Now what?

Now what?

Anonymous
Not applicable
665 Views
8 Replies
Message 1 of 9

Now what?

Anonymous
Not applicable

Good morning,

 

I'm a total newbie...  I've been learning to use Fusion 360.  I have a basic design completed (loosely phrased) for a product idea--it's just a bent piece of metal, basically.  But when I contact local fabricators, if I get any response at all, they tell me that they don't design in 3D and can't use my Fusion files.  They ask for a *.dwg or *.dxf, which I can provide; but then they ask for a drawing with dimensions--which takes me more time.  I'm thinking my prototype cost then goes up, because the fabricator has to spend more time on set-up (as opposed to just "inputting" a Fusion 360 file into a machine and pressing "go").

 

Any suggestions for a manufacturer/fabricator that can use the Fusion 360 files and produce a prototype more quickly?  Or, am I being naive because it's just not that simple?

 

Thanks in advance for any input...

 

Sincerely,

Espo

0 Likes
666 Views
8 Replies
Replies (8)
Message 2 of 9

g-andresen
Consultant
Consultant

Hi James,


@Anonymous wrote:

 .. Or, am I being naive because it's just not that simple?


 

Actually, I'm not saying that, but in this case, I'm afraid it is.

If the metal company wants it, a drawing derivation with dimensions is quickly made.

 

günther

 

 

Message 3 of 9

TheCADWhisperer
Consultant
Consultant

@Anonymous wrote:

--it's just a bent piece of metal, basically.  ...


Can you File>Export and then Attach your *.f3d file here?

Message 4 of 9

Anonymous
Not applicable

Sure I could...  Are you a manufacturer?

 

Sincerely,

Espo

0 Likes
Message 5 of 9

TheCADWhisperer
Consultant
Consultant

File>Export and then Attach your *.f3d file here.

0 Likes
Message 6 of 9

kb9ydn
Advisor
Advisor

Generally speaking, it depends on what the manufacturer specializes in.  Shops that do milling or lathe work will be able to take STEP or IGS files at a minimum, and may also be able to take other native CAD files depending on what they happen to use in house (Solidworks, Inventor, Fusion, etc.).  Shops that mostly do 2D work like plasma/laser/water jet cutting will probably want dxf/dwg because that's what their software uses.  3D models usually won't help them because the production process doesn't make use of 3D models like milling or turning does.

 

For quoting purposes it's customary to only send a dimensioned 2D drawing first.  The reason for this is that the 2D drawing will usually have extra information in it that the model doesn't.  This would be things like material, dimensional tolerances, any kind of special finishing or other processing, etc..  For more complex parts it's common to put a note on the drawing saying that the 3D model will be provided upon quote approval.  This way the shop can take that into account when determining production cost.

 

Whether or not the shop actually will use the model depends a lot on the complexity and what type of part it is.  Milled parts with 3D contours pretty much require the 3D model (STEP, IGS, etc.).  Simple 2D flat parts that don't have a million holes can many times be done right off a dimensioned 2D drawing, although sometimes the model is handy of there are a lot of holes or weird shapes.  If in doubt, you can always ask them and they will tell you what they need/prefer.

 

 

C|

Message 7 of 9

Anonymous
Not applicable

Thanks very much.  This is great information.  I appreciate it!

 

Sincerely,

Espo

0 Likes
Message 8 of 9

Ajay_Kumar_Reddy
Advocate
Advocate

If it is small part for prototype go for 3d printing.

You didn't mention what kinda part you're going fabricate.

 

If he asks you for . DWG or . DXF it is kinda related to 2d manufacturing like laser cutting, water cutting etc.,

 

Usually for these kinda works people do use DXF or DWG in some cases PDF too.

 

If it is big enough (part) change the manufacturer he is out dated. 

 

These days people can understand the work if it is 3d. It takes more time to understand the 2d.

Message 9 of 9

TheCADWhisperer
Consultant
Consultant

@Ajay_Kumar_Reddy wrote:

If it is small part for prototype go for 3d printing.

You didn't mention what kinda part you're going fabricate.


 bent piece of metal