New! Constrain Components functionality in Fusion

Building precise and quick assemblies in Fusion can feel different, especially if you are coming from a different CAD tool. But new tools, like the constrain components command, are changing the game. Instead of relying on traditional joints, this update lets you constrain parts more naturally—like lining faces, edges, and planes. This makes assemblies faster, more accurate, and easier to modify later.

This guide shows you how to get the most out of constrain components with real-world examples. Whether you’re working on gearboxes, robotic arms, or simple brackets, you'll learn how to use different constraints to create perfect assemblies quickly.

Understanding Constrain Components in Fusion

What Are Constrain Components?

Constrain components are a new way to assemble parts in Fusion. Instead of connecting points or joint origins, you constrain parts by faces, edges, or planes—much like how you'd align physical objects. This lets you control movement with more precision, for example, lining up flat faces or cylinders.

Compared to regular joints, which often connect at points and consider movement constraints automatically, constrain components give you more direct control. You tell the software exactly which faces or edges should be aligned and it figures out how the parts should interact.

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Constraints: Rules that define how parts relate to each other.

• Degrees of freedom: How many ways a part can move or rotate.

• Constraint sets: Groups of constraints applied together for locking down degrees of freedom.

• Types of constraints: Planar (flat surfaces), cylindrical (round surfaces), revolute (rotation around an axis), and others.

• Pinning: Fixing a component in place so it doesn’t move during assembly or tests.

Tips and Best Practices for Effective Use of Constrain Components

Strategies for Efficient Assembly

• Pin parts that don’t need to move during placement.

• Add multiple constraints gradually to avoid conflicts.

• Use drag tests after each step to verify motion.

• Always check and edit constraint sets as needed.

• Use offset constraints to fine-tune positions.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Pinning a component restricts constraints; unpin if you need to move parts.

• Conflicting constraints may prevent assembly; simplify or adjust constraint types.

• Shapes that do not match constraints precisely might need custom planes or points for alignment.

Advanced Techniques

Utilizing Planes and Points for Complex Alignments

Create custom planes from three points or intersections to help with complicated shapes. Align parts along these planes for precise positioning.

Use points on edges or vertices for aligning curved or irregular parts, such as rings or cones, where flat surfaces are unavailable. Example: To rotate a ring to match an angle, use an outside edge point to guide the rotation.

Conclusion

Constrain components in Fusion are a powerful way to assemble parts with accuracy and speed. They give you direct control by lining faces, edges, and planes together instead of relying solely on joints. This method makes complex assemblies simpler and faster to build.

Practicing these techniques with real designs will help you understand how to control movement and position more precisely.

Start using constrain components in your projects today. You'll find that your CAD designs become more accurate, easier to modify, and quicker to complete. Happy designing!