Creating composite fixtures for machining

[jmillerXL6J2]

I'm trying to work out a workflow issue.

We are making metal castings. After the parts are cast, they need final machining operations done to them (CNC mill type stuff).

Each part has two F360 Components in their file: One Component defining the "final machined" form, and one Component defining the "as-cast" form.

There are two steps to the machining. In step 1, the raw casting is clamped into a custom fixture that is modeled in it's own F360 file. That fixture file is imported into the cast part's F360 model. The F360 fixture file contains a Sketch that is needed to extrude the geometry of the part so that it fits into the fixture.

That much of the process is working fine, using the Manufacturing module to generate tool paths.

Here's the part where I'm stuck: After the first machining operation is complete, we remove the partially machined part, attach it to a second fixture, then attach that second fixture to the first fixture. The goal here is to only have to orient the first fixture on the CNC. Once that's set, all subsequent operations will be automatically oriented.

Which is to say, the second step of machining has a composite fixture. It is made from three parts:

1) The first fixture, already mounted to the CNC

2) A bracket to connect the first fixture to the second

3) The second fixture

Those three elements get assembled into a single unit.

#1 and #2 are Components inside the F360 model where the fixture was created. 

Because each variation on these parts has different size, they each have their own #2 (the second fixture). We create that fixture as a separate component in the part's F360 file.

So what I need to figure out is how to combine two Components from an imported file with a third Component (present locally in the part's file) into a single "thing" that the Manufacturing module will treat as a single entity when I define the "Fixture" for the Setup.

I hope all that makes sense. My hunch is there is something simple I'm missing that will make this easy, but if there is, I'm struggling to find it.

Thanks!

[laughingcreek]

hmm...I think I understand, but some pics or example files would help explain the process a little better.  maybe you could post a simplified mock-up to illustrate.

but, on a side note-

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@jmillerXL6J2 wrote:

..., attach it to a second fixture, then attach that second fixture to the first fixture. The goal here is to only have to orient the first fixture on the CNC. Once that's set, all subsequent operations will be automatically oriented.

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setting fixture 2 inside fixture 1 just compounds any possible positional errors (and adds opportunities for error).  I always index the machine to the clamping devise,  fixtures index to the clamp.  doesn't mater what the part or fixture is, the ref point for the machine is always the same.  I can run multiple parts thru multiple fixtures and only have to ever set the CNC position once.  

[jmillerXL6J2]

Appreciate your interest.

Here you are:

This is "Fixture #1:

For Step 1 machining, the castings sit inside Fixture #1 like this:

The Phase two (composite, if you will) fixture looks like this:

For Step 2 machining, the casting is mounted on top of fixture #2. 

Components 1 and 2 originate inside a F360 file that is then linked into the current file. Component 3 is native to the current file.

My goal is to figure out how to get 1, 2, and 3 combined so that the Machining module treats the whole thing as a single "Fixture".

[laughingcreek]

sorry, misread your question as a modeling question.

each combination of fixtures will have to be a separate assembly, with the fixtures as subcomponents.  you use the assembly in the setup folder instead of the individual fixtures.

fixture assembly A = fixture 1

fixture assembly B = fixture 1  + fixture 2

fixture assembly C= fixture 1 + fixture 2 + fixture 3

etc.

[jmillerXL6J2 · Accepted solution]

Figured it out.

Pretty "duh" moment. The Machining module allows you to select multiple solids when specifying the fixture.

Simple as that.