Basic Parametric Design in Fusion 360
Introduction to Parametric Design
Parametric design is a method of creating models in CAD software where the dimensions and relationships of the model elements are driven by parameters. This allows for greater flexibility and control, enabling designers to easily make changes to their models without starting from scratch.Key Concepts
1. Parameters: These are variables that define the size and shape of your model. For example, if you have a rectangle with parameters for width and height, changing the width parameter will automatically update the rectangle's size in the model. 2. Constraints: Constraints are conditions that dictate how model elements relate to one another. They can be geometric (e.g., making two lines parallel) or dimensional (e.g., setting a fixed distance between two points).Creating a Parametric Model in Fusion 360
Step 1: Setting Parameters
To start using parametric design in Fusion 360, you can define user parameters: 1. Go to the Modify menu and select Change Parameters. 2. In the dialog, click on the + User Parameter button. 3. Name your parameter (e.g.,Width, Height) and assign a value (e.g., 10 mm, 20 mm).Example: Designing a Simple Table
Let's create a simple table model parametrically: 1. Define Parameters: -TableHeight = 750 mm
- TableWidth = 1200 mm
- TableThickness = 30 mm2. Create the Table Top:
- Use the Rectangle tool to draw a rectangle.
- Instead of entering fixed dimensions, enter the parameters:
- Width: TableWidth
- Height: TableThickness
3. Add Legs:
- Create a leg using a rectangle with parameters for its dimensions, say LegHeight = 700 mm and LegWidth = 50 mm. Use the Extrude feature to give it volume.
- Use constraints to position the legs relative to the table top, ensuring they're centered and equally spaced.
Step 2: Adjusting Parameters
With the table model created, you can easily adjust the parameters: - If you want to make the table wider, simply change theTableWidth parameter to 1500 mm in the Change Parameters dialog. The model will automatically update to reflect this change.