Practical Fusion360 Course: Mastering Design for FDM 3D Printing

The user is unhappy with the paid CAD training, specifically mentioning, "They don't share all the tips for designing in Fusion 360 for FDM." This points to a clear need for a resource that focuses on the practical aspects of designing for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing using Fusion 360.

Product Opportunity: Specialized Information Resource - Advanced Fusion 360 for FDM Design Course/Guide

Specific Product Suggestion: An online video course or a comprehensive e-book/video series titled: "Mastering Fusion 360 for Flawless FDM Prints: Advanced Tips & Techniques."

This resource would go beyond basic CAD instruction and dive into FDM-specific design strategies within Fusion 360, covering topics such as:

1. Designing for Overhangs and Bridges: Techniques to minimize or design effective supports, and how to create self-supporting geometries.
2. Wall Thickness & Infill Optimization: Best practices for wall thickness (e.g., multiples of nozzle diameter, minimums for strength) and how design impacts infill choices for strength vs. speed.
3. Strategic Print Orientation Planning: How to design parts with optimal print orientation in mind from the start to maximize strength and surface finish, and minimize supports.
4. Tolerances & Clearances for FDM: Designing parts for assembly, accounting for FDM printer inaccuracies and material shrinkage.
5. Material-Specific Design Considerations: Adjusting designs based on the properties of common FDM materials (PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, etc.), covering aspects like warping, stringing, and bridging capabilities.
6. Part Splitting & Assembly: Techniques for designing large or complex objects to be printed in multiple pieces and assembled, including joint design (e.g., dovetails, pegs, bolt holes).
7. Thread Design for FDM: Best practices for modeling printable threads or integrating hardware.
8. Minimizing Warping & Ensuring Bed Adhesion: Design features that help prevent warping and improve first-layer adhesion.
9. Designing for Strength in Anisotropic FDM Parts: Understanding layer lines and orienting features for maximum durability.
10. Fusion 360 Specific Workflows: Leveraging specific Fusion 360 tools and features (e.g., parameters, shelling, patch workspace for repairs) that are particularly useful for FDM design.
11. Troubleshooting Common Design-Related Print Failures: Identifying and correcting design flaws that lead to print issues.

Expected Benefits for Users:

• Higher Print Success Rates: Users will learn to design parts that are inherently more printable on FDM machines, leading to fewer failed prints.
• Reduced Material Waste and Printing Time: Optimized designs and fewer failures mean less wasted filament and machine time.
• Creation of More Functional and Durable Parts: Understanding FDM constraints allows for the design of stronger, more reliable printed objects.
• Improved Aesthetics: Knowledge of how design choices affect surface finish and details specific to FDM.
• Faster Design Iteration: Armed with specific knowledge, users can iterate on designs more effectively for FDM output.
• Increased Confidence: Users will feel more confident tackling complex designs for FDM printing.