Top Shell with inside space?

[eric_stammen]

Trying to figure out how to model a top cover/shell for this mount that leaves the inside open for wiring and such. would basically sit around the highlighted edges but can't wrap my head around how to draw this without doing it all manually with rounding and chamf. Trying to just keep a nice bubble shape around the interior space. 

*Added File

[TimelesslyTiredYouth]

Hi @eric_stammen 
Yes, you can create this type of shell in Fusion 360 using the Form (T-Spline) workspace, which is perfect for organic, smooth shapes. Start by switching to the Form workspace, then use the Create > Plane or Box tool to create a base surface around the highlighted edges. Use the Edit Form tool to sculpt the surface, pulling and adjusting control points to achieve the desired bubble shape while aligning it to the edges. Once satisfied, finish the form and use the Thicken tool in the Solid workspace to add thickness to your shell. Finally, create openings or refine details using standard solid modeling tools like extrude or split. This approach allows for flexibility and smooth transitions in your design.

If you could post the file in a comment, it would help us and others to solve the issue if the above doesn't help.

Kind regards

Ricky

P.S

I have no faith in what I wrote, this solution that I gave depends entirely on your capabilities when T-splining... I will be amazed if anyone who will contribute to this conversation actually agrees that it is T-splining... and using the thicken tool is very, lets say judgemental... Good Luck!

[jhackney1972]

You really do need to attach your model. If you do not know how to attach your Fusion 360 model follow these easy steps. Open the model in Fusion 360, select the File menu, then Export and save as a F3D or F3Z file to your hard drive. Then use the Attachments section, of a forum post, to attach it.

[eric_stammen]

File is attached will give this method a go. Not a pro at this by any means just playing around learning as best I can. 

[TimelesslyTiredYouth]

Hi @eric_stammen 
Just to explain why we all want the model, it's just so we can fiddle around with the design till we get your desired outcome, we can then share the design with you, and you can just watch the parametric history in play, no questions asked, easy solved problem!

Kind regards

Ricky

[TimelesslyTiredYouth]

Hi @eric_stammen 
based of what you just said, i'm guessing T-splining will most likely be a no so,

You can create a bubble shell in Fusion 360 without T-Splines by using the Loft and Shell tools. Start by creating offset planes above your highlighted edges at different heights, then sketch cross-sectional profiles (e.g., ellipses or arcs) on each plane to define the bubble’s shape. Use the Loft tool to create a smooth solid between these profiles, adjusting tangency as needed for a natural flow. Once the loft is complete, use the Shell tool to hollow out the body, leaving the bottom open if required. Finally, apply Fillets to smooth sharp edges for a rounded, bubble-like appearance. This method is simple, parametric, and effective for clean designs.

This process uses mostly basic tools that you should understand, 

I would give a model, but, due to time difference It's night so Good Luck! and we'll see if @jhackney1972 can help you further.

Sleepy Regards

Ricky😴

[TimelesslyTiredYouth]

In basic terms, what I'm trying to say is make a square on base, a square/circle on a offset plan above the base, loft, fillet to smooth edges, and shell inside!

[eric_stammen]

Thanks for the help will give these a go. Still wrapping my head around your first T-Spline concept. 

[eric_stammen]

So I got the Shell Body started by basic drawing now its just get it to form to the upper curved section leavint a space open for wiring. In the file the named bodies Shell Body and Lower Body are the two main components. 

[eric_stammen]

Think I've almost got it figured out with your advice @TimelesslyTiredYouth with drawing basic shapes around along with loft/revolve. I am having issues getting the thickness in the Loft side of things though. It meshes a bit odd but got around that by cutting the shell in the middle and mirroring but still can't get the loft to maintain a thickness. Picture from the slicer showing the holes in the file. I thought we were good based on the 3D image in Fusion. 

[TrippyLighting]

I would go back through the entire design and start constraining and dimensioning sketches properly. That is of course if you are interested in learning how o use CAD software properly!

[eric_stammen]

I know the lower base plate dimensions for screw holes and the two cam mount locations. What all would one constrain here? I haven't gotten my head working in that way I tend to just draw shapes and extrude to what I need freely. 

[g-andresen]

Hi,

The wall is too thin in 2 areas.
As an improvised solution, this can be remedied with two fillets.

günther

[TimelesslyTiredYouth]

Leave him alone, a month ago I would've called him a brother for saying that. Let him learn the hard way, and then ask for help so he can learn from mistakes, probably one of the best ways to learn...

They say begginers don't constrain.

The say experts constrain fully

What does that make me 😥🤣

[TimelesslyTiredYouth]

It's fine, for small simple designs as yours constraints aren't the biggest problem ever...

However as @TrippyLighting did say if you do want to learn CAD better you should learn to constraint, as it better for larger more complex designs

An example here would be to constrain the circles to stay in place with a specific part of the line so if you changed the length of the line using parameters, it would save time as other parts of the desing like that circle would automatically adjust with it.

or for your case as your 3d printing, instead of scaling up and down and wasting time before  3d printing, if your whole design has constraints, and parameters. You can change the sketch parameters of one component to change the size of the whole design accurately instead...

kind regards

Ricky

[TrippyLighting]

---

@TimelesslyTiredYouth wrote:

..

They say begginers don't constrain.

The say experts constrain fully

---

Who is "they" ?

As Fusion lacks fully functional primitives, a sketch is the very foundation of a design. Not dimensioning and properly constraining a sketch is just asking for trouble.

[TimelesslyTiredYouth]

Figure of speech...

yes it is asking for trouble, but it's a lot of hassle and time to learn how to constrain properly. Let them learn the hard way, let them learn from their mistakes. It shows them what are the consequences of not constraining. For those who constrain from the beggining, well done, but they don't know the consequences and can become lazy  which can cause more trouble in larger projects...

Look at me after learning the consequences. I am what you call "A Stupidly Special Case" after learning the consequences the hard way

kind Regards

Ricky