Building a Scale RC Boilermaker Special Part 1: Making Small Parts

2022-02-25 | By Will Siffer

Why model circuit boards for the design?

Whenever I work on a project that will require combining 3D printing and purchased components (like this RC Boilermaker project), I always try to model the purchased components so I can make sure they fit and mount properly. While the process is not that hard to do technically, this guide will teach the basic tools of Fusion 360 such as mirror constraints, midpoint constraints, proper dimensioning, projecting geometry and joining models together.

What do I need to start this project?

This project only requires a license of Fusion 360, which actually can be obtained for free for students and personal use! You also will need a project to work on. If you are looking for an idea I also have a video about 3D Printing on my page which might inspire you to start a new project for yourself!

Constraints? Where do I use them?

Horizontal/Vertical: For when you want a certain element of your design perfectly horizontal or vertical in the plane
Coincident: Constrains two points on lines or curves together
Tangent: Constrains a curve to another object so they only touch at a point and can never cross
Equal: Makes it so if you adjust the size of one object, the other objects that are "Equally Constrained" adjust as well
Parallel/Perpendicular: Constrains two objects so they are perfectly parallel or perpendicular
Fix/Unfix: Locks the position or size of a point or object
Midpoint: Constrains one point or object so it is at the exact midpoint of another object
Concentric: Makes multiple curves concentric with each other
Collinear: Constrains two objects to a common line
Symmetry: Constrains two objects so they are symmetric
Curvature: Creates a common curve between two or more objects

I made a design in Fusion 360, but now how do I make an assembly of multiple?

Turns out, Fusion makes it really easy to make an assembly. All you have to do is click and drag your part into a new file and you are on your way to an assembly. Once you have your part in the same file you can use the Joint commands to constrain the two or more components together. Here are some common joint types:

Rigid: No degrees of freedom, components are locked together
Slider: The second component can only slide along one axis
Revolute: Part can rotate around the Joint Origin
Cylindrical: Component can rotate and slide along a single axis
Pin-Slot: Component can rotate and slide but on a different axis from each other
Planar: Component moves along 2 axes and can rotate around a single axis
Ball: Component can rotate around 3 axes

This is so much to learn, where can I learn more?

The best way to learn more about any CAD software is to practice with your own simple projects and slowly build complexity. I find that making small parts that would be functional 3D prints for around the house is the best way to practice. No matter what you choose, the more you model in CAD, the better you will get.

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Building a Scale RC Boilermaker Special Part 1: Making Small Parts

2022-02-25 | By Will Siffer

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