Stock on facing

[dfox1787]

It's a 2.5D part and you've modelled it in 3D and are using the 3D model in CAM?
There's your extra work! :D

To generate the paths you need in CAM for true 3D parts you will at some point need additional geometry as well as your 3D part, this geometry can be as simple as a perimeter to limit a cutting path to exactly the area you want or as complex as extending a compound curved surface beyond the edge of your model to allow a smooth finishing tool path to transition off and back onto the part for an axis feed rather than stopping exactly at the edge and creating machining artifacts.

Similarly for 2.5D parts you rarely need much if any part modelling and can control your tool paths with very simple, easily constructed geometry, this is why there are still people out there who think CAD/CAM for a single simple part is slower than manual machining, most often it's not ;-)

Just draw all your geometry at Z zero and generate paths to your required depths for
1. Facing cut
2. Rectangular Pocket
3. Through Hole

The geometry for your facing cut will be larger than the part perimeter by just more than your cutter diameter
The geometry for your rectangular pocket will be larger in two directions by just more than 1/2 your cutter diameter
The geometry for your round pocket will be unchanged.

In my CAD/CAM that takes me around 8 minutes to draw and tool-path

Modelling simple 2.5D parts in 3D is not required unless -
You need the part for a complex 3D assembly in CAD,
You can't visualise the part without pretty pictures,
The customer wants pretty pictures,

are you saying to make a 2d model and create tool paths from that? i cant see how it can know the depths i need to face and pocket from a 2d model. I thought i could make my own model within the model and the machine it out in cam.

[magicniner]

are you saying to make a 2d model and create tool paths from that? i cant see how it can know the depths i need to face and pocket from a 2d model. I thought i could make my own model within the model and the machine it out in cam.

No, you don't need any models at all!
I'm saying that all you need is two rectangles and one circle drawn at Z = zero and use them to control tool paths.

i cant see how it can know the depths i need to face and pocket from a 2d model.

Autocad state that it is possible to 2d pocket from chained contours, that's lines to you and me, not solids, not 2d faces but lines.
One of the options for Bottom Height is Stock top: incremental offset from the Stock Top. so you set your depth as an offset from Z Zero, which is also top of stock, making things easy for yourself rather than trying to make it complicated then trying to make that work!

Here's a link to a relevant page on TFM, give it a read -
http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion...D-B28D938D146E

[dfox1787]

are you saying to make a 2d model and create tool paths from that? i cant see how it can know the depths i need to face and pocket from a 2d model. I thought i could make my own model within the model and the machine it out in cam.

sorry i dont understand why it cant be done the way im doing it and why its complicated. i've seen plenty of videos of people creating a model on fusion 360 and then using the cam to machine it. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-GBpUZ3piY&t=134s)

I know i can do the same operating in aspire where i can surface the stock first and then set the start cut depth. so if i remove .45mm from the stock i can start the cut -45mm but to me fusion seems to make the same operation more complex or not very easy to understand.

aspire is simple:



Fusion does appear to have better tooling operations so i am keen to understand it more and use it for future projects. i am still new to it but something as simple as removing some materiel and then start the cut from the depth i want seems impossible at the moment.

[magicniner]

Your work flow is illogical and doesn't work with the software you want to use.
You refuse to use a work flow which does work with the software you want to use.
You discount a quicker workflow which would achieve your requirements.
Good luck with that, you really crack me up :D
Roger & Out!

[Clive S]

Fusion does appear to have better tooling operations so i am keen to understand it more and use it for future projects. i am still new to it but something as simple as removing some materiel and then start the cut from the depth i want seems impossible at the moment.

This is one of the best places to learn Fusion360 https://www.youtube.com/user/cadcamstuff/playlists

[magicniner]

This is one of the best places to learn Fusion360 https://www.youtube.com/user/cadcamstuff/playlists

Got a link for people that don't like how it works, haven't read the manual or tutorials and expect it to be changed to suit them? :D

[m_c]

Nick, in Fusion360, you can create a model, then use 2D toolpaths on that model by picking chains.

The only real benefit over using just a 2D drawing, is it allows you to see how the toolpaths are in relation to the model, which is handy for highlighting any issues (usually operator caused!). Regardless of 2D/3D toolpaths, you still have to ensure heights are correct for each toolpath, and you've set the part zero at the correct place.

Industry standard is you set Z zero on the surface and work downwards, but in Fusion you can set part Z zero wherever you want and adjust heights accordingly. If you're unsure about the heights, you should be able to go to a side view, and when altering any of the depths, they should be shown on the model.
Not all the settings may make sense if you're unfamiliar with the settings though, as there are options to alter where the heights are relative to.

[magicniner]

Nick, in Fusion360, you can create a model, then use 2D toolpaths on that model by picking chains.

Once you've got the model there's little point, I was pointing out that simple outlines at Z zero would allow him to easily do what he was asking, unfortunately he wants the software modified to work with his ideas of how it should be! :D

Industry standard is you set Z zero on the surface and work downwards, but in Fusion you can set part Z zero wherever you want and adjust heights accordingly. .

Clarity is everything, Part Surface or Stock Surface?

In all decent modern CAM/CAM they can set Part Zero where they like, but unless they have good reason then by busking it before they can walk the inexperienced can end up on their butt by trying to run ;-)

Rules and conventions are there for those who don't know enough to do their own thing. Those who do know enough to do their own thing don't have to ask how to do it :D

EDIT - The OP hadn't even read the guide on the parameters and options on the paths he wanted to use? RTFM!

[Neale]

Once you've got the model there's little point, I was pointing out that simple outlines at Z zero would allow him to easily do what he was asking, unfortunately he wants the software modified to work with his ideas of how it should be! :D

That seems a little harsh. I don't think he was asking for software to be modified, and did accept that he might have missed a setting - not difficult with the plethora of settings in F360. In this case, I think it was as simple as not spotting that the top of cut was set referenced to stock top, not part top. I think he can be forgiven this as no-one else seemed to have spotted it either. At least F360 allows you to visualise the part, refer to contours, pockets, and other features by clicking on them, making them very visible, and then simulating the cut(s), and all without leaving the package. I've used a 2D drawing package (TurboCAD) and separate CAM application; I found it clumsy by comparison and more likely (for the beginner?) to make mistakes by making them visualise what they are doing rather than being able to double-check by seeing a 3D model on screen.

As for industry conventions - not easy unless you are actively working in the relevant industry and probably professionally trained into the bargain. As far as reference zeros, which way X and Y go, etc, I'm a firm believer that for an amateur working purely for themselves then only important convention is that you use a right-handed coordinate system with Z vertical. You can stick your zero where you like ! Seriously, doing a lot of woodwork on a router rather than mill, it makes a lot of sense sometimes to have the reference on the bed/spoilboard (less sensitivity to material height when doing full-depth profiling) and sometimes on the work surface when doing, say, engraving. I can't guarantee that the board material I buy will be sufficiently accurate from batch to batch that I could afford to assume consistency.

(Apologies to earlier posters - I managed to miss some early posts which did comment on using the correct reference plane for the second cut. However, an inexperienced F360 user seemed to need the specific parameter to be pointed out)