Designing for Assembly in Fusion 360 (Advanced CAD Tutorial)

How can you slice up parts for assembly after 3D Printing in Fusion 360? Well, turns out there's many approaches! In this video I'll walk you through how I design parts to join together after 3D Printing without requiring any additional glue or fasteners.

This video is aimed at those already comfortable with 3D Modelling basics in Fusion 360.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:25 Why slice up models up for assembly later?
2:06 Plane Cut / Surface Cut
3:38 Adding Indexing Features to a Plane Cut
4:51 Dovetails
6:15 Snaps
8:09 Screw Threads
14:04 Sweep with Twist Angle
16:39 Twist Lock
20:40 Adding Clearances

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[AustinVojta]

Personally this is the type of content I like most from you. Keep it up, Angus! :)

[flymypg]

I did my first Fusion 360 project last Saturday, by following a step-by-step tutorial video by Kevin of Product Design Online (PDO) to make a customizable stamp designed to be 3D printed. Gave the result to my sister last Sunday as part of her birthday present. The most important thing about that video, for me, was getting a feel for the Fusion 360 workflow, particularly how to make use good of the timeline, which may be The Beginner's Favorite First Fusion Feature to understand.

This video was my second Fusion 360 tutorial ever. I didn't even know this was something you did! It just showed up in my queue. I can't say I caught all that you shared, but I do know I'll be able to "git'er done" when trying it on my own. Kevin's video gave me a basic workflow "tree trunk", and your video added vital "limbs" to that tree.

Next, I'll go through the rest of your Fusion 360 videos. Why yours, instead of continuing with the rest of Kevin's excellent series? I simply like how you avoid jargon, using precise language when needed, but otherwise staying informally conversational: You move your hands around as if "shaping" your explanation. Both you and Kevin get the job done, and done very well, , but your approach provides a more pleasant and enjoyable experience.

Thanks!

BTW: I've been an engineer for over 30 years, focused primarily on embedded real-time systems such as sensors, instrumentation, vision systems, control systems and robotics. I can write software, design circuits, layout PCBs, program FPGAs, and use every machine in the workshop like a boss. But 3D CAD has always kicked my ass. I've tried all the popular programs, having limited success with SketchUp, Tinkercad, 3D Builder, OpenSCAD and more. I kept finding that some operations were intuitive and easy in one tool while being almost impossible in another, leading me to move a model back and forth between tools over and over again so I could do things in ways that I could actually accomplish. Ugh. Turns out I needed the right tool with the right teachers!

[jameslaine]

If this is 'advanced', please continue to provide this level of content; I found it to be a nice refresher.

[RomanoPRODUCTION]

The day Angus has become a maestro of 3D design. Wholesome ❤❤❤

[michaellitzkow]

Thank you so much. I love this content. I especially like the part on clearances. First, thanks for using the word "clearance" instead of calling it "tolerance" which happens in so many Fusion tutorials. More importantly, the push-pull technique is brilliant. I've been creating a "clearance" parameter and then adding it to my sketch dimensions. It does work, but it's so much more effort. I can't wait to try it your way.

[markcoren]

Perfect timing! I just pm'ed my printers and have been refreshing my F360 skills. You just made my week so much more interesting... Thanks Angus!

[makermatrix]

This was super, thanks. Some of those I'd discovered on my own but some was new and to see it all together in one place is fantastic.

[deltalima]

Thank you Angus! Since I am a complete layman when it comes to CAD modelling, I was struggling a little bit to wrap my mind around some of the problems that a design project presented to me. I kind of arrived at the concepts you described here, but the tools and methods how to implement them were not yet known to me.

I learned something today.

[TDDMakes]

This is really good Angus. I first learned Fusion using your videos a couple years ago now and I learned something new yet today. I've been sketching my clearances since the beginning but I can see huge value in the press/pull on these complex shapes. This is going to save me a pile of time. Thanks for sharing!

[trunk]

As someone who has to change models to print on my prusa mini, this is incredibly valuable. The only one like it I could find in fact.

[thingswelike]

Loved this!
There are always different ways to achieve things in fusion and there were some new ones in this for me

[ReeseTChamness]

I agree, these tutorials are super beneficial. There is not enough advanced content out there especially that is geared towards 3d printing as the final product. Thanks for all the tips!

[MrVillanuevag]

That adding clearances trick is just what I need! Thanks, Angus!

[KieranShort]

Thanks Angus! This was awesome! I've never used surfaces for cutting, but that made that dovetail look so easy! And thanks for the tip on clearances too.
They're so many good ideas here. I often have prints that are to large for my prusa i3 mk3s print bed, so this will be very very handy.

[GentleTaipan]

I saw all these reports of people 3D printing medical ventilators, which reminded me of you, which reminded me that I haven't seen your videos in a while... Then you posted!

[stargrooves]

Thank you. This was a nice, concise, simple, and helpful video.Thanks

[alanw]

This is the perfect video! I just got my first 3D printer, and I have been trying to wrap my head around designing joinery to assemble pieces together. This is exactly what I needed! Thank you for the great content 😁

[mznsoosy]

This is a quality content. Thanks dude for this huge sharing! I appreciate your design guides und tips.

[jonathanramirez]

I love the Fusion 360 advanced videos! More of this please :)

[fatmannmakesbreaks]

Awesome video! So much good stuff in this one video. Can't wait for your Easter project it looks very cool.