How to export multiple Mesh bodies as one STl with Fusion 360

 I stumbled across a problem with Fusion 360. I wanted to combine 2 parts into one, but I only had the STL files, not the step file. But you might also find this very handy if you just want to combine different STL files into one. They not even have to be connected to each other.

This is the hot-end mount from the Voron printer that is usually 2 parts. For some reason the version for the Triangle Labs Dragon Hotend was not in the CAD files the project provides and only available as STL.

Fusion 360 let you import STL files as mesh bodies, but you cannot export them together as one. That is only possible for solid bodies.

The problem was that those mesh objects have too many faces to be converted into solid bodies. There is a limit of around 20000 faces for the mesh to BRep conversion.

There is the option to reduce faces, but that also means you lose some details. So here is another way to do it.

So I started to import the 2 STL files in a new design in Fusion 360.

Then I had to align the mesh bodies exactly, so that all axis would fit, but not overlap.

I saved my work and waited to sync with the Autodesk cloud. The go to the autodesk cloud with a web browser -> https://myhub.autodesk360.com/ 

Navigate to the folder where you saved your project, then at the end of the filename there is a download icon. Navigate to the format you want. 

Then you get a message that the project is being converted for you.

Once your project has been converted you get an email with a download link.

So not only you got your STL files back as one, Autodesk did the conversion on their servers for you.

Now the 2 part become one and were ready to print.