Setting Up Realistic Brake Movement and Handlebar Rotation in Fusion

Configuring Revolute Joints and Motion Limits for the Scooter Brake

Gain a better understanding of how to define additional relationships with modeled components of a scooter. This article provides detailed instructions on how to manipulate the brake and handlebars of a scooter model and the tools to use for a more realistic representation in a digital environment.

Key Insights

  • The article focuses on defining movements of the scooter components, for instance, the motion of the brake when stepped on or how the handlebars turn.
  • It provides a step-by-step guide on how to position the scooter and manipulate the brake component using the joint command, selecting the right origin mode, and finding the snap point.
  • The article also illustrates how to adjust the brake's movement toward the wheel by limiting its motion and preventing it from crushing through the wheel using the degrees of a circle.

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Now that we've modeled all of the components of our scooter, we can define additional relationships. For example, how does this brake move when we step on it? Or how do the handlebars move when we turn the scooter? So let's start by orienting our scooter. We're going to orbit around and let's pretend that we're standing on the scooter and we're headed forward.

We're holding on to the handlebars. And so from this orientation, we will say right side is the right and left side is the left. Now let's zoom into our scooter and look at the brake.

There's the brake. I will highlight it here. It's this component that we step on to slow the scooter down.

Let's go ahead and do a couple other housekeeping things. Number one, click on nothing. So nothing selected.

And at the top of our browser, we want to click activate component. With all of that set up, we can go to the assemble area and select the joint command. This brings up the joint menu and the component one asks for an origin mode.

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We want to swap that over to between two faces. Now we want to click first the right side of the brake. Again, assuming we're standing on the scooter, rolling it forward, click the right side first, and then we will click the left side.

So that selects the two planes. Now we need a snap point and it's a little hard to see the snap point. So for the moment, I'm going to go ahead and hide the deck component right here in the browser.

Now we can zoom in and find that snap point, which is that center hole at the very bottom of the brakes. We'll click that one time. Now if everything is set up correctly, we want that green axis pointing up towards the sky.

If it's not, you can clear out the selections and select them again. Select plane one on the right, plane two on the left or opposite of what you did before. Click that snap point and we're looking for that green axis pointing up.

Now we want to work on component two. Component two will set the origin mode to the same between two faces and we're going to use component two as our deck, so we need to unhide it. So there's the deck and I'm going to focus on the rail portion, which is down below.

I want to click once on the right side again. Orbit around and click on the left side. With those two sides selected, I want to zoom into this brake hole and select my snap point, which is right there at that brake hole.

You can see it's going to move it over there, but I'll click one time and there it is. If you go to the motion tab now, it might be set to rigid, which just shakes it if that's a default, or it might already be set to revolute, which will spin it around. If it's not already at revolute, go ahead and swap it to revolute.

You can keep the z-axis as a rotation, that's perfect, and click the play button to preview motion. You want that brake to swing towards the wheel every time, but do you notice what's wrong with this picture? The brake is crushing right through the wheel and we want to limit its motion so it can't do that. Let's go ahead and go to our view cube in the top right and click the front view.

We're looking directly at the front, so there we are. If we zoom in, we'll notice that this little orbit wheel has some degrees. Every time it's moving, it's moving in a circular motion and it is showing us the degrees of the circle, so we can limit that.

Let's go ahead and stop our preview motion and set our minimum. Our minimum is zero degrees, that's where it already is, and it's fine as a starting point. Then the maximum, let's go ahead and try two degrees, and go ahead and click the play button next to preview limits.

It's pretty subtle, but it will show that animation. The truth is if you zoom in all the way, it doesn't quite touch the wheel, so you might try going to 2.5 degrees and hit play to preview. With that, it's going to go all the way down and touch the wheel.

Isn't that cool? Now that brake can move about that point. Go ahead and click okay. Go over to the relationships folder and open up the joints and we have now Revolute Wheel 1, Revolute Wheel 2, and Revolute Wheel 3. I'm sorry, it just says Revolute 3. Let's call it Revolute Brake and click enter.

With that, go ahead and click that save button.

photo of Reid Johnson

Reid Johnson

Licensed Architect | Contractor | CAD/BIM Specialist

Reid isn't just someone who knows CAD and BIM; he's a licensed architect and contractor who deeply integrates these technologies into every facet of his career. His hands-on experience as a practitioner building real-world projects provides him with an invaluable understanding of how BIM and CAD streamline workflows and enhance design. This practical foundation led him to Autodesk, where he shared his expertise, helping others effectively leverage these powerful tools. Throughout his professional journey, Reid also dedicates himself to education, consistently teaching university courses and shaping the next generation of design professionals by equipping them with essential CAD skills. His unique blend of practical experience, industry knowledge gained at Autodesk, and passion for teaching positions Reid as a true specialist in BIM and CAD technology, capable of bridging the gap between theory and real-world application.

Credentials:

  • Autodesk Fusion Certified User
  • Autodesk Revit Certified Professional
  • Autodesk Certified Instructor
  • Licensed Architect
  • Licensed General Contractor

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