3 ways to design a gasket for 3D printing

In this video I answer a question about how I go about designing gaskets for 3D printing. Using Fusion 360 as a core program I show 3 slightly different ways to CAD or draft the gasket and some basic TPU setting for your printer. If you have not seen the rest of this series check out the links to see my attempt to test the limits of printed TPU in semi-scientific tests and in the real world. This video concentrates on 3 different ways to design a gasket via taking a photograph and tracing, simple measurement and drafting, and converting it to an SVG file to make a sketch from the phot itself.
The first 3 videos of the series:
Can you print 3D gaskets? Should You? - • 3D printed gaskets? An...
Will 3D printied gaskets melt? - • Will 3D printed gasket...
Can you heat treat 3D printed gaskets? - • Annealing TPU to incre...
Video Chapter:
00:00 Intro - Answering a question
00:19 #1 - Just measure and draft in Fusion 360
05:15 Exporting and some of my slicer settings
06:03 #2 - Photograph/Scan it and trace in Fusion 360
11:34 #3 - Scan, convert to vector file, import SVG to sketch

[@EKUL34]

not sure if you mentioned it in the video and I missed it but another way to get the measurements is to scan it in a photocopier along with a ruler and then import that image directly into fusion and then scale the image using the ruler as reference

[@theeddies]

Good idea. Basically a variation of what I called the photograph method without having to even take one measurement. Thanks!

[@spehropefhany]

Useful video +1. For your third method I suggest measuring the largest overall dimension rather than a hole to get the overall scaling. A small error in measuring the 7.5mm hole (eg. +/-0.2mm) will result in a +/-4mm error in your 150mm wide gasket.

[@theeddies]

Great suggestion!

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

I have not seen those in years , Triumph rocker box gaskets . Brings back some memories 👍

[@theeddies]

I wondered who would be the first to ID it. It is kind of an unique shape. Thanks Max!

[@Noxoreos]

To calibrate the canvas it is best to take a measurement that is as big as possible. That way it is easier to make it precise, because on bigger numbers small inaccuracies don't matter as much. For small measurements the margin of error is bigger. Or simply put: One millimeter error matters more on a 10mm dimension than on 100mm.

[@theeddies]

Good idea!

[@r4z0r84]

You can use Inkscape to trace bitmap to skip a lot of steps from the scan to the svg, great to know I can use svg directly to fusion, there's a teacher who will be mind blown that he can do all his design in illustrator as it's his preferred editing program haha, learnt heaps from this video thanks a lot!

[@r4z0r84]

Forgot to mention after tracing the bitmap in Inkscape you select simplify to do the smoothing

[@theeddies]

Thanks! I have never used Inkscape, I will have to give it a try. Fusion will import DXF and DWG vectors as well. Thanks for watching!

[@r4z0r84]

@@theeddies Inkscape is basically a free type of Adobe illustrator, similar to like gimp is the free version of Photoshop. I mostly only use it for tracing bitmaps though as it seems to do a better job than illustrator for it. Now I've just gotta try and get my 3d printer to print tpu haha others have done it so I'm sure it's possible but it's not supported out of the box. I don't need gaskets but being able to just make them for old cars that you can't buy them for is amazing.

[@theeddies]

@@r4z0r84 Def going to try inkscape. If you have a Bowden setup stick with the 95A TPU's and you should have little problem. Lots of good tips and tricks on KZbin for doing it. I am going to try it on my printer with the Bowden soon with some settings that @Lost In Tech uses.

[@mmocken]

@r4z0r84 You are right! Trace bitmap is best and quickest way ....also Inkscape will export to .dxf file directly as SPLines...which can be used for profile as-is.... so no need to redraw ACR/Lines. Just select profile and extrude

[@bimmers50e30]

I just learned a bunch of new things about fusion 360! Thanks man. !!!

[@theeddies]

Then it was worth making :-) Thanks!

[@motorradturtleadventures6597]

Excellent! Thanks for taking the time to put this together!

[@edaciousx]

amazing video, thank you!

[@theeddies]

Thank you!

