3d Printed Surf Fins

After countless hours of CAD modeled and model slicing, I have finally printed a full thrusted set of surf fins. They are fully compatible with Futures fin boxes and ar fully functional while surfing.

PLA filament

Mesure real fin dimensions:

1. Use a multimeter to find the length, height and width of a real Futures brand fin base
2. Remember that center fins have different base dimensions than the side fins so get measurements for both

Find example images on internet for both center and side fins:

1. Choose a certain fin you want to base your fins off
2. Make sure the image is crisp and clean with no shading for better end results

Create and trace a bitmap of fin images:

1. Upload the two different types of fins you found online to Inkscape
2. Double click on the image and select trace bitmap
3. Turn off fill and set the line width to hairline
4. Save bitmap to computer as DXF.

Turn bitmaps into a sketches on Fusion 360:

1. Upload the DXFs to Fusion and turn them into sketches
2. For the best end results, trace the curved part of the fin lines with the splice tool and delete the old lines so the curves are split into less segments

Scale sketches to real size:

1. Use the Scale sketch feature to match the fin base length dimension to the length dimension you measured earlier
2. Double check that the image you used from the internet was to scale by measuring the fin base height in Fusion

Extrude sketches:

1. Extrude the sketches to the width you measured earlier on the real fins

Extrude cut fin angle and taper for each fin:

1. Go to the front view and create a new sketch
2. Make the sketch have an angle on one side for the side fins and be symmetrical for the center fin
3. Extrude cut the sketches past the entire length of the fin and make sure it's high enough to not cut through the base

Revolve cut fin foil profile for each fin

1. Go to the top view and create a sketch
2. Make the sketches have an concave curve on one side for the side fins and be symmetrical for the center fin
3. Move the sketches on the Z-axis until they are right above the fin base where the curved part of the fin starts
4. Revolve cut the sketches past the fins

Fillet the fins edges

1. Use the fillet tool to smooth up the fin's edges for best results

Slice the CAD model for the fins

1. Set to the finest detail/speed and 100% infill
2. For stronger fins, set up the print so the grain will run perpendicular to the way the fins will be flexing, not parallel

Print!

1. Print the fins and go surfing!!!