FUSION 360 Robust Modelling
This tutorial we will look at the component functions and how we can use it to organise our models
to keep track of sketches, bodies and other features for different parts. We will also practice some
more modelling and some different tools you haven’t used yet.
Reference information - File types
Project
▪ This is essentially the folder that contains all of the data that is related to your project. This
would include your designs, the associated drawings, and subfolders to organise any
additional components or associated data.
Design
▪ Technically a component, however if it is to be used as an assembly, there will need to be
components within it. This is the basis of all ‘parts’ in Fusion 360.
▪ This design file keeps all of your associated data inside of it also. This includes:
● Sketch and model data.
● Render images and data.
● Animation data.
● Manufacturing data. Toolpath strategies and machining setups.
● Simulation data.
Component
▪ A Component is as its name implies, an individual part. A component will contain a series of
folders within it. These are important features that need to be understood.
● Origin – This is the “zero point” in 3D space. Every component will have an origin,
it will consist of the x, y and z axis’ and the associated planes between these axis’.
● Bodies – These are the objects that make up the component. A component can
contain multiple bodies.
● Sketches – Sketches are required to create bodies, some features, and can be
utilised to create ‘joint origins’ and other associated features. These are the absolute
basics of CAD modelling in any software.
● Construction – Data stored in this folder is used to help create the geometry or
features in your component. These can be either planes, axis’ or points.
Types of Components
▪ Internal Component [1]
● This is a component that has been created within the design. It will be fully
modifiable within the design. Generally this part is unique to this particular design.
▪ Distributed Component [2]
● Indicated by the chain link icon next to the component icon. This component is
externally referenced, and is usually either an Off-The-Shelf component, which will
not/ cannot be modified. (This part is essentially inserted in a bottom-up manner.)
▪ Derived Component [3]
● Indicated by the arrow icon next to the component icon. This part is an internal
component from another design that has been “pushed” to this design. Bear in mind
that if the Component is modified in the original design, this derived part will update
within this design.
[1]
[2]
[3]
Different systems for different designs.
As there are different intentions for models drawn within Fusion 360, there is no real right or wrong
way to work. These two below show how we have worked until now, and how we will encourage
you to continue to work from now on.
Static/ Individual Component
▪ This is generally used for quick single part models. Last week's example was in this realm,
for simplicity reasons. However I would encourage using the next method for everything you
create. (You never know, that quick concept could develop into your million dollar idea,
you'd’ hate to have a CAD speedbump slow you down!)
Dynamic/ Assembly
▪ Rule #1 - Work within an activated component from the start.
● You will read a fair amount about this online. This is essentially setting up your design
properly from the start. (It is very difficult to remedy a design that has not followed this rule
further down the track.)
● Working in this method, the design does not have any sketches or features in the top level
design assembly folders or timeline. This enables the component to be exported from the
design and retain full parametric control of features. This is the
“Best Practice” example.
● Occasionally a “Layout sketch” will need to be utilised to create features that are shared
between components. This is an exception to this rule, and the sketches are created in the
top level, however these are often unavoidable. An example of this is in this video, where
the hinges and latch are needed to be designed together to allow for their feature to update
together. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ9yxoiFlqI
▪ Rule #2 – Name your stuff!
● It is much easier to navigate and distinguish between components, and there is no more
“Which part is that?” It can get really messy really quickly, especially with patterned
components. (No one likes to guess between “Component 11:1” and “Component 11:2”)
Plug Exercise
We are going to be designing a sink plug with multiple parts that can be assembled together in one
file. We will design two components, the rubber plug and plastic insert, then import a metal ring
from an external file.
Open your existing tutorial project and open a new design.
Save and name your design “Sink plug” or similar.
On the model tree you will have something that looks like the below. This is the overall model tree.
We want to make components within this for each individual part.
The circle with a dot ( ) shows that this is activated and that any sketch or model created will be
filed under this part of the tree.
We want to create two components, one for the rubber plug and one for the plastic insert. Right
click on the Sink plug header and click New Component.
