Learning Targets
- Create sketches on existing planar faces.
- Use Extrude Cut for custom removed geometry.
- Use the Hole tool for engineered circular holes.
IED Unit 2 • Lesson 2.6
Cut Features and Holes — Bracket 3
Focus question: How can engineers precisely remove material from a CAD model to create functional features?
Your lesson guide
Objective
Create sketches on existing planar faces. Use Extrude Cut for custom removed geometry. Use the Hole tool for engineered circular holes.
Materials
For the online work: a browser and your engineering notebook. Follow the activity’s materials list for any physical build, and get teacher approval before using equipment.
Plan your time
Suggested work block: 45–60 minutes. Physical builds and projects may span several classes; follow your teacher’s schedule.
Lesson Overview
What You Are Learning
How to Approach the Work
Use the instructor demonstration to understand the tool or design decision, then complete the assigned work independently and verify the result before submission.
LearnModelVerifyReviseSubmit
Reference Resources
Bracket 3 Reference Model and Sketch
Use the 3D model to understand the geometry and the three drawing PDFs as your main references while building the part.
Loading model…
Drag to rotate • Scroll or pinch to zoom
Overall dimensions: 3.000 × 2.000 × 1.250 in
Display
Standard Views
Viewer Controls
Important: Use the interactive viewer to interpret shape, orientation, and feature location. Use the downloaded Bracket 3 drawing views as the main drawing references for your CAD model.
Recommended workflow: Keep the Bracket 3 drawing PDFs open while modeling. Use the 3D viewer when you need help interpreting the part geometry, and use the drawing views as your primary 2D references.
Assignment
Cut Features and Holes — Bracket 3
Continue the same Bracket 3 file from Lesson 2.5. This lesson focuses on removing material accurately using Extrude Cut and the Hole tool.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Open the existing Bracket 3 design: Do not start a new model. Use the same cloud design so the Timeline shows the progression from the original base feature.
- Plan each removed feature: Use the technical drawing to identify which features are custom cutouts and which are true circular holes.
- Create custom cut geometry: Sketch the required non-circular openings on the correct face. Fully constrain their position and size, then use Extrude with the Cut operation.
- Create engineered holes: Use the Hole tool for circular holes where appropriate. Set the location, diameter, and extent from the drawing rather than approximating the hole with an arbitrary sketch circle.
- Check cut extent: Verify whether each cut is Through All, To Object, or a specified depth. Make sure the result matches the documentation.
- Measure the finished features: Use Inspect/Measure to confirm hole diameters, center locations, spacing, and cut geometry.
Before You Submit
- Custom openings use appropriate cut features.
- Circular engineered holes use the Hole tool where directed.
- Feature locations and diameters match the drawing.
- The original base feature remains editable in the Timeline.
Submission
What You Will Submit
File requirements: Continue editing the same Bracket 3 cloud design. Create the submission snapshot with File → Export → Fusion 360 Archive Files (*.f3d).
LockwoodSTEM Tutorial
Lesson Video
LockwoodSTEM Tutorial — IED 2.6
Use this instructor-recorded tutorial to review the Fusion skills demonstrated for this lesson. Pause, rewind, and follow along in your own Fusion file as needed.
Resources
Lesson Resources
IED Unit 2
Return to the Unit 2 lesson list and course sequence.
Introduction to Engineering Design
Return to the IED course hub for units, resources, certifications, and current course information.
Build your lesson report
Checkpoint: is your evidence ready?
- Check calculations, units, labels, and measurements against the activity requirements.
- Record what actually happened, including unexpected results.
- Explain what you changed and why; attach required drawings, photos, CAD, or code in your classroom assignment.
Fusion archive snapshot: updated Bracket 3 model exported as LastName_FirstName_2_6_Bracket3.f3d. Isometric screenshot: completed cuts and holes with the Timeline visible. Save as LastName_FirstName_2_6_Bracket3.png. File requirements: Continue editing the same Bracket 3 cloud design. Create the submission snapshot with File → Export → Fusion 360 Archive Files (*.f3d).
A PDF download is not a submission. Review it, then upload it and any required attachments through your classroom assignment system.