Learning Fusion 360 CAD/CAM

REK Knives

REK Knives

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 3, 2011
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5,753
I've found this software to be pretty intuitive to learn, and fun - and the fact that it has CAM integrated is pretty sweet. And the fact that it's free for students or small businesses that make less than $100k a year is a bonus.

Figured I'd start a thread where us CAD noobs can get help from any experts out there, but experts in the knife industry (so it's much more applicable to what we do!).

So what I'm facing specifically right now is - how to I make a knurled type texture on a knife scale face that's rounded? I'm going for something similar to this:


Fusion file attached (click here) so those w/ the program can see where I'm at =)
 
Looking at 18 views and no replies makes me wonder whether most are like myself who did not find fusion360 intuitive and are looking for an avenue to learn it. Or perhaps I’m just slow with a non digital brain!
 
None of the 3D programs were easy for me. I've worked with 2D AutoCAD for many years, mostly in electrical schematics. 3D is just HARD for me.
 
I have never used fusion, although I am a seasoned CAD user. There are usually a few ways to skin this type of 3d cat, and the video above you posted looks like a solid way to achieve a knurl, however Im not sure of your particular profile shape.

When you say the knife scale shape is rounded do you mean its cylindrical or a half cylinder? can you post a pic of the shape? I cant open CAD files on this machine
 
Technohedge said:
I have never used fusion, although I am a seasoned CAD user. There are usually a few ways to skin this type of 3d cat, and the video above you posted looks like a solid way to achieve a knurl, however Im not sure of your particular profile shape.

When you say the knife scale shape is rounded do you mean its cylindrical or a half cylinder? can you post a pic of the shape? I cant open CAD files on this machine
Click to expand...

yeah but mine isn't a cylinder like the one he's doing so I don't know how to get the coil to work across a face... Sure here's a few pics!

i-3vTRLKb-X3.jpg

i-MgdjJpb-X3.jpg
 
There is a reason Fusion is free. I've worked with Autocad 3D (stinks), Autocad Inventor (Better), Solid Works (Even better), Tekla Structures (Weird) & now MasterCAM & Matrix (Rhino).

Autodesk forums were pretty good on the inventor side of things. Try them.
 
razor-edge-knives said:
yeah but mine isn't a cylinder like the one he's doing so I don't know how to get the coil to work across a face... Sure here's a few pics!

i-3vTRLKb-X3.jpg

i-MgdjJpb-X3.jpg
Click to expand...

If that cross sectional profile is cylindrical and not a compound curve/spline, you may be able to make a large knurled cylinder as shown in the video you posted, cut it down the cross section you want for the scale and then chop the knife profile out of it from a tangent plane to the cylinder. That's how I would have tried it.'

If the cross section of the scale is not a cylinder then I imagine it would be a different story.
 
This is what I would do, hope it helps. Also, this explanation is based on if you're running a CNC machine. I would model in or better, scan the knife scales. You can then draw lines above your modeled in scales in the direction you want your tool to pass. Project those lines onto the modeled scales. Don't worry about the shape of the cuts into your scales, your tool size will dictate that. You just need to input how deep your tool will cut into the scales. Hope this helps.
 
Dogdrawz said:
This is what I would do, hope it helps. Also, this explanation is based on if you're running a CNC machine. I would model in or better, scan the knife scales. You can then draw lines above your modeled in scales in the direction you want your tool to pass. Project those lines onto the modeled scales. Don't worry about the shape of the cuts into your scales, your tool size will dictate that. You just need to input how deep your tool will cut into the scales. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Good call... I've heard the best way to do this is via CAM like you seem to be suggesting!
 
im about 5 years in using solidworks, it is very tricky applying features like that to surface curves. If it were me I would probably try to mill out an inlay shape and set another material in there with a pattern/texture already machined. Then just gently contour, youd achieve nearly the same result and you get inlay material options to boot. I think you can get some of that texture tech stuff from AKS.
 
I've used Inventor & Solidworks since 2002...now I'm feeling old. I never used those for CNC, just modeling, stress analysis & making drawings. I never contemplated them for CNC work. I've been using Mastercam for my 5 axis Haas machine for the past several years & no matter what the program, the trickery is still the same. You should be able to find someone on the interwebs with a model of your scales. Once you get that, it should be a lot easier to do what you want. Of course if you had a probe on your machine like mine, you could just input all the Z touchoffs from the scales & then you'd have a 3D model created. Good luck!
 
lots of cad guys here :) I was actually part of the last freshman class to take drafting/design at an actual drafting table with pencil and paper. That was in 1996. been using a computer ever since :)
 
timos- said:
lots of cad guys here :) I was actually part of the last freshman class to take drafting/design at an actual drafting table with pencil and paper. That was in 1996. been using a computer ever since :)
Click to expand...

I was there on the table in '93 & Autocad in '94. How about drawing your alphabet, with each letter covering one entire page over & over again?! Can you say hand cramps?

We were on computers when a 256mb was quick, a 356mb was fast & a 556mb was blazing. Never even had windows, but I CAD'd the crap outta a Batmobile! Tim Burtons Batmobile of course! Still have that drawing. Good times.
 
Been trying to learn Fusion and inkscape for drawing.... maybe my problem is all my computer classes were on punch cards... crayons are much simpler
 
For Inkscape, check out Skillshare.com they have some pretty awesome classes on there.
 
WC53 said:
Been trying to learn Fusion and inkscape for drawing.... maybe my problem is all my computer classes were on punch cards... crayons are much simpler
Click to expand...

Should've tried stone tablets & chisels. Cave paintings were soooo much easier.
 
Use the 3d parallel in cam, space the stepover so you get ridges, then use the perpendicular pass option. With a 5 axis machine, you can stop round stock, with a 3 axis you can do those scales.
 
Oh, forgot to mention. Don't worry about creating the texture on the model itself. Use the cam preview feature.
 
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