To taper an edge in Fusion 360, the most common and direct method is using the Draft tool, which allows you to angle specific faces relative to a chosen fixed edge. You can also achieve a taper when creating new geometry using the Extrude command.
Tapering an Existing Edge Using the Draft Tool
The Draft tool is ideal for adding a taper (or draft angle) to existing faces, often required for molding or casting processes, or simply for aesthetic design. It allows you to define a fixed edge around which selected faces will rotate, creating the taper.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Draft Tool
-
Access the Draft Tool:
- Navigate to the
Modify
menu in the Design workspace. - Select
Draft
. The Draft dialog box will appear.
- Navigate to the
-
Choose Draft Type:
- In the Draft dialog, select
Fixed Edge
from theType
options. This ensures that a chosen edge remains stationary while adjacent faces are tapered.
- In the Draft dialog, select
-
Define the Fixed Edge (Taper Baseline):
- For the
Fixed Edge
selection, select the edge of an object that will serve as the taper centerline or the slope baseline. This edge acts as the fixed pivot or baseline for your taper, and the faces adjacent to it will rotate around it.
- For the
-
Select Faces to Taper:
- For
Faces
, select the taper or slope object – meaning, select the face or faces you wish to apply the taper to. These are the surfaces that will be angled relative to the fixed edge.
- For
-
Specify Draft Angle:
- Enter a numerical value for the
Draft Angle
.- A positive angle will typically taper outwards (increasing material).
- A negative angle will taper inwards (decreasing material).
- Observe the real-time preview to ensure the taper direction and angle are as desired.
- Enter a numerical value for the
-
Refine the Taper Start Point (Optional):
- For precise control over where the taper begins along your fixed edge, select the location of the start point.
- Note: Specifying a start point within the extents of the selected edge allows you to create a leader extending straight from that edge. This ensures the taper originates exactly where intended along your chosen fixed edge, rather than across its entire length.
-
Confirm the Operation:
- Click
OK
to apply the taper.
- Click
Draft Tool Parameters
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Type | Defines how the draft is applied (Fixed Edge , Fixed Plane , Tangent to Plane ). For tapering an edge, Fixed Edge is most relevant. |
Fixed Edge | The selected edge around which the adjacent faces will rotate to create the taper. This edge remains stationary. |
Faces | The face(s) that will be drafted. These surfaces will be angled relative to the fixed edge. |
Draft Angle | The angle by which the selected faces will be tapered. Can be positive or negative. |
Direction | Determines the direction of the draft relative to the fixed edge (can often be inferred or adjusted via angle sign). |
Start Point | Allows defining a specific point along the fixed edge where the taper effectively begins, offering precise control over the taper's extent. |
For more detailed information on the Draft tool, you can refer to the Autodesk Fusion 360 Help documentation.
Tapering New Geometry Using the Extrude Tool
When creating new solid geometry from a 2D sketch, you can apply a taper angle directly during the extrusion process. This is useful for designs where the entire extruded feature needs to be tapered from its base.
Step-by-Step Guide to Extrude with Taper
-
Create a Sketch:
- On a chosen plane, create a 2D sketch of the profile you wish to extrude.
-
Access the Extrude Tool:
- Go to
Create
>Extrude
.
- Go to
-
Select Profile:
- Select the closed sketch profile(s) you want to extrude.
-
Set Extrusion Distance:
- Specify the
Distance
orExtent
for the extrusion.
- Specify the
-
Apply Taper Angle:
- In the Extrude dialog box, locate the
Taper Angle
option. - Enter a positive or negative angle.
- A positive angle will cause the extrusion to get wider as it extends.
- A negative angle will cause the extrusion to get narrower (taper inwards).
- In the Extrude dialog box, locate the
-
Confirm Operation:
- Click
OK
to create the tapered extruded body.
- Click
Practical Insights
- Draft Analysis: Before finalizing your taper, especially for manufacturing, use the
Inspect
>Draft Analysis
tool to verify that your drafted faces meet the required angles (e.g., for mold release). - Split Face: If you need to taper only a portion of a face, first use the
Split Face
command with a sketch to divide the face, then apply the Draft tool to the newly created sub-face. - Design Intent: Consider whether the taper needs to be driven by parameters for future modifications, or if a fixed angle is sufficient.
By utilizing either the Draft tool for existing geometry or the Extrude tool for new features, you can effectively taper edges and faces in Fusion 360, achieving precise control over your designs.