Fusion360 & 3d Printer Plasma Machine Torch- How To Question.

countryguy

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I am off to my next project for the 3d printer!! My machine torch on the plasma CNC table is in desperate need of a new head assy. The new part I have selected needs a special molded frame to cradle it, then 1 end will slip into a straight aluminum tube. The red handle is what the part came out of. $39. I simply need to make a 3d printed tube assy to hold the head w/ the same mount/cradle setup as the red handle but in a straight line.

My issue- In a nutshell: I'm so new to Fusion360. I created an Arc and extruded it. completed a "thicken" to .125 wall. Now I'm struggling to figure out how to make the inside cradle parts. I keep thinking 2D and want to do the outlines in draftsight, then bring into Fusion and see about extruding and curving the inner parts? Or do I create the small cradle parts and somehow place them into the solid arc? Yikes! Any ideas on how I should take a whack at this? Thanks. (thumbnail pics- Click on to open larger).
torchheadMount1.jpg f360-Torchhead_V1.jpg
 
I am off to my next project for the 3d printer!! My machine torch on the plasma CNC table is in desperate need of a new head assy. The new part I have selected needs a special molded frame to cradle it, then 1 end will slip into a straight aluminum tube. The red handle is what the part came out of. $39. I simply need to make a 3d printed tube assy to hold the head w/ the same mount/cradle setup as the red handle but in a straight line.

My issue- In a nutshell: I'm so new to Fusion360. I created an Arc and extruded it. completed a "thicken" to .125 wall. Now I'm struggling to figure out how to make the inside cradle parts. I keep thinking 2D and want to do the outlines in draftsight, then bring into Fusion and see about extruding and curving the inner parts? Or do I create the small cradle parts and somehow place them into the solid arc? Yikes! Any ideas on how I should take a whack at this? Thanks. (thumbnail pics- Click on to open larger).
View attachment 132782 View attachment 132781
Everything you want to do is possible in F360. With the sweep and extrude functions you should be able to include all the details. There are a number of great tutorials on you tube that can help you learn the functions. Jack
 
Thanks. Watching those vids past 1.5 days. Cool stuff. I will get there.
 
Short update- Hooked on this Fusion360 and how to draw in it. Took the part I needed into a 2d geometry prep. (watched several vids on youtube about setting up what looked like 2d representations of what would end up as 3D upon use of F360 create routines). I did cheat a bit and used draftsight for now on the 2D part since I'm much quicker with it- (will get there on the drawing basics in F360 over time). Pulled it into F360 and started using some of the features under the Create pull down. Very cool. All my 2D faces for the other setups will be done with sweeeps and extrudes and possibly a few others as I learn. The beauty of this new 'Maker' world with 3D printers is the speed at which you can go from 2D CAD to actual 3D CAD and a part. While plastics and other non-metal materials for now, how long before we have some fancy 3D extruder oozing 4140 in a fire-safe room where a cooled part pops a bin ready to finish to tolerance?

...Anyway- 2d and quick 3D representations of where I have ended up today. Thought it would be fun to post the progress along here being so new to both F360 and 3D printing. :) Besides, I need a new head pretty bad. That is encouragement enough!
Rough-Geometry2D- Part1.jpg Rough-Geometry2F360- Part1.jpg
 
While plastics and other non-metal materials for now, how long before we have some fancy 3D extruder oozing 4140 in a fire-safe room where a cooled part pops a bin ready to finish to tolerance?

...Anyway- 2d and quick 3D representations of where I have ended up today. Thought it would be fun to post the progress along here being so new to both F360 and 3D printing. :) Besides, I need a new head pretty bad. That is encouragement enough!
View attachment 133028 View attachment 133029
We may already be there with the 4140. They already are 3D printing stainless and other metals. They use a metal powder and fuse it with a CNC guided laser. I watched a .local manufacturer do this with stainless. Neat stuff!
 
3D printed rocket engine fuel pumps are already flying or still in testing I forget which. The Star Trek Replicator is not far off. I'm waiting for the one that will 3D print a steak dinner! :grin:
 
I saw a video of a whole house being 3D printed - basically a huge X/Y frame around the entire footprint of the house and then "extruding" a concrete/mortar sort of mix to slowly build up the walls.

I haven't seen it myself, but I have been told you can also get a dissolving filament for your standard hobby 3d printers that allows the printed object to then be cast using the lost wax casting method. Anybody tried this?
 
My son is already telling me about the dual extender heads and the water dissolve filaments . Wants to be a designer and shows me so many cool things via Youtube. Things done with the lost wax casting types.
I will check out some of the vids for the setup RJ describes. That I just have to see. We are on a cusp here imo.
Metal 3d primer I liked: http://hackaday.com/2016/05/19/its-time-for-direct-metal-3d-printing/


Jim. I did hear something about 3d printers and tissue growth someplace. I need to get out of the shop and up to the new Star Trek movie! I think Chris Pine does a great Kirk btw.

Have a great day wherever you are !

CG
 
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