Nesting

[jdawg]

I have multiple CNC machines and would love to see nesting. I currently use Alpha Cam, Router Cim, Xilog, and Holzher Hops to program all my different machines. I think Fusion is ripe for being able to tap into this sector of machining. The ability to share, and posts and all the other features have me chomping at the bit. I have made programs with it on one of my routers, but it would be great to create one nest, and be able to tool it and post depending on what machine I want to send it to. Huge time saver, since the actual nesting takes the most time finding the perfect nest, and its also frustrating not having the machine control in some cam packages (HOPS) to be able to do fancy machining

[Anonymous]

Jeff, thanks for gathering feedback...

1) How would you expect to use it? Would this be for simple "one-off" situations where you just want to lay out a set of parts on a single sheet, and then use the CAM workspace to generate cutting toolpaths?

I'd want to do a lot of "one-off" aka "custom" nests. A lot of our work is custom, and so the ability to hit a button and nest the parts in an assembly would be a huge huge time/material saver. And then, if necessary, make modifications to the design, and re-nest. And then just re-nest to see if we can get better material yield. And then change some grain direction (wood sheet good products) and re-nest. This is really similar to what a production level cabinet software will do.

2) What's your level of need for multi-sheet nesting?

High. Batching all of the assemblies in a job (cabinets, furniture pieces, frame parts, etc) rarely looks like a single sheet at a time. It's often too difficult for a human to conceptualize how the parts can most efficiently be nested on multiple sheets. Too many times, a designer takes part 1 and lays it on the sheet, then takes part 2 and puts it right next to part 1, and so on.

3) For those of you familiar with it, if we did something along the lines of what the Nesting Utility in Inventor does, would that work for you?

Not familiar.

4) How important would it be that the nesting + cutting be automated?

Automated nesting, important. Automated cutting (toolpathing?) not as important. I wouldn't mind applying all my toolpaths after the nesting was complete. Though if it can take a 3D model of an assembly, nest all the parts and apply toolpaths all in the same process, it would be huge. Again, this is production casework and woodworking, these days (see Cabinet Vision for the top of the line)

Excited to see what y'all come up with.

[Anonymous]

Bump / vote for pbesedaEF4HA. I'm in the exact same boat, and concur with every answer they gave. I also use Cabinet Vision. That takes care of most of our cabinet parts, but there is a TON of custom stuff we do that is literally impossible in CV...can't shape in more than 1 plane, for example. 

1. Definitely needed for 1-off / custom parts.

2. Would love multi-sheet nesting.

3. Not familiar with Inventor either.

4. Automated nesting = YES! Automated toolpaths = NO! It would be cool to have it available, but must have a manual override. Too many times, the program (read-Cabinet Vision) decides it knows better and overrides what I want/need it to do. 

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

vote for pbesedaEF4HA

[jimoberlander]

This is the only feature keeping us from fully committing to Fusion 360 and still keeping Rhino and Aspire in our workflow. Please, please, please add NESTING!

[jimoberlander]

Jeff,

Thanks for giving the Nesting topic enough consideration to ask questions! (Answers below)

1) How would you expect to use it? Would this be for simple "one-off" situations where you just want to lay out a set of parts on a single sheet, and then use the CAM workspace to generate cutting toolpaths?

We are a production CNC shop with a daily workflow in Fusion 360. However, if we want to have a nesting capability, we are forced into an export/import loop. This is a HUGE negative for us, as the end point of every project is a cut on our machines. Many projects would be a simple, single sheet nest. However, we also do large projects needing multi-sheet nesting to both layout for cutting and maximize material consumption.

2) What's your level of need for multi-sheet nesting?

About 50/50. Yet it has a MUCH higher importance for us... consider that it is pretty simple to layout a 4x8 pattern. Now try doing it with 70 unique sheets as cut for a recent project.

3) For those of you familiar with it, if we did something along the lines of what the Nesting Utility in Inventor does, would that work for you?

Not familiar.

4) How important would it be that the nesting + cutting be automated?

