Lego Art Using Fusion 360
Introduction: Lego Art Using Fusion 360
For this project, I decided to use Fusion 360's exploded view and drawing features to create 'assembly art'. Legos are in their best state when they are being assembled - when simple blocks begin to form more complex shapes and familiar profiles. Rather than just carve a Lego model, I wanted to capture Legos in their best state.
Supplies
To complete this project, you will need:
- A reasonably powerful PC or laptop running Fusion 360 and Inkscape
- A Lego set
- A pair of precision calipers
- Access to a CNC router and it's component software
- Wood, ideally hardwood like oak or walnut
- 220 & 400 grit sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Black spray paint
Step 1: Model Your Bricks
If you're new to 3D modeling, this is a great introductory project since Lego bricks are pretty easy to model and assemble. I'll go through the basic process for modeling simple parts. Key phrases are in bold - if you need more information, Googing these words will help. For more advanced parts, you may need to find a video explaining how to use certain features, like lofts.
Modeling a Flat 1x2 Brick
Step 1: Create a sketch and choose a plane
When creating 3D models, a sketch is usually your first step. In Fusion, when creating a sketch, you choose which plane to create it on. By default, you have 3 planes (xy, yz, xz) that create your basic views: Front (xy), Top (xz) and right (yz). For this part, select the xz plane.
Step 2: Create a box and dimension it
In order to correctly size your sketch, dimensions are used to constrain it - we'll talk more about these later. Using the box tool, create a simple box of any size. You have the option to specify box size when you create it, or you can use the dimension tool. Measure you bricks with your calipers - you will find the piece has a rounded length of 15.9 mm and a width of 7.8 mm. Since our corner was created at the origin, it is has enough constraints and ready for extrusion.
Step 3: Extrude your sketch
Extruding adds a third dimension to our 2D sketch, making it a 3D object. Use the extrude tool and select the sketch area you just created. On the right panel, in the 'distance' field, specify 3.2 mm.
Step 4: Create a sketch with constraints
Next we're going to create the two top studs and practice using constraints. Click on the top of your new 3D box and create a new sketch. Use the circle tool to create two circles - both are 4.9 mm. The distance between the circles is 8 mm. 737
Rather than place these circles using distance, we can reference other sketch elements, like the length and width of the square. To do this, create a point by clicking on 'create' < 'point'. If you hover around the middle of your lines, you'll notice a triangle appear, indicating you are hovering over the midpoint of the line. Click to place a line. Do this for your length and width lines.
Crate a line between the two circles by clicking 'create' < 'line'. Once placed, right click it and in the drop down menu, click 'normal/construction'. A construction line is used for constraining and does not affect your sketch. Create a point at the midpoint of this construction line.
Finally, in the top menu in the constraints tab, click on horizontal/vertical. This constraint forces the selected points to become horizontal or vertical with one another, following all previous constraints, such as distance. Click on the length midpoint, then the construction line midpoint. Do the same for the vertical midpoint and your circle midpoint. Your sketch is now accurate. Extrude these studs by 1.7 mm.
Step 5: Use an offset to hollow out the bottom
An offset takes a previous sketch and recreates it, uniformly larger or smaller based on your input. To do this, rotate your model and create a new sketch on the bottom of the brick. Click the 'offset' button, then click on the brick outline. Enter a value of -1.6 mm. The box is created with distance constraints so it is already fully defined.
Since the bottom of the brick has a center post, create a new circle with a diameter of 3 mm in the center. When you extrude, select the inner area without clicking on the center circle. Enter -2.5 mm, creating a cut that leaves the center post.
Step 6 (Optional): Final detail sketch
Practice step 4 on the small holes on the bottom of the brick. 110