Fully Automating Design from CAD to CAM with Fusion 360 API

[akimmelUYSQM]

Hello!

I am a PhD student at Carnegie Mellon University and we are interested in fully automating a manufacturing process for a part using the Fusion 360 API. By fully automating I mean zero human interaction, especially for the CAM part. It seems like in order to use the CAM API today you must generate pre-existing templates and manually assign features (like holes) to their corresponding CAM operations.

Is there a way to automate this that exists or is in the works?

If not, I'm trying to find a large dataset of pre-defined parts with their full toolpaths, CAM operation files, setups, and cost analysis so we can use machine learning to take a CAD file and automatically generate CAM operations without any human clicking to tell the computer where to drill what feature. Also, I would like to see the content of a CAM operation template file NOT through some GUI. I need to see the actual contents of the file, whether in byte code or some other encoding. Is there a way for me to download them to my local computer and open them with some sort of text editor?

Thanks!

[BrianEkins]

Unfortunately, the current CAM API is incomplete and it's not possible to do what you described. Hopefully, we'll see some additional functionality in the not too distant future.

[akimmelUYSQM]

If that is the case, is it possible for us to have a set of complete CAD design with CAM operation + toolpath files so we could try to use ML to generate CAM operations for a certain design? Do you know where we could get such a data set?

[BrianEkins]

I'm not certain what you're looking for but if it's what I think it is, I'm not aware of anything like that publicly available. You would need to create your own designs and machining definitions.

[akimmelUYSQM]

Yeah, I'm basically looking for a large repository of both the CAD designs and their corresponding CAM operation files/toolpaths. It seems like there are large repositories of CAD designs alone but not ones with their matching manufacturing information. Thanks for your help!

[Cave_Master]

There is a lot of CAM samples included with Fusion.   Also a lot of people post designs and toolpaths into the forums.

Its going to be a tough thing to automate as there are many parameters which are dependent on individual machine, materials, and tool selection.

[ArjanDijk]

There is no way to do contour selection from that API so there is your main limitation. There are some possibilities to full automate a process but a requires parts that are a bit predictable and can work without manual selection of contours. In this case you might even have to accept that you manually have to app a few finishing steps.

What you can do:

1. Use 2D contour/Adaptive/pocket with pocket recognition with a certain set of limitations that suit your model
   
   
2. Use 3D pocket/adaptive to auto machine your parts on generation
3. Use 3D pocket/adaptive with smaller tools and rest machining to clear the smaller area's
4. Use Drill/Bore with diameter range to autoselect holes in a certain range
5. Use Flat machine to finish flat surface

Apply these from a template and you can automate as much as Fusion allows you today