Cutting isn't even on my radar. While it takes time, and sometimes a part may accidentally be missed in assigning paths, nesting is the big drain on time and productivity. That nesting isn't included isn't just an inconvenience... it is a HUGE negative and forces me to use other software. Frankly, if I have to go back to a program with nesting, why not stay in that program?

Jeff, this isn't a question of whether to add a cool feature. This is about justifying keeping Fusion in the workflow. Nesting parts is the bridge step between CAD and CAM and a critical part of our workflow. (And for those of you that keep suggesting the export/import loop, thanks for the advice, but that's what we are already doing... and trying to avoid.)

[chmed]

I suppose this is the quick intro video to introduce us (those of us who aren't familiar with Inventor) to that style of nesting?  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdYVIA-fUs8

As far as I can tell, this uses some of the sheet metal tools/workflows?  

[philip]

I suppose this is the quick intro video to introduce us (those of us who aren't familiar with Inventor) to that style of nesting?  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdYVIA-fUs8

As far as I can tell, this uses some of the sheet metal tools/workflows?  

The Autodesk Nesting Utility is exactly what is needed. It would be wonderful to see it as an add-in or even integrated directly as has been done in Inventor.

Failing that, what is the best workflow for going out of F360 to nest in the Nesting Utility and then coming back to F360 for CAM?

[taylorsizemore]

Just want to add another vote for pbesedaEF4HA. He/she said it best and captures what we are looking for as well.

I run a mid size cabinet shop that is transitioning to in house production via CNC. I am an avid Fusion 360 user outside of work and would love if I didn't have to give Cabinet Vision any money. I am looking at spending 100-200k on a cnc and need to find a software that will work as well.

Excited to see that this feature might actually be happening!

[jdawg]

I can give you a contact that can get you posts and post tweaks for Fusion
if you like. I used him for my holzhers, and I couldn't be more pleased.

[Anonymous]

MaxCut is decent nesting software, something like it would be nice to have incorporated into Fusion 360 to cut down on the back and forth.

[jtrudel3JBC9]

I think nesting would be an important feature to add to fusion. Here at SCM we have more and more customers starting to use fusion with our machines, and nesting machines are the majority of our CNC's out there.  

[Cave_Master]

Any idea as to when this might be implemented?     

[jdawg]

It is up to Autodesk, and their software partners.

[Anonymous]

Considering it has been "Accepted" I'm curious to know what the plan is with the feature, and when we could expect to see it. I'd love to see some features similar to Alphacam nesting, supporting multiple materials, onion-skin and tab control, and "stay down" strategys (preventing head retracts by splicing together the toolpaths into one continuous movement) 

[jdawg]

I agree. Since I'm not an Autodesk employee, I am waiting just like
everyone else.One thing i would like to see if being able to differentiate
the type of machining being done, to access different strategies, just like
those you spoke of. IE, if I'm doing router nesting vs doing milling
machinest type work.

[Cave_Master]

Nesting of models, sketches, geometry, etc... would be beneficial to me, as would nesting of toolpaths.    Before I saw this topic I had created a thread on the HSM idea station for nesting of toolpaths.   I create lots of the same parts with a router on a sheet.   Being able to "nest" toolpath operations or even have more robust patterns would really help me.   To see more of what i am talking about take a look here.

[balunist]

I know a few of you have tried my app MapBoards. I've put a lot of effort
into it and the Pro version has unique DXF export capabilities. Feedback
is always welcome and from the comments I've received it is viewed as a
time saver.

[dmorris750]

Balunist,

Your MapBoards plugin is fantastic!  It has saved me a ton of time, and I really appreciate your efforts.  MapBoards and Sheeter completely transform the functionality of Fusion!!

Just wanted to give you a public shout out 😉

[OliverDownie]

My vote counts as 1000 votes (for nesting) which obviously means that everyone at Autodesk should drop what they are doing and work on nesting until it's ready...I wish.

At my house, turns out that I don't even get a vote anymore, my wife tells me my opinion.

I digress, as someone mentioned before - Vcarve Pro has an awesome nest tab - if F360 basis it on this they can't go wrong.

It's simple and intuitive...well we might not get simple and intuitive, but something, anything!