Preface

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Computer Aided Design (CAD) packages have become ubiquitous in modern manufacturing environments. A typical parametric CAD package can support the design of a standalone component or an assembly of components, and it’s related engineering drawings. A typical parametric CAD package can also support analysis such as thermal, fluids or finite element-based analysis of mechanical properties. CAD packages even allow for simulation of kinematics, additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, and quality control inspection. Therefore, CAD skills are an important tool in a manufacturing technician’s toolbox. However, before a designer can effectively deploy a CAD package for these advanced applications, it is important to understand and become proficient in the use of a CAD package to sketch, model, and assemble a prototype of the widget.

This book has been written to help the novice CAD user gain a grasp of designing using a modern parametric CAD software package. The package used in this book is Autodesk Fusion 360. It is a relatively new package that boasts a user-friendly interface and computational load in addition to being freely available for use in an academic setting. This book introduces the novice designer to a) interface of Fusion 360, b) creating sketches using Fusion 360, c) creating three dimensional solid models using Fusion 360, d) creating an assembly of solid models, and e) creating engineering drawing using solid models.

The hope of this activity-based book is to create a self-explanatory resource to get started with using Autodesk Fusion 360. The video tutorials accompanying this text allow for the novice designer to learn this package at any location at their own pace. This is an open education resource allowing CAD instructors to build upon to meet their classroom needs.

This book would not have been possible without my co-author Meredith Tummeti’s painstaking efforts to review the initial text, provide valuable feedback, and make it compatible to the Libretext platform. I also want to thank the administration at my institution, Centralia College, for their encouragement and providing an excellent academic environment conducive to this collaborative endeavor.

Happy Learning!

-Amaninder Singh Gill, PhD
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering,
Centralia College,
Centralia, WA – 98531

March 31, 2023