Do this twice and name them Rubber plug and plastic insert by double clicking on them respectively.
Your part tree should now look like this:
If it doesn’t, delete the components and try again or ask for help!
HINT: DO THIS FOR EVERY DESIGN before you start modelling. It is easier to keep track of larger files
with lots of sketches and bodies.
Modelling!
Hover over the rubber plug heading and activate it by clicking on the circle.
HINT: This changes where our sketches will be referenced and sorted. Make sure you are always in
the right component before doing any modelling. Otherwise you will have to redo everything!
Create a sketch on one of the vertical planes like you did in the first tutorial.
Recreate the sketch below and make sure it is FULL CONSTRAINED (all lines are black) before
proceeding further.
Remember our steps from the previous tutorial!
1. Roughly sketch the geometry using the sketch tools. In this case only lines are needed.
2. Add constraints Horizontal/vertical, collinear, parallel etc; in that order, where needed.
HINT: Put a Horizontal constraint between one of the lowest corners and the origin to align
the model vertically. (The bottom most line should turn black as above)
3. Add the required dimensions. Start from the top right corner and work out. If it moves the
lines into funky locations, remember you can drag them back into place.
Add a line from the origin going up vertically. We will use this to add the 5deg dimension and to
revolve the body.
Exit the sketch and click the revolve tool under the create tab
Select the profile then the vertical line from the origin as the axis. Once done you should see the 3D
model appear.
HINT: Use the orbit controls to see the model from a 3D view.
Now use the fillet tool under the modify tab to create rounded edges on your model.
Select the three edges highlighted in the image below. You might need to orbit the model to the
below view to see them all.
Type in 1mm into the dimension entry and hit ok. You should now see your rubber plug with
rounded edges. This component is now done!
Plastic Insert
Now activate your plastic insert component.
You will notice that your rubber plug goes transparent.
Create a new sketch on one of the vertical planes
Create the fully constrained sketch below using lines, circles and 3-point arc.
Remember to add a vertical constraint for the bottom right corner to the origin to lock the model in
place and a concentric constraint to make the 3-point arc and circle around the same center.
Select Slice on the Sketch Palette to see how your new model interacts with the rubber plug.
Exist the sketch and use the revolve tool like before to create the plastic insert. This time select
both the outer profile and half the circle. Use the centreline as the revolve axis
Now in the model tree click the view toggle for the sketch we just made. This will allow us to select
the circle to make a hole through the Plastic insert.
Use the extrude tool like we did in the first tutorial and select both half’s of the circle in the plastic
insert sketch.
In the extrude palette change the Direction to Symmetric, Extent to All and Operation to Cut. This
will make the hole go through all the material in both directions.
Now you have finished both parts you are going to model!
Try put some 0.4mm fillets on the bottom edges of the plastic insert as shown and hide the sketch
the same way we showed above. You can hide the rubber plug to make the fillets easier.
Now activate the entire model by clicking activate on the Sink Plug heading
Now you can see the whole model!
Under the Assemble tab select As-built Joint. This will fix the plastic insert to the rubber plug, while
allowing it to rotate.
Select the Plastic insert then Rubber plug components in that order. Change the motion type to
revolute
Now select the revolution axis by clicking over the central cylinder of the plastic insert.
Click Ok! This will allow the plastic insert to only rotate.
Derived Component
Make sure you have downloaded the ring.zip file from learn
Extract the file into a folder you can find easily.
In the project menu click Upload and find the ring.step file that you extracted.
Once it is imported, right click and click Insert into Current Design.
The ring will appear in the model. Drag it up so it is above the model and click ok.
Now use the standard joint. This will move the part into position and constrain the movement.
Select the shown location on the ring then plastic insert.
If your part isn’t in the right position or orientation, use the flip and angle modifiers to put the part
in the right location.
Now you should be done!
Try double clicking the blue arrows to drag your ring and plastic insert around.
If done correctly your model tree should look like this. Each component having their own sketches
and bodies. If you want to edit any of the parts, make sure to activate the correct component.
