Carrying Stock between Setups

[rudisoft]

As shown in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9toDzfXcGo8

This is an extremely clumsy process. It is almost absolutely necessary when you want to flip parts:

1. design the body or component
2. set up a CAM setup with its machining operation for the top side of the design
3. set up a CAM setup with its machining operation for the bottom side of the design

I want to be able to use the result of operation 2 to use it as stock for the operation 3. Changes on the design or the CAM operations of operation 2 would have to automatically be reflected in the stock for operation 3.

Can you make that happen?

[Anonymous]

I already suggested they make a macro in the fusion script to simulate, save stl, re-import and use as stock model. The functionality is clearly already there, just requires many steps. The fusion team is not interested in doing this apparently. We have to simulate, save, import, select ourselves. Very frustrating, I know...

[rudisoft]

@Anonymous: I know where you're coming from. However, since I have a little software development background, I believe the fusion team considers macros are just not the best way to implement this functionality.  That's all. There's no need to consider a CAM setup result as an STL. STLs are just an intermediate (and not very accurate) model of storing 3D data. The'll most likely have an easy way of getting the result body of the CAM operation and making it available to a following setup as a stock solid.

[Anonymous]

@rudisoft Yes, if they have rest machining then the program must know what stock is left, I do hope that you are right and fusion implements a better way to utilize stock models. I agree stl are not the most accurate, however for a stock model they are plenty good (as long as your not using "stock point" as your zero in programming.

I know powermill uses stl triangles as stock models also, I think mastercam also. Stl mesh is the standard for stock models from my experience. Its nice to be able to save and export stock models and share with other programmers running different softwares, working on the same parts. 

[Anonymous]

I agree. What % of machining would this be beneficial to? 95? 99?

[rudisoft]

This feature request is similar: Use stock from previous operation in new setup

[mxwrench]

I have commented on quite a few versions of this same request.  Sadly, this issue has gained very little traction with the Autodesk developers.  Guys, we really really need this functionality!  Heck, I have even considered going back to my... cough, cough,... Bobcad v28 as it has this feature embedded and it actually works.  I just really don't want to deal with all the annoying sales calls!

Please, please, please, add previous operation stock functionality!

Thanks.

p.s. I've been using the cumbersome and annoying simulation .STL stock, so, no need to rehash.  Not close to what I would expect from a team like Autodesk.  They could do so much better!

[Anonymous]

Even with the 'save stock' capability, it seems like you can only direct to the saved stock file via 'Rest machining'. Otherwise - not that it already is -, the process to recall the stock becomes even MORE tedious by needing to open as STL and take more steps to redirect to the model. As much as the whole purpose of EXISTENCE of CAM functionality is to visualize the process, I really hope this feature gets added soon..!

[Anonymous]

This feature STILL has not been added. 

[M&GToolWorks]

An update would be great on this... 

[Anonymous]

I really wish Autodesk team would work on this.  Its getting really annoying trying to teach my students this weird process for something that should be super simple.  

[Anonymous]

Autodesk please implement this...

[jimskeet2002]

The best workaround I have found so far is not the one suggested on this thread.

After simulate and save stock as stl, create your next setup using same stock as the previous setup. Then on the next operation you want to do activate rest machining and choose "from file" option and there type the location of the stl file. I usually save the stl file as stock.stl in the root of D:\ hard disk and just type in the "from file" tab D:\stock.stl.

Then the operation takes into consideration the material that has already been machined and creates toolpath only for the stock that is left.

The only issue is when you want to change something on the previous setup. You have to simulate and save stock as stl again. Then you just regenerate the operation that has rest machining enabled and it updates since you have changed the stock.stl file on the location it was before.

[rudisoft]

Isn't it about time this becomes part of the roadmap?

[M&GToolWorks]

I have tried the method that jimskeet2002 states, however, it has never worked. 

At this point I make a solid model of my stock as needed. 

rudisoft, I think that roadmap got left at a rest area a few states ago...