Assignment #5: Fusion 360 Tutorial

To begin learning Fusion 360, watch this tutorial and follow along.

Be sure to do the following:

• When the tutorial says to use an SVG file, you can use this one.
• Stop the tutorial at 28:40, or before the section on getting the file ready for 3D printing. We will go over this process in detail in a few weeks
• When you are finished with the tutorial, go to File -> Export... and save your file as type "STEP File" or file extension .step. (STEP files are a standardized file format which are used to transfer your models between CAD software tool. They maintain the geometry you've created, unlike other file formats.)
• DM me your final .step file as "A5_[name]_Tutorial".

Midterm Project: Design a Contextual Prototype

Design something in relation to an existing object in the world. An example could be a case for an Arduino (this is too simple so you cannot use this idea).

• Your contextual object must be produced through laser cutting, 3D printing or hand-cut chipboard (only if extremely cleanly cut and of an appropriate level of complexity). Bonus points if you use more than one technique.

• Projects must be approved before beginning fabrication.

One idea is to design something that solves a problem you have. Have trouble with a light switch in your house? Spice containers always falling off your shelf? Another idea is to replace an existing part. For example, maybe you would like to modify your gameboy to fit your hand better.

Midterm Assignment Schedule:

• 10/07 - Midterm Project Proposal Due
• 10/14 - Prototype Progress Check-in
• 10/21 - Midterm Presentations

Project Proposal:

Produce 10 sketches of different ideas for this project. The goal is to generate ideas, and to get them out of your head and express your thoughts visually.

• Each idea should be sketched out on it's own piece of paper and be detailed enough for someone else to understand the concept.

• Each sketch should be simple. If you are spending more than 5 minutes on each sketch, you are taking too long.

• For this class, a good sketch is being able to express an idea. It doesn't need to be realistic or have shading.

Send all 10 sketches to me as a DM, and be sure to put a note on the one you want to produce for your midterm project.

Prototype Progress Check-in:

Send documentation of your progress on your prototype in PDF format illustrating your process. Include your initial sketches, what steps you took so far, and what you will be working on across the next week. DM to me on Slack.

Midterm Presentations:

All presentations will be given in class so prepare a Powerpoint, Keynote or Google Slides presentation of your work. Be sure to also bring in your object, as well as the object it is relates to, so we can see up close what you designed.
Your presentation is to include:

• An explanation of why you chose the particular object to work with.
• Documentation of your process including sketches, photos or videos of the fabrication machines working (if applicable), and photos of your prototype in relation to its corresponding object.
• What challenges you had to overcome to produce your prototype.
• What you would do differently if you had more time, resources, experience, etc.
• Anything else you would like to share about your process.

DM me your presentation by the start of class on 10/21 as a PDF for full credit.