Cutting multiple parts at once

[crullier]

Hi guys, 

I have modeled and programmed a 2D part to cut on my CNC machine.

I need to cut multiples and want to do that at the same time. Currently, I am modeling the part a component, then linking it into a "CAM" model where I have my table top and fixtures. I am using joint to space copies of the parts (components). 

However I find myself doing that programming on that file and having to select the same features on all the instances. Is there a better way for this workflow - in any way.  Where I may just program one part and have fusion replicate that programming on all the other instances?

I hope I am going a good job explaining

[paul.clauss]

Hi @crullier

Thanks for posting! It sounds like you may be able to make your workflow more efficient by using component patterns in the CAM workspace - this will work to eliminate the need to reselect geometry in instanced components. 

You can learn about CAM patterns at this link, and I have discussed how instanced components relate to CAM patterns in this forum thread - hopefully this helps!

Please let me know if you have any questions - I am happy to assist.

[crullier]

@paul.clauss Thank you for the link. That is what I was looking for.

I have some questions if you do not mind.

In your example you have two parts in a double vise.

1- did you setup up two pieces of stock? or only one piece of stock on the "master" part?

1.1 if you are cutting 20 parts on a large CNC table, do you model the stock to encompass all the parts?

2- if you starting point is one stock piece, how do you ensure the when you move to the second part, you start at the proper location and not crash into the vise.

virtually, the CAM program will follow the part, but what is the best way to coordinate that on the physical / actually machine side - how do you lay everything out to its matched the virtual layout?

I can only thing of using the CNC machine to probe and measure the distance of the vise to a know point - but them I need to make sure my vice geometry or spacing in the CAM environment match the actual. Seems like a crazy task and recipe for disaster. I have never done it but I am interested to learn please.

Thank you

[crullier]

^ does anyone else care to please chime in?

[daniel_lyall]

The part from the video is in the cam samples folder

[daniel_lyall]

Have a look at this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWz4uVPqk6Y  and the one's in here https://www.youtube.com/user/AutodeskCAM/videos

[paul.clauss]

Hi @crullier

Thanks for the response - my apologies for the late reply here!

In my video with two parts in the double vise, I created two bodies based off the part models to define as stock bodies. You can learn more about defining stock from solids at this link - I like to use this method in any setup with multiple parts being cut from separate pieces of stock in a single setup. If you had 20 parts on a table, you would need to model the stock bodies for each part. However, using instanced components and including the stock bodies in the instanced components can make this a very quick process if the parts are all identical.

I think that this video may help you understand how to place a part in a vise for a CAM setup - if you do not have your vise modeled in Fusion you can practice with the workholding models in the CAM Samples > Workholding folder in your Data panel.

If working with a double vise like in my video, there are two relatively straightforward options at the machine. We could create a single CAM setup in Fusion for both parts. This will work if we are sure that the vise model in Fusion matches the true geometry of the vise at the machine table. 

If we wanted to reference both parts being cut (maybe we are unsure of if the CAD vise geometry is exact), we could create a new setup referencing a new machine coordinate system for each part being cut - Part #1 would refer to G54, Part #2 to G55... etc. This article may explains this method and help you get started!

Hopefully this helps! Let me know if you have any questions - I'm happy to assist. 

[kylematthew159]

Hi, Is there a way to program multiple dissimilar parts while still keeping an optimized tool order? Also they parts will be not be on a fixture with predetermined positions so 1 Works coordinate system will not be enough. Currently I can't figure out a way to do this. 

Thanks. 

[paul.clauss]

Hi @kylematthew159

You could create multiple setups referencing different WCS and then use the "Order by Tool" option flag in the post process dialogue to do this.

[kylematthew159]

Thanks Paul. The wording in the setup section is a little weird when it comes to the duplicates part. I didn't realize if you just kept the duplicates to "1", it would stay as one part. You have to do this for all the setups you wish to group together in the post. Then you have to make sure that reorder tools is on in the post processor box.

Thanks again for the help!

[josh4EWAU]

you ever find out how to place multiple different pieces and tool paths in "one sheet of pdf) to cut them all at the same time? Here's my challenge.

I designed multiple pieces with different tools and tool paths, but I can cut/carve them all in the same 4x8 pdf sheet.

Because I did the setup for each individually, now I'm wondering how to bring them all in a 4x8 "STOCK" and cut at once.

Can anyone help me out?