Autodesk Fusion CAD & CAM & SolidWorks CAD Basics (Crash)

Learn Autodesk Fusion CAD & CAM Milling 3Axis & SolidWorks CAD Basics (Modelling - Assembly - Drafting), 2 software's!

Autodesk Fusion CAD & CAM & SolidWorks CAD Basics (Crash)
Autodesk Fusion CAD & CAM & SolidWorks CAD Basics (Crash)

Autodesk Fusion CAD & CAM & SolidWorks CAD Basics (Crash) free download

Learn Autodesk Fusion CAD & CAM Milling 3Axis & SolidWorks CAD Basics (Modelling - Assembly - Drafting), 2 software's!

Learn Autodesk Fusion & SolidWorks CAD Basics (Modelling - Assembly - Drafting)

Autodesk Fusion 360 and SolidWorks are two of the most popular Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software used in product design, engineering, and manufacturing. Here's a basic crash course to get you started with each of them:

Autodesk Fusion 360 Basics:

Fusion 360 is a cloud-based CAD tool that integrates multiple stages of the product development process, including design, engineering, and manufacturing.

  1. User Interface Overview:

    • Toolbar: Contains tools for sketching, modeling, and managing your design.

    • Browser: Shows the structure of your design with all components, bodies, and sketches.

    • Timeline: Displays a step-by-step history of your design process.

    • Canvas: Where you view and interact with your design.

  2. Creating a New Project:

    • Open Fusion 360 and create a new design (File > New Design).

    • Start by creating a 2D Sketch to define the outline of your object (Sketch > Create Sketch).

    • Use basic sketch tools like lines, circles, and rectangles to define your shape.

  3. Basic Modeling (Extrusion & Revolve):

    • Extrude: Select a closed profile and use the extrude tool to add depth (Create > Extrude).

    • Revolve: For creating objects like cylinders, select a profile and an axis, and then use the revolve tool (Create > Revolve).

  4. Assembly:

    • You can create multiple components and bring them together in an assembly (Assemble > New Component).

    • Use joints to specify how parts move relative to each other.

  5. Parametric Design:

    • Fusion 360 allows for parametric design, which means you can define dimensions and relations between objects that will adjust as you change certain parameters.

SolidWorks Basics:

SolidWorks is another popular CAD tool, well-known for its powerful parametric modeling capabilities, particularly in mechanical design.

  1. User Interface Overview:

    • Command Manager: Contains all the tools you need for sketching, features, assemblies, and drawings.

    • FeatureManager Design Tree: Displays your design’s structure, including parts, assemblies, and features.

    • Graphics Area: The main space where you view and interact with your design.

  2. Starting a New Part:

    • Open SolidWorks and start a new part (File > New > Part).

    • Create a 2D Sketch on one of the planes (Top, Front, or Right).

    • Use tools like Line, Circle, and Rectangle to define your basic shape.

  3. Extruding & Revolving:

    • Extrude: After creating your sketch, use the "Extrude Boss/Base" tool to give your sketch depth (Insert > Boss/Base > Extrude).

    • Revolve: To create symmetric parts, use "Revolve Boss/Base" (Insert > Boss/Base > Revolve).

  4. Creating an Assembly:

    • Create a new assembly (File > New > Assembly).

    • Insert parts by selecting them and placing them in the assembly.

    • Use mates (Insert > Mate) to define the relationships and movement between parts (e.g., coincident, concentric).

  5. Drawing for Manufacturing:

    • SolidWorks allows you to create detailed drawings from 3D models (File > Make Drawing from Part).

    • Create views like front, top, side, and isometric, and annotate your drawing with dimensions.

Key 3-Axis Milling CAM Features:

Adaptive Clearing (High-Efficiency Roughing)

  • Removes large amounts of material quickly and efficiently.

  • Optimized tool engagement extends tool life and reduces machining time.

Contour Milling

  • For finishing the perimeters of parts.

  • Supports climb and conventional milling with fine control over stepdowns and stepovers.

Parallel and Scallop Finishing

  • Ideal for finishing curved surfaces.

  • Parallel moves in a back-and-forth motion.

  • Scallop maintains a constant cusp height for smoother finishes.

Pocketing

  • Efficiently clears out cavities or pockets.

  • Great for 2.5D and true 3D pocket strategies.