Joint types

Learn about joint types in Fusion.

You can use both the Joint and As-Built Joint tools to create 7 joint types in Fusion. Each joint type uses different degrees of freedom to define motion. You can also add Motion Limits, use Contact Sets, Rigid Groups, and other component relationships in combination with joints to create more realistic movement in your design.

Rigid

The Rigid joint type locks components together and removes all degrees of freedom. Motion allowed: none Rotate: Define the axis around which the component will rotate. Common Uses: Welding components together. Bolting multiple components together in multiple locations so that no motion will be allowed.

Revolute

The Revolute joint type lets a component rotate around the Joint Origin, with no additional translation. Motion allowed: 1 rotation Rotate: Define the axis around which the component will rotate. Common Uses: Working with linkages. Rotating bolted components around a single point.

Slider

The Slider joint type moves a component along a single axis, with no additional rotation. Motion allowed: 1 translation Slide: Select the axis that the component will move along. Common Uses: Moving a component back and forth down a track Moving a component up and down a rod without rotation

Cylindrical

The Cylindrical joint type lets a component rotate around and move along a single axis. Motion allowed: 1 translation and 1 rotation Axis: Define the axis that the component will move along and rotate around. Common Uses: Threading a component through a hole Showing the movement of a rod

Pin-Slot

The Pin-Slot joint type lets a component rotate around one axis and move along a different axis. Motion allowed: 1 translation and 1 rotation Rotate: Define the axis that the component will move along. Slide: Define the axis that the component will rotate around. Common Uses: Showing rotation and movement of a component within a pin-slot Note: You cannot select the same axis for both Rotate and Slide. After you select the Rotate axis, the axis you selected is removed from the Slide axis list (and vice versa).

Planar

The Planar joint type lets a component move along two axes and rotate around a single axis. Motion allowed: 1 translation and 1 rotation Normal: Define the axis that the component will rotate around. Slide: Define the axis for planar movement. Common Uses: Connecting two components along the same plane, without limiting additional degrees of freedom Moving a box on top of a table Keep the bottom face of the box touching the top face of the table Move the box along the table top and rotate it about the normal of the table top Note: After you select the Normal axis, the Slide axis is automatically determined.

Ball

The Ball joint type lets a component rotate around all 3 axes using a gimbal system (3 nested rotations), with no translations. Motion allowed: 1 translation and 1 rotation Pitch: Define the lateral axis that the component will rotate around. Yaw: Define the perpendicular axis that the component will rotate around. Roll: The longitudinal axis for Roll is determined automatically once Pitch and Yaw are defined. Common Uses: Connecting two components along the same plane, without limiting additional degrees of freedom Requiring full rotational freedom, but the rotate point should never move

Axis definition

• X Axis, Y Axis, and Z Axis let you choose a predefined axis crossing the Joint Origin.
• Custom Axis lets you choose an axis away from the Joint Origin.