Project Background

On week 2 of class we learned about 3D cutting and 3D modeling in Fusion 360. Having only worked with Fusion a few times, I wanted to practice learning shortcuts and the most efficient ways of modeling.

Learning Fusion 360

I built three objects using best practices from the Learn Fusion 360 in 30 days tutorial.

Lego

Bottle

Paper clip

Some of my learnings:

1. Creating objects using the pattern feature
2. Tracing images with paths and using revolve for symmetry
3. Building a curved tube starting with rectangles and adding on fillets

Building a press fit construction kit

I wanted to practice building an object with symmetry that I might actually use. We are in need of a new light fixture in my apartment so I thought this would be a good time to prototype an option for the space. I took inspiration from this fixture, but wanted to start with something simpler to ensure the connection points fit and it would not fall apart when lifted.

I created the shape in Fusion using 'user parameters' so that I could later update the design and materials with less effort. You see below that thickness was set to 4.01mm, which is less than my material thickness, 4.08mm. Why is that? When playing with the cardboard material I noticed that it compressed slightly when handled. So I decreased the thickness and did not worry too much about the size of the cuts because I knew the thickness would decrease when putting the kit together.

I also wanted to make a prototype using one file and one laser cutting session in case I needed to repeat the process. With that, I made sure the size of the print was 18 x 32 inches, the size of the cutting bed. I then laser cut using the preset measurements for 4.01mm thick mat board.

Voila! I present a prototype of the light fixture. The aesthetic is not there yet (it looks more like a space shift or a wheel) but now I have the skills to make a more beautiful version fairly easily! I will simply change the user parameters for the new material and, with the click of a button, increase the symmetric pattern on the circle.

Lessons learnt

Initially, I though the scale of the design would impact the stability. Next time, I would make the prototype a small version of the full design.