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3 Useful 3D Printing Apps for Fusion 360

Additive Assistant tool for Fusion 360

You've probably already explored the 3D printing capabilities of Fusion 360, and if not, you're missing out. From FFF printing to metal powder additive manufacturing, Fusion 360 tools are evolving at a rapid pace, with even more new features coming towards the end of the year. Today, we're sharing three useful 3D printing apps available on the Autodesk App Store to help you take your additive manufacturing work to the next level.

Fusion 360 FFF Post Configurator

Download here

What it is: is an application that allows you to create and configure FFF post processors.

Who: for anyone who wants to customize their device settings for printing with preset custom messages.

How it works: you can easily load custom settings for printer platform temperature, heat-up timeout, fan speed and other options. Since the result of the configurator is a traditional JavaScript post-processor, advanced users will be able to modify it.

Addition: Check out the application's tutorial for more useful information about its features.

Autodesk Netfabb® for Autodesk® Fusion 360™

Download here

What it is: If you want to seamlessly transfer Fusion 360 models to Netfabb, this app will make the process as easy as possible. In addition, with it you will be able to send all print settings to Netfabb and Netfabb Simulation, including printer selection, support data and placement of parts on the platform.

To whom: Of course, this application is for those who already have a Netfabb subscription. However, if you are using Fusion 360 and want to take your AM work to the next level, Netfabb is the perfect companion tool, providing many advanced features and capabilities for AM. Imagine that you started setting up metal powder printing with the Fusion 360 Additive build extension and manually edited the supports in Netfabb. With this application, you can easily transfer all your data from one program to another.

Addition: If you want to learn more about Netfabb, visit the product page on our website and don't forget to watch the video below.

Additive Assistant Tool

Download here

What it is: We've been saving the best for last. Additive Assistant Tool allows you to analyze models without leaving Fusion 360: the application analyzes overhang angles, potential distortion and stability problems, can determine the size of the part, and also talk about the impact of its production on the environment.

How it works: Download the application, select the object you want to analyze, and the tool will automatically highlight problem areas that need your attention or need to be changed before being sent to print.

For whom: Any specialist will confirm that the human factor does not disappear with age and experience. The Additive Assistant Tool is a must for anyone new to additive manufacturing in order to understand what pitfalls to avoid, as well as advanced users. Often there are situations when 3D printing is used to create a prototype, and in the future the real product will be produced in a completely different way. In these situations, the Additive Assistant Tool will help ensure that the part prints with as few problems as possible.

Addition: The Additive Assistant Tool is useful if you need to determine where to add supports and modify part geometry to avoid deformation. The application gives a clear visualization of problem areas, which allows you to quickly eliminate them. The tutorial will help you learn more about the features of the app.

Now that you have three powerful aces up your sleeve, it's time to get to work with Fusion 360 and put it to the test. We hope our tips will help you to significantly improve your projects. Join the official Fusion 360 VKontakte user community to stay up to date with the latest news about your favorite product.

Posted on 08 May 2021 2021-05-08 10:52:00

Preparing models for 3D printing within a single Autodesk Netfabb product

Before moving on to get acquainted with the declared program, let's say a few words about 3D printing.

3D printing is the process of creating three-dimensional objects on a 3D printer by printing material in layers based on a designed 3D model.

The Autodesk Netfabb program was created to prepare and simulate the 3D printing process, this article describes its main features.

1. Geometry creation

There are two ways to get a model into Netfabb to prepare it for 3D printing: creating geometry directly in the complex using Fusion 360 cloud CAD or importing from other programs.

Fusion 360

The Ultimate and Premium versions already include Fusion 360, the Standard version must be purchased separately. With Fusion 360, the user has extensive modeling capabilities: free, surface, solid, parametric, mesh - as well as analysis and calculation tools, built-in Generative Design technology and CNC production preparation tools.

Import

More often than not, Autodesk Netfabb imports models. Design results from conventional CAD are uploaded to Autodesk Netfabb for further work. Here are some examples of CAD files supported by Netfabb directly in source format: Autodesk Inventor, Catia, Rhino, NX, ProEngineer, Autodesk Alias, and others. Geometry from other programs can be easily imported into Autodesk Netfabb using one of the many popular neutral file formats supported by the product, a partial list of which can be seen in the picture above.

As for neutral file formats, their undoubted advantage is the support for many different 3D systems. But the downside of this popularity is that each program handles them differently, which can lead to various errors or inaccuracies when importing geometry. Of course, such geometry must be corrected before being sent to print. Autodesk Netfabb allows you to do this both manually and largely automatically.

Netfabb got direct access to Autodesk cloud storage and collaboration. The user shares a link that opens through the browser, and in any corner of the planet, another user will see the design solutions of colleagues.

2. Optimization methods

• Lattice structures

The main and most common optimization method is based on the fact that the internal volume of the model is filled with lattice structures. The concept of lattice structures is quite extensive, they can be both compounds of simple elements, and surface elements and their combinations. There are a number of built-in fill structure types, and there is an editor that allows you to generate new structure types. As a result, the model is lightened, the internal volume is filled with a weightless, but at the same time strong lattice, which is printed faster than monolithic volumes.

• Optimized Variable Density Lattice Structures

Netfabb also includes functionality to optimize a model with a lattice internal structure, resulting in the model becoming a system of shells of variable thickness, filled with lattice structures of variable density, optimized for the loads acting on the design model. Thus, the model is not only optimized for weight, but also provides the necessary strength within the specified limits.

• Topology optimization

Optimization is based on the Autodesk Nastran solver, which calculates and removes zones in the design part that do not contribute to the required strength, which makes it possible to lighten the final design.

• Generative Design

The user sets the general parameters of the designed part: search areas for a constructive solution, obstacle areas, fixed elements and zones, etc. In the given parameters, the program itself will suggest several forms of parts. The user will be able to choose the optimal form that meets the necessary requirements. This method calculates in Fusion 360.

3. Preparing to print model

• Part location

Autodesk Netfabb automatically selects the optimal position of the part in the workspace of the selected printer. The user sets the criteria for the optimal location of the model and the settings for its allowable change, after which the program will offer several optimal options, and the user will be able to choose the most suitable one.

• Creation of supports

The program can automatically create a support system of different types, for different technologies. Supports are edited for different requirements, and parts can be automatically updated as the position changes. Finely customized support types can be saved as a template for later use in other projects.

• Automatic packing

Used when it is necessary to maximize the load on all equipment in production, increase the print speed and the number of manufactured parts. With this functionality, the working space of the printer is filled as densely as possible with a multitude of simultaneously printed parts. In doing so, Autodesk Netfabb will automatically enforce user-specified restrictions and seeding rules

• Extensive machine library

Autodesk Netfabb is connected to a large number of machines. The program knows almost all the most common machines on the market - this applies to the working space and the printing technology used. If, nevertheless, the used machine is not in the library, the user can set its parameters manually.

• Trajectory Fine Tuning Utility

Any 3D printer is essentially a CNC machine, but only with an additive tool. The utility offered by Autodesk Netfabb allows you to edit control programs for the printer in a visual form at a low level, including using the built-in programming language - LUA Scripts.

4. Print analysis

3D printing, especially from metals, is a very expensive and time-consuming process, during which the user may encounter a number of problems:

• inaccurate 3D printing;
• fragility of materials;
• repeated adjustment of models and unsuccessful attempts to print;
• errors are detected too late.

To eliminate these problems, the Netfabb Simulation module is designed, which:

• simulates printing from metals;
• predicts possible problems;
• visualizes strains and stresses;
• compensates for deformations;
• protects the printer from damage.

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