Using configurations to show a range of motion.

[mark_mckann7LD]

I'm working on an adjustable bracket. I've been able to make use of rotate joints so I can move the components around and make sure there are no interferences. I'm trying to create a related drawing of the entire assembly, and I'd like to show the bracket at specific angles to show a range of motion. I thought I might be able to use configurations for this, I'm not sure how to go about associating a given angle with a given configuration. There doesn't seem to be a specific parameter for the current angle, just for values like the range, and offsets.

-Mark

[kgrunawalt]

There is a way to configure a revolute angle for example. But there isn't currently a way for a single drawing to show multiple configurations (yet), so you might be thwarted.

To configure a joint angle:

• Use the Drive joint command to set the angle
• Capture this in a Position feature. You will need to set an angle that isn't the computed angle to do this. Then you will see the Capture command at the end of the command toolbar. Capturing will create a Position feature in the timeline.
• Because you used the "drive joint" command, the Position feature will include a parameter that can be configured.

The joint might have limit parameters defined (min/max). If so, you will still need to use the Position feature to compute the model in the min or max position.

[laughingcreek · Accepted solution]

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@mark_mckann7LD wrote:

...There doesn't seem to be a specific parameter for the current angle, just for values like the range, and offsets.

-Mark

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I think you're looking for it in the wrong place.  while configuring, click on the joint in the timeline and one of the options is angle-

I don't know why someone from Autodesk would suggest a work flow using position capture.  There are loads of issues with having position captures in your timeline (most of us here suggest having exactly zero in your timeline). 

[TheCADWhisperer]

@laughingcreek 

@kgrunawalt 

Isn’t the question about 2D documentation equivalent of Autodesk Inventor Professional - Position Representations and Overlay Views?

[laughingcreek]

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@mark_mckann7LD wrote:...I'm not sure how to go about associating a given angle with a given configuration....

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@TheCADWhisperer - sounds like OP is stuck on the first part, just creating configurations with the joints set to different angles.  The 2d documentation part of the problem will be the next hurdle. 

[TheCADWhisperer]

@mark_mckann7LD 

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

[mark_mckann7LD]

This is exactly what I needed to be able to create the different configurations, Thank you! 

As for the drawings themselves, like people said, Fusion doesn't support multiple configurations in drawings. I have found a workaround, but it is very kludgey. What I ended up doing was creating a separate assembly that contains different copies of the original assembly in each different configuration. The drawing itself is of this combined assembly. I then hide the configuration models I don't want for each view. I would really rather not need to do this, but until Fusion drawings catches up with pretty much every other 3d modeling package, it looks like I'm stuck..

-Mark

[kgrunawalt]

Changing the angle of the joint feature will change were 0 is for joints that revolve around the joint origin's z axis. That works ok for revolute if you don't might changing what is 0. It essentially changes the definition of the joint rather than the current position.

Capturing a driven angle as I suggest does not redefine the joint itself but positions the joint occurrence being driven parametrically. The Position feature itself isn't very parametric -- meaning it does not typically create parameters for movement done by the move command for example. Maybe this is why it causes problems for people?

But what I describe is a workflow that IS parametric. A parameter is created that can be changed and configured. This is a little known use of the position feature. If you are brave enough to create one, you might find that it does what you want without redefining the joint zero point.

[LS43DPrinting]

Hi,

What you're showing is exactly what I'm trying to do but mine only shows this.

What am I missing to get it to show the angle option?  Is it missing because I used an as built joint?

[TheCADWhisperer]

@LS43DPrinting 

Can you File>Export your *.f3d or *.f3z file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

[LS43DPrinting]

Unfortunately I can't share this file.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@LS43DPrinting 

Can you make up a simple dummy assembly that exhibits the same behavior?

[laughingcreek]

i've been corrected on using position capture.  that actually is the right workflow for this situation.   drive the joint to a position you want to show then capture the position.  repeat for how ever many positions you need.  then right-click on each position capture in the timeline and select configure/suppress.  in the configurations table, set 1 of these position captures as un-suppressed per configuration.

[LS43DPrinting]

Very simple reconstruction of the joints.  Obviously missing the details would make it work for real but the motion and design is the same.

[LS43DPrinting]

Ah good to know. I will try it that way.   Like you mentioned before I really dislike using positioning since it is not parametric.

[laughingcreek]

so, i learned something new.  if you move the comments by dragging, you cant configure the actual angle, and you have to use the process I used before (surprising position captures).  if you actually drive the joint with the handles, then the rotation angle shows up in the position capture and can be configured.  so you only need one position capture, not one per configuration.