Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is the process of designing parts, components or products for ease of manufacturing with an end goal of making a better product at a lower cost. This is done by simplifying, optimizing and refining the product design.
Fusion 360 is a 3D based modelling software, capable of modelling, simulation, and documentation. It was developed by AutoCAD in 2013, and is a cloud-based system with a top-down approach. This means that it allows the users to create larger structures, which are then broken down into smaller components.
Fusion 360 is free for you to use as it has an Education Licence, you just need to sign up with your school account. It does expire every year and so you just renew it when you get this message. Note: It does take about 24hrs for the licence to be processed and you will not be able to save any work until you have a educational license
Fusion360 is evolving and is currently on version 3.6. Most tutorials above version 2.8+ look the same and should function the same but be aware that there has been significant changes and sometimes you'll need to look around to find a solution to your problems.
“Being a student is easy. Learning requires actual work.”
—William Crawford
We have heaps of time to learn skills and to be fair, if you want to make things easier later on you need to put the time in to learn the software inside and out. Even if you have used the software before there is always more you can learn.
It takes 30+ hours to get comfortable in any software so keep challenging yourself to make more models and try new tools and techniques.
It is super important you take the time to actually learn the ins and outs of the software. Whilst the tutorials below are long they are well worth working through so you know how to use the software before we get into creating your own cool models.
Sadly, Blender is NOT simple. It's unlike any tool you've probably seen before and you'll quickly get frustrated if you try to get started without any expert advice. Trust me, you're going to want to learn from an expert, at least at the beginning.
Choose ONE of the following tutorials.
These are a range of tutorials that cover the ins and outs of Fusion 360 from the company themselves.
The first two series are linked below but feel free to learn more from the contents list you can see below.
The logo on the right links to their Learn page where you can view all available.
This video series follows on from the Introduction series to your left. It has 6 tutorials to help get started with creating basic sketches and constraints, and then learn how to use common solid modelling tools.
More basics of Fusion 360
The idea is the repetition of shapes to then model it and to then Lazer cut.
How creative can you be???? Take this lamp idea and make a vase or decoration for a xmas tree, or object to sit on desk like the flower pot
Check out these channels for lots more tutorials. As these are more specific you really should have a good base knowledge
A great range of tutorials that range from beginner right through
A huge range of tutorials to help you learn the very best practices for CAD modelling, create custom 3d prints and save time creating designs.
If you are smashing through the tutorials and have still got time before you need to put together your showcase then either try another tutorial on this page or go and find another on Youtube. Good channels to check out are listed above as well as Brad Talis live Streams
Here our some of last years to inspire you.....
Now it's time to move on to Design!