[@sidneyking11]

I do appreciate you taking the time to make this video. I thought it was interesting using a copier to create the image. I also seen the issue of getting the fussy lines around the image and not knowing how to resolve. You have hit on a great topic to make 3D printers practical by making gaskets. I would love to see make more videos on this topic. Best regards

[@theeddies]

Thanks Sidney!

[@richardgriswold5692]

Thanks, good info. I am no expert in Cadd, one thing I consider is whether the part is symmetrical. If so, draw around the axis and then mirror it. Seems to save doing some operations twice. Maybe not always better just different.

[@theeddies]

Thanks. Good advice!

[@gytucci]

You can use mirror function, thats very useful in Cad programs

[@theeddies]

Thanks!

[@BDAallday]

Good content! Keep it up, just subscribed and liked the vid.

[@theeddies]

Thanks!

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Eddie, A really interesting video, thank you... I have a around 10 more days of disruption going on and then I want to crack on and learn the basics of F360. Take care. Paul,,

[@partsdave8943]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. I like practical 3D prints. I’m sooo past trinkets and figurines. I’ve had my printers for over 4 years. And played around with F360 for about 5 years. I am not an expert by any means. My 2 cents….. On Method 1: using the Mirror tool might solve the multi tangent issue. Equal constraint for the holes is another option. Method 2: Equal constraint for the holes would be an easier way to keep them parametric. Also the Mirror tool would also be another option to create this, using construction lines. Only one corner would have to be drawn. From there mirror X, and then all of that, mirror Y (or vice versa). Method 3: Inkscape is Free software that will create SVG vectors from photos. Using the Trace Bitmap function it will copy photos much like the method you have shown. I’ve used it with success.

[@theeddies]

Thanks! All good ideas. I will play around with them. Best!

[@bobweiram6321]

Use the tangent constraint from the palette. Also, use construction lines so you ensure your drawing is centered.

[@theeddies]

Thanks!

[@cbbbbbbbbbbbb]

Your first method is how I've been doing it. I have a Japanese import car and can't get the gaskets without a ridiculous fee / shipping time. I do have a 3d printer and plan to print some once I stock up on TPU thanks to your awesome videos, but I've just been making paper templates to cut out for now. I do also scan my drawings with all measurements and what's left of the gasket, so I have references in the future. So, a mix of method 1 and 3.

[@theeddies]

Thanks for sharing

[@wktodd]

Great stuff Eddie 8-)

[@theeddies]

Thanks Bill!

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday Eddie, great informative video, I do have Fusion360 hobby version and find it ok once you eventually get your head around a few things, I’ve been doing DCT’s tutorials wish has been a grea help, top job mate, Cheers

[@theeddies]

Agree Matty, Aaron's tutorials are some of the best out there. Must be that smooth Aussie accent :-) I am a bit backed up in my video watching but did catch your last one. Don't think I commented yet but I will. All the best!

[@johnstrange6799]

That was cool.

[@theeddies]

Did you like the Shure sound on the overdubs? I need to play around with the levels more, it was a little bassy.

[@johnstrange6799]

@@theeddies Yeah, it was good, and the room was good too. Yes exactly! (You need to boost the mid and highs)

[@theeddies]

@@johnstrange6799 I love that mic. Straight through the preamp/mixer, no post process, sitting on my couch and it was close.

[@BorisH2000UK]

When taking measurements of your original objects, you want to take the largest measurement possible, for example the longest side of the rectangle, not an 8mm hole. This is to minimise the scaling error

[@3sotErik]

@3:10 use the offset tool next to the scissors, select all 3 circles & enter the thickness.

[@theeddies]

Nice one. That's handy. Thanks!

[@BOTmaster15]

4th way Just use simple 2D scanner. You can also scribe scale on the old gasket itself to make it more simple. Scan the thing, import it like the photo, scale, presto. Then you just have to trace the lines. BTW making model image 50% visible helps to check if everything fits

[@MrTimcakes]

To have a line be tangent to both circles, click to press on the first circle before where the tangent line would roughly start, hold and drag to the next circle (at the tangent point, the symbol appears) then your line should be tangent to both.

[@theeddies]

Cool, I will try that. Thanks! I knew there must be a way of hitting the right places but had not made it happen yet.

