Answer Day - Howto for Assemblies, primarily but not exclusively for CAM ?

[Trigg3r]

OK, so now I'm comfortable with Fusion, Assembly structure etc and pretty much using it for everything CAM related.

However, one thing I just can't seem to settle on is how to manage what Solidworks used configurations for, especially in CAM.

For example, I have a part and stock modelled, and a model of my vice in a separate design that can be inserted.

Now, if I need 3 setups (to machine 3 features on 3 different faces for example) what's the best way to go about this ?

A) - If I use 3 instances of my part + stock and 1 instance of the vice, I can't use joints to position the part as they conflict (fixed jaw is fine, movable jaw is a problem) 

B) - If I go the other way and have 1 instance of part and stock, do I really need to insert 3 instances of my vice ? It's do-able but it's a hell of a file size bump, especially if I'm using my mobile data 😮

Am I missing something where I can suppress joints dependant on an items visibility ? That way I could at least use option A. I guess because joints between components have to be at the top level makes things awkward.

Maybe if a type of joint existed at the same local level as the component you want to move (not the grounded component), then maybe it could be suppressed when that item/component is hidden?

At the moment its a real ball ache to swap setups and having to hide 2 or more vices to program a setup.

Or am I just missing something really simple ?

[paul.clauss · Accepted solution]

Hi @Trigg3r,

Thanks for posting! It looks like you are trying to create sets of joints that will allow multiple machining operations to be programmed with different setups.

While there is not a way to suppress joints based on a components visibility, you can suppress joints by right clicking on the joint in the browser and using the "Suppress" command. You could try creating a set of joints for Op #1, another set for Op #2,...and so on. Then, when you want to position the part to run Op #1, simply suppress all the other joints. This should allow you to use only one instance of both the part and vise. When using this technique, the joint errors will still be shown until only the joints for a single setup are unsuppressed. They will then disappear (once conflicting joints are suppressed).

Be sure to name your joints according to setup when using this method to avoid a real headache!

Hopefully this helps to answer your question! If it does not, feel free to let me know and we can continue to troubleshoot! If you'd like to have me take a look at your particular setup, feel free to post it on the forum or send it to me and a direct message - I'd be happy to have a look!

Kind Regards,

[Trigg3r]

Hi @paul.clauss, thanks for your reply.

You are bang on about what I'm after. Being inherently lazy, (or efficient as I like to call it 😉 ) I'm always after the fastest/easiest way to jump from setup to setup.

I guess at the moment I'll plod on with the joint suppression/setup selection/named view selection to achieve this.

It would be kind of nice though if we could group joints (possibly into folders, or link them to cam setups, along with a custom Named View, all in the CAM workspace of course) but at least I have a work around for now.    

Cheers.

[paul.clauss]

Hi @Trigg3r,

Thanks for the reply! I agree that it would be very useful to be able to define joint groups in the CAM workspace to reposition the part for multiple setups. I think that it is a great idea for the Fusion 360 Ideastation, where users can propose and vote on future product features. You'd have my vote! Maybe even the CAM setup dialogue could have an option to position the part...