Automating 3 axis Mill+Lathe CAM

[Anonymous]

I'm a student building a 4axis CNC machine (2d milling + a lathe for the A axis).

I've been looking around for CAM software to generate GCode for my board.

Found Fusion360, FeatureCAM, PowerMill, and others.

The machine I have is extremely simple. Same machine, only one tool, no change in tool speed, etc. I'm trying to create a prototype, so no need for fancy machining. Using the same stock always as well.

The gist of it is that I want the entire process automated. From importing the part, choosing the machine setup, to generating toolpaths and the GCode. I want this to be done perhaps in the background or without any user intervention. Perhaps using the Python API.

Is there a way to do this in any of the above mentioned software? I've been reading that the Fusion360 CAM API isn't ready yet. Please guide me as you are more experienced in the set of tools. I'm not sure where to start or if it's even possible.

Thank you!

[oscar-cadcampilot]

I haven't attempted to do this in Fusion 360, but I know that PowerMill is absolutely capable in automating the entire process that you described. You'll want to make sure you have a working post prossesor for your custom machine first, but aside from that, the automation process is pretty simple in PowerMill using a macros.

There's a macro programming guide in the instal to help you out and there's many online tutorial videos as well.

Heres a link to a great set of videos by Micheal Grenier from Autodesk that give a good explanation of the macro creation process.

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/cad-cam/beginner-to-advanced-understanding-writing-macros/ 

[kandennti]

I have used several CAM software, but PowerMill is the best.
Probably all of the GUI operations can be done with macros.

The recommended editor for macro development is "Notepad++", but I just couldn't get used to it, so I created and released an extension for VSCode.

https://github.com/kantoku-code/PowerMill-Macro-Syntax-Highlight-for-VSCode 

[Anonymous]

Are Macros available to work in the background? I took a glance at the link you sent, and I felt like the GUI is still part of it and available. Right?

[oscar-cadcampilot]

@Anonymous , if you're up for it, you can develop the macro completely offline, but the interface is helpful for debugging and visuallizing the commands.

However, after the macro has been developed and proofed out, the only thing you'd need the interface for is maybe selecting your model file and initiating the given macro. 

[BrianEkins]

The Fusion 360 CAM API is still quite limited with respect to creating new toolpaths.  You can read more about what's currently available here: http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-7F3F9D48-ED88-451A-907C-82EAE67DEA93