I’ve been using Autodesk’s Fusion 360 app for a while to design and model objects that I print on the Form 1+, with great results. It recently gained some new simulation capabilities (see for details: November 9, 2016 Update - What's New - Fusion 360 Blog).
I tried those capabilities out on a two-part case with a snap-fit joint that I previously designed in Fusion and then successfully printed:
To the material scientists at Formlabs: It would be great if you could update the technical data sheets with some information that is currently missing (see details in the linked thread).
Wow that’s seriously cool for a hobby tool like fusion! I’d be interested whether the snap fit’s durability depends on the layer orientation?
And even more, can fusion simulate the behavior of 3D printed parts, taking anisotropy into account?
I am a R&D engineer for a huge company by day. I use PTC Creo and Solidworks literally everyday. I run a prototyping business on the side and use Fusion 360 for that…because I prefer it.
I’m curious about your reason for calling Fusion a hobby tool.
Ok. Well I don’t know who this guy is. He says it is being marketed to hobbiests, enthusiasts, education and startups. That is probably a true statement, but it is FREE to that group, and I think that is the context that is missing. They (Autodesk) are not trying to say it isn’t being built for professionals.
I can tell you from personal experience and success using Fusion 360 for business that it deserves better than to be referred to as a hobby tool.
I don’t work for Autodesk or anything, I am just a bit passionate about the products as it is such a powerful tool and is available to the masses for free. I pay for it because it generates money for me, but while you are unable to pay for it because it is not generating money for you, it is absolutely free, indefinitely, and that is something to respect.
Anyway, I don’t mean to be argumentative. I was just defending a product that I use and am very proud of and excited about.
I never used 123Design so I don’t know. I can tell you I struggled coming from Solidworks. But, when I was transitioning it was much earlier in the development cycle. I think some of the pain I felt is eased for new adopters.
It is really quite the software, definitely worth checking out for yourself.
Perhaps you were interested in using it for FDM prints, but FWIW, Formlabs claims that their prints are practically isotropic.
Yes - it looks quite awesome - I wasn’t aware of it. Downloading a copy now!
The only thing I wish it had that it apparently doesn’t do is flow simulation - I would like to simulate casting metals with it - besides that - simulating working fluids would be really neat too. OpenFoam does it, but looks quite complicated to set up. Anyone know of something easier to use?
This is so cool. I have been using Blender, Meshmixer & 123D Design. Started learning Fusion 360 on Instructables since they released their new lessons. This will definitely be helpful in my future prototypes.
I’m in the same boat right now… trying to do a generative design in Fusion 360 using Grey Pro. It would be great if Formlabs would publish a library (.adsklib) file that contains all of their materials and material properties ready to load in Fusion. I’m going to do what I can to get Grey Pro in there, but I can’t imagine I’m the only one who would want this.
