreated the sheet metal parts in there. The Joint functions are now working.

In the past I had created new files and bringing in derives, unlinking them, converting them back into sheet metal parts and inserting them into an "Assembly" file.

Creating blank components from the start is a much, much more elegant solution.

Is there a list of common best practices I should be looking at? 

Thanks again.

[ryan.bales]

Not sure if we have one published or would even start that, too many people doing different things. For sheet metal just be clear on order of operations, especially with bodies>components. 

[JohnAsln]

I found this video which helps you to convert sheet metal body to component, it might be helpful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqVVNVN8gV4