Fusion 360: Lamp Shade with Base

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will create a stylish lamp shade with a base using Fusion 360. This project not only introduces advanced geometry techniques but also incorporates LED strip lighting. By the end, you will have a practical understanding of sketching, lofting, and preparing for 3D printing.

Step 1: Setting Up the Base Sketch

1. Create a New Sketch

   • Start on the base plane.
   • Use construction circles for your design.

2. Define Circles

   • Draw two concentric circles:
     • Inner circle with a diameter of 170 mm.
     • Outer circle with a diameter of 200 mm.
   • Ensure both circles are fully constrained to the origin.

3. Add Construction Lines

   • Draw straight lines from the center to the outer circle.
   • Use the tab key to adjust angles, aiming for 10° increments.

4. Sketch Additional Circles

   • Create a series of circles to form a wavy pattern with 5° increments.
   • Use the trim tool to remove unnecessary parts.

5. Create a Circular Pattern

   • Select the lines and use the circular pattern tool to repeat your design around the center.

Step 2: Designing the Lamp Shade

1. Create a New Plane

   • Set a new construction plane about 200 mm above your base for the lampshade.

2. Copy the Base Sketch

   • While the sketch is active, select all entities, copy (Ctrl+C), finish the sketch, and paste (Ctrl+V) onto the new plane.

3. Scale the Sketch

   • Use the modify tool to scale the sketch to 60% of its original size.

4. Loft the Lampshade

   • Switch to surface mode.
   • Create a loft between the two sketches to form a thin lampshade.

5. Thicken the Surface

   • Select the lofted body and switch back to solid mode to create a thickness of 0.4 mm.

6. Assign Material

   • Create a new component for the lampshade and assign a plastic material for printing.

Step 3: Creating the Lamp Base

1. Sketch the Base Profile

   • Create a new sketch 75 mm below the lampshade and draw circles for the base profile.

2. Define the Base Shape

   • Loft between the profiles to create a bulbous shape that connects to the lampshade.

3. Combine Components

   • Use the combine tool to merge the lamp shade and base components, ensuring they fit together.

4. Add a Central Hole

   • Sketch a hole in the base for the LED strip to pass through and extrude to create the opening.

Step 4: Creating Mounting Features for LEDs

1. Cut Out for LED Strip

   • Sketch on the side of the lampshade to create a cutout for the LED strip.
   • Use a revolve tool to create a smooth transition.

2. Add Decorative Patterns

   • Use the circular pattern tool to create cutouts for additional light diffusion.

Step 5: Final Touches

1. Check Dimensions and Adjust

   • Ensure all dimensions are correct and adjust any features that may cause overhangs during printing.

2. Prepare for 3D Printing

   • Double-check the design for any issues that might affect the printability.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you successfully created a lamp shade and base in Fusion 360, incorporating advanced geometry and LED lighting. You can further customize the design by tweaking dimensions and features. For next steps, consider exploring rendering options or experimenting with different materials for your lamp. Happy designing!