[@AaronEngineering]

G’day Eddie. Good work mate 👍

[@theeddies]

Thanks Aaron! A white screen is hard to video edit, I don't think I want to make another any time soon, lol. I actually sent a few people to your video on the other channel that was a flat object with holes but finally decided I would just do one with the 3 methods.

[@AaronEngineering]

@@theeddies all good buddy. I use my Mac and screen capture with QuickTime

[@theeddies]

@@AaronEngineering I did not have any problems with the screen capture except my mic did not want to work with it so I ended up over dubbing the whole thing. Kind of a pain. The audio synced with the video would have been very helpful in the edit. I will do it differently next time, if there is one. So did you have a trick to draw a line from a circle to a circle that is tangent to both without having to go back and make one side tangent?

[@jacobisbell6466]

You should use a mirror line halves some of the work

[@theeddies]

Thanks!

[@luke_fabis]

If you have Illustrator, you can do a live trace of a raster image and get vector graphics right out the gate.

[@theeddies]

That's a great idea as well. I don't have Illustrator unfortunately. I really don't like that they went to subscription based service. I bought Photoshop and Premiere Elements a few years ago and they are still good enough for my uses and were a one time fee. There are probably other Illustrator like programs that could do the same thing though or I guess I could look for an older version before the change, I should look into that. Thanks!

[@JoEx2k11]

As a suggestion, when you take the picture do it as far as you can to minimize distortion!

[@theeddies]

Excellent suggestion, thanks!

[@chadr00]

Are you printing in TPU? How does that hold up to the heat with the Briggs OHV gasket? Thanks

[@theeddies]

Check out my new video that I just posted, it will answer your questions.

[@alexcole9890]

Good tip for ya with exporting f3d files. Export using .3mf files instead of .stl They export almost instantly, at least 100x faster than .stl exports. Cura and other big slicers will take it without issue And I believe .3mf are much easier to edit later on in case you lost the fusion file. idk someone feel free to chime in on that. If you've ever tried to edit an stl, I'm sorry

[@theeddies]

Thanks. I actually hate using 3mf files for one simple dumb reason. Cura saves projects in that file format. So if I save models in that file, when I look thru my files, I am never sure whether it is a project or just a model without opening it. This is just a personally annoying thing and is nothing against 3mf files. Another person mentioned a different way to save STL's in Fusion. Right clicking on the body or bodies that you want to convert and then selecting "save as mesh", this actually instantly saves an .STL. Editing mesh is pretty much the same no matter what the format in my experience. I have edited STL, 3Mf, and OBJ files with Blender, Meshmixer and Fusion (Meshmixer is made by Autodesk as well and is basically the same as the Fusion tools, just standalone) and it works but the learning curve is pretty steep. I have had good results but it is annoying for a novice like myself. Best!

[@jbizzbuildsmanstuff9932]

Doing tangent I just draw half the part from origon then mirror it if it's symmetrical

[@theeddies]

Yes, I have actually been trying that more and more after a few suggestions. Once you get used to thinking about it that way it works nicely. Thanks!

[@machinenutdel6764]

Hi Ed, hows the gaskets holding up ?

[@theeddies]

So far so good.

[@hithere2561]

I really like how you explain things. I am a person who had to start using Fusion because I was dumb enough to buy myself a 3D printer. Now, 3 years later, I cant imagine my life without it :) In Fusion its easier to select the body and "Save as mesh". Export feature is sometimes sloooowwwww. "Fusion 360 school" channel have really nice tutorials kzbin.infovideos Lars Christensen have beginner tutorials that I did watch couple of years ago ant that really helped me to get stated with Fusion.

[@theeddies]

Awesome, thanks! It never dawned on me that the export speed could be improved, it is awful slow on some files. I figured that was just the way it is. Thanks for the channel recommendation, I actually just subbed to them recently. I have not gone through the various videos yet but I will. And yes it is weird, I actually only got into 3D printing late last year, I resisted for a long while but now I don't know how I ever lived without it. Appreciate the comments..

[@psgflier]

@@theeddies I put Lars on split screen when I was designing on 360, been a couple of years now so forgot everything I learned. If your project is symmetrical there is a way to draw half and mirror it.

[@edwardchristie3934]

Why the smooth voice?

[@theeddies]

Late at night and a good microphone. :-)