Need tips on modeling challenging shape.....

[KhaiE]

  Hey all!

  I have a hard had ratcheting suspension im trying to build parts for, but im a bit unsure what the best attack is as far as modeling it in Fusion. My first thought was to cut it and flatten it, take my dimensions and sketch it out, then find a way to extrude it and wrap the shape around a sphere to get the curvature. Im not really concerned with the ratchet mechanisms on the back end, just the ribbon and all the attachement points.....

  your help is greatly appreciated!!!!!  photos attached.

[innovatenate]

You could snag a head model off of grab CAD.

https://grabcad.com/library/head-model

You could then use the pull command in the Sculpt environment to pull the head-band around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpt56ruo9K0

I hope that helps.

[TrippyLighting]

This might Ot help you for your current project, but the upcoming sheet metal functionality would per perfect to model stuff like this.

here's a thread that covers it.

[KhaiE]

   im trying to extrude from a sketch, and bend that for, staying true to all the sketch dimensions......I suppose its impossible for fusion to do at this point.

[KhaiE]

  Ive been on the edge of my seat waiting for SM.

  Is there any way for me to create a form/body from a sketch, and curve that around a sphere??  from what i can see, to can only do that to free forms.....and when i try to project the sketch to the curved surface, it distorts the dimensions........Perhaps I will have to rely on Inventor?

[innovatenate · Accepted solution]

There is not currently a wrap option in the Project Sketch to Surface command, so this creates some challenges.  It sounds like you're looking to maintain correct dimensions between a flat pattern with the bent shape. For this you will need sheet-metal functionality. This functionality will allow you to flatten this quite easily as long as the bend is going in one direction. 

If the bend/surface is changing in multiple directions at once, it might be better to use something like the ExactFlat add-in to generate the flat pattern.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcXlSD6oOhQ

In this case, you could model the thing however you see fit, and let the add-in generate the flat for you.

You could try to sign up for the limited sheet metal preview for Fusion 360.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/preview-functionality/how-to-sign-up-for-current-previews/td-p/693255...

If you have access to Inventor, that should also make quick work of it. 

I hope this helps.

Thanks,