Thin Extrude with the Fusion Dude!

Creating complex parts in Fusion often involves many steps. But what if there’s a faster way to make hollow shapes or add features without extra work? That’s where the thin extrude command shines. It simplifies modeling, saves time, and offers more control.

What Is the Thin Extrude Command in Fusion?

The Basics of Thin Extrude

Thin extrude allows you to take a simple shape and turn it into a hollow-like part with just a few clicks. Unlike the basic extrude, which makes a solid shape from a profile, thin extrude adds a specific wall thickness on the sides of selected profiles. Think of it as giving your shape a uniform skin or shell.

When Should You Use Thin Extrude?

This tool works best when you want to create:

• Hollow pipes or tubes

• Lightweight structural parts

• Features like lips, guides, or clips on your models

  
  

Why Choose Thin Extrude Over Other Methods?

Using thin extrude reduces steps in your workflow. Instead of creating a surface and then thickening it, you directly add wall thickness to a sketch. This saves time and improves accuracy. Plus, it gives you more precise control over the size and shape of your hollow features.

How to Access and Use the Thin Extrude Feature

Getting started is easy:

1. Select your sketch or profile

2. Click on the "Extrude" command

3. In the dialog box, check the "Thin Extrude" option

4. Specify the wall thickness you need

Picking the Right Profiles

You can select multiple lines or profiles at once. For example, if your sketch has several outlines, select them all to create a uniform shell.

Setting Thickness and Direction

Once you turn on thin extrude, you can:

• Enter the wall thickness

• Decide which way to extrude: one side, both sides, or centered

• Adjust the total extrusion distance

• Use the "Wall Location" setting:

  • Side 1: Extrudes inward

  • Side 2: Extrudes outward

  • Center: Equally splits the thickness on both sides

Practical Design Examples Using Thin Extrude

Making Hollow and Pipe-Like Structures

Suppose you want a pipe shape or an aluminum extrusion profile. Instead of drawing complex sketches with offsets, just sketch a simple shape, select it, and run thin extrude with a suitable wall thickness. It creates a hollow shell with accurate dimensions quickly.

Creating Complex Profiles From Sketches

For custom lips or guiding features on 3D-printed cases, projected geometry combined with thin extrude helps. Simply sketch the shape, project the lines onto the surface, and extrude thin features to fit your design.

Advanced Applications of Thin Extrude

Combining with Other Features

You can combine thin extrude with cut, join, or combine operations. For example, to create a recessed area or cut a channel, pick your target body, then extrude cut using thin extrude profiles. This process simplifies creating detailed parts quickly.

Variable Wall Thickness

While basic thin extrude uses one thickness, you can create parts with non-uniform walls. By carefully selecting profiles or using different extrude operations, you can craft intricate designs with varying wall thicknesses.

Conclusion

Mastering the thin extrude command unlocks new possibilities in Fusion. It’s a fast, flexible tool that simplifies creating hollow parts, lips, or lightweight features. If you haven’t used it much before, give it a try—you’ll find your modeling flow gets smoother. Incorporate thin extrude into your daily projects and see how much easier complex shapes become.