Printing a canopy plug

[pedwards2932]

I have been sharpening my Fusion 360 skills so I can make a plug for vacuum forming a Super Chipmunk canopy.  Fairly decent learning curve but the skills I learned will allow me to make just about any canopy

[Piecost]

Good work. I have a couple of questions.  Will the surface need smoothing before use and will the heated plastic damage it?

[pedwards2932]

Last one I did I vacuum formed plastic over it and glued that on the plug.  That smoothed it out.  With this one I will probably shoot some primer on it and sand it a bit.  You have to a little careful with the heat but I am using 4 mil plastic so there shouldn't be a lot of heat transfer

[Andrew D]

I have been sharpening my Fusion 360 skills so I can make a plug for vacuum forming a Super Chipmunk canopy.  Fairly decent learning curve but the skills I learned will allow me to make just about any canopy

That's really impressive work.  I use 3D cad day in day out, but it tends to be  stuff like plates, shafts and fabrications so I don't tend to deal with curves...

Any chance you could outline the method you used?

ATB

Andrew

[pedwards2932]

I took the plans for a Super Chipmunk off Outerzone and scaled them for a Veron Chipmunk plan.  I imported the top and side view of the canopy.  I used the mesh form in fusion and shaped it to fit the top view.  I rotated the mesh form 90 degrees and aligned it with the side view.  Set the mesh to mirror left and right.  That way both sides are the same then just a matter of pulling the mesh to match the outline of the side view and some pulling the mesh to the side to get the shape.  I didn't have a front view of the canopy so I just guessed at the shape. Then you go back to the solids menu. I then use the thicken tool to make it 3mm thick. Then use the sketch tool and outline the bottom of the canopy from the side view of the plan. Use split body tool and it will cut the bottom neatly using the sketch lines.  You follow the same process tracing the rest of the frame using the split body. Then you have all glass portions separated from the frame. Select the glass portions and use the modify tools/offset face and reduce them. I'm experimenting so I used .7mm.  When I pull the first canopy I will see if it is enough. I know it sounds like a lot when explained but if you are familiar with Fusion just a bit of practice and it goes pretty quick

[Andrew D]

Hi,

That's a detailed explanation, thanks for taking the time to do it.

I haven't used fusion in anger per se, only a quick look a while back.  I have use inventor at work.  They are both products of Autodesk, so I would imagine that although they look different they would have some functions...

I do have Fusion downloaded at home, so will have a go following your procedure when I next have a chance... 

Again, thanks for taking time out to write it up.

ATB

Andrew