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Anonymous
291 Views, 1 Reply

New to Fusion 360 CAM, and I have some questions...

Preface: My experience level with a Fusion is still novice, and for the most part, my use has centered on the design elements of the software rather than CAM. Lately, I have begun dabbling in Fusion again and looking at things like the CAM functions and design tools as it would relate to my line of work, a field that is really best served by AutoCAD more than anything else.

I have been doing some experimentation with Fusion’s CAM functions, trying to determine its compatability with the CNC Router my Shop has. So far I have been successful with regards to setting up the paths, stock, and tool parameters, as well as post processing and generating G-Code. Our machine has a Fanuc controller albeit and older model, and using the Fanuc incremental post processor with G91 has been successful, save for one thing: if I try to run the file as it is generated by Fusion and the post processor, the furthest I can get is for the tool changer to insert the tool, which it does correctly, and then nothing else, no spindle start or movement.

After doing some research, I found that some machines won’t start when they see the M03 clockwise spindle start code, and instead use M13, which is usually reserved to machines that have built-in coolant systems, thus starting both the coolant system and the spindle together. Looking at G-Code generated by our other CAM software, I found that our machine is looking for this code instead of M03, despite not having a built-in coolant system, however I surmise that it uses the parameter instead to open the dust collector hose gate when the spindle starts.

Here’s where I need help: knowing that generating the G-code with the tool configured with coolant disabled results in a start code of M03, however going into the Code and manually changing the code to M13, does in fact allow the machine to start and run successfully. Going back into Fusion and configuring the tool to have coolant parameters (Flood mode seems to be the only mode the post processor will accept) also results in code generation with a M03 start, and this time, when manually changed to M13, the spindle will start and the dust collector hose gate opens, but nothing else will happen.

What I am wondering is: how can I configure Fusion or the post processor to generate the correct start code for our machine?

Additionally, is there a configuration parameter that I missed somewhere where I can determine an end position for the machine following the cutting processes? As it is currently, when the G-Code file finishes its instructions, it returns all axes back to zero, but does not stop the spindle, or close the hose gate unless I manually intervene. I would like to configure the g-code parameters to return to a home position, in this case X 0.0, Y 120.0, Z 0.0 (this position clear the active area of the vacuum table allowing material loading access) following execution of the file and to stop the spindle without manually editing the code, or intervening manually through MDI at the machine’s control panel.

Other than those mild annoyances, I really like the CAM generator in Fusion more than any other CAM software that I’ve used. My test file ran perfectly, and thankfully did not cut into or through the spoil board on the machine, an unfortunate result of other misconfiguration, and experimentation in the past. The biggest challenge in the setup of the CAM paths I found to be setting the WCS into the proper orientation, though this is due to my lack of practice with Fusion as a whole.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can throw my way. I am beginning to like Fusion, and may consider paying for a personal copy to use for specific types of projects where AutoCAD has proven unsatisfactory in the past.
LibertyMachine
in reply to: Anonymous

These would be post processor edits. Nothing that can't be done easily enough. Are those the only two modifications, the M13 and the home positions?

What code is used to turn OFF the hose gates?

 

-EDIT- And why the incremental post processor, if I may ask? Did the standard Fanuc NOT work?


Seth Madore
Owner, Liberty Machine, Inc.
Good. Fast. Cheap. Pick two.