Global Scale Modeller

As many of you may know I have been designing and printing a part that I lost for a 1:10 Martin-Baker ejector seat. As there has been a lot of interest in this process I thought I would go through the steps I took to create the model.


I used the column tool to create the main tube.


I then added an extension that will later be hollowed out for the handle. I also added some reference planes.


Next, I drew a shape that will start to define the amount of "sag" the handle will have.


Here is the same idea, but on the other plane.


Now I extrude the "Z" plane


Then I cut the "Z" plane with the "X" plane shape


Now it is time to draw the basic path of the handle loop making sure to account for the extension tube that will be drawn later.


Next, Intersect the new drawing with the shape made earlier. The upper surface is the path that the tube will take.


Move the shape to the correct spot in the design


Draw a circle in the diameter of the handle.


Use the sweep tool to generate the tube using the circle and top path of the shape


Use the shell tool to hollow out the extension


Draw a circle on the front plane for the "Z" extension tube.


Extrude and hollow


Hide the handle body and draw the edge on the outer face of the extension tube


Extrude this shape


Use the filet tool to round off the edges. Do the same thing for the "Z" extension


Select the new bodies you created and use the mirror tool to copy the bodies to the opposite side. Use the central plane as the reference


Draw and extrude a second tube on the central plane. Make the extrusion symmetrical.


Draw a circle for the screw at the intersection of the extension tubes. I used the origin plane.


Extrude this upward and then cut a smaller hole.


Create a tangent plane and then draw a small rectangle in the middle. Use this shape to extrude (cut) the slot. Then mirror as before.


The basic design is now complete.


Use the Make tool to export to Meshmixer.


Use Meshmixer to export an STL.


For my printer, I open the STL in Asura3D. I use the Move command to rotate and align to the platform.


Next, I use the Support tool to automatically generate supports. I then use the slice tool to generate the gcode for my printer.

I surprized myself and found this very intersting I thought when I was clicking on the thread....hmmm computer programing is going to go right over my head.
Instead I found myself engrossed in the how and why it was done the way it was.
I have a question though Matthew how did you get the textured finish on the loops I didn't see a step for that.

digger303 wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 12:05 pm I surprized myself and found this very intersting I thought when I was clicking on the thread....hmmm computer programing is going to go right over my head.
Instead I found myself engrossed in the how and why it was done the way it was.
I have a question though Matthew how did you get the textured finish on the loops I didn't see a step for that.

It is just an appearance option. Fusion 360 has a library of materials that you can use. I used a red powder coat, carbon fiber, and a polished brass. They are just for looks, it isn't an actual texture being applied to the model. Meshmixer can make actual texture patterns, but I didn't think it would show up well enough to bother with doing.

bfrd wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 12:08 pm

digger303 wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 12:05 pm I surprized myself and found this very intersting I thought when I was clicking on the thread....hmmm computer programing is going to go right over my head.
Instead I found myself engrossed in the how and why it was done the way it was.
I have a question though Matthew how did you get the textured finish on the loops I didn't see a step for that.

It is just an appearance option. Fusion 360 has a library of materials that you can use. I used a red powder coat, carbon fiber, and a polished brass. They are just for looks, it isn't an actual texture being applied to the model. Meshmixer can make actual texture patterns, but I didn't think it would show up well enough to bother with doing.

Ok thanks

Very interesting. Very

Very, very interesting. Tempted now to invest in one of these devilish devices once we have moved and the room (and money!) becomes available!!

RangerNeil wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 2:38 pm Very, very interesting. Tempted now to invest in one of these devilish devices once we have moved and the room (and money!) becomes available!!

same boat...money flowing out of every orifice at the moment unfortunately

Fusion360 is an excellent programme, I would say for anyone new to cad and parametric modelling spend a few hours getting used to the software before spending heaps of cash on a printer. CAD programming is a lot easier to understand these days as the software is so much better and available for free.
check out Lars Christensen on you tube he's an excellent tutor.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo29kn ... ZGZ50VKvWA

Casper wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 4:14 pm Fusion360 is an excellent programme, I would say for anyone new to cad and parametric modelling spend a few hours getting used to the software before spending heaps of cash on a printer. CAD programming is a lot easier to understand these days as the software is so much better and available for free.
check out Lars Christensen on you tube he's an excellent tutor.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo29kn ... ZGZ50VKvWA

will do
researching this is exactly the stage I am at

Is Fusion360 anything like AutoCAD 3D?? I used to use that at work.....

A good basic explanation of how you did it mate fusion 360 is still baffling me a bit still I can only sit looking at it for a short time these days as it can wreck my head a bit but I am getting it slowly lol what printer are you using and also what resin if it's resin your using

RangerNeil wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:23 pm Is Fusion360 anything like AutoCAD 3D?? I used to use that at work.....

Kinda but AutoCAD is far more advanced and more tailored to industry and or Architecture and you need about £2000 to use it in it basic form I think.

Casper wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 6:26 pm

RangerNeil wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:23 pm Is Fusion360 anything like AutoCAD 3D?? I used to use that at work.....

Kinda but AutoCAD is far more advanced and more tailored to industry and or Architecture and you need about £2000 to use it in it basic form I think.

That was one of the fun parts of working for Fords.... I spent the last 6 years there working as part of a team that developed the software, tools and techniques for Virtual Manufacturing. ACAD was the cheapest of the software packages by a long shot. Oddly enough - one part of it was connected a pair of 3D printers that produced nylon parts and tools - each one was the size of a small room! An unusual system - they filled a tank with powder, we sent the print command and about 12 hours later (for the biggest stuff) it automatically sucked the loose powder out leaving the printed part to be removed and cleaned up.