How do I duplicate 1 part 30+ times and mill out on my CNC?

[HuntleyBill]

I have the attached file that I want to duplicate and fit as many as I can onto a 24 X 48 inch piece of stock. I tried copying the part multiple times but I found two things that didn't seem to work well.

• It took a long time to copy (I got a total of 36) each piece and line them up with a gap of 7 mm for my 1/4" flat end mill.
• When I went into manufacturing, the setup would only let me mill the first piece and didn't recognize the other pieces.

I have to think F360 already has a streamlined way to do this but I couldn't find any tutorials. So:

• Is there a way to duplicate a given piece and have F360 figure out how many pieces will fit on a giver piece of stock?
• Or, at least, is there a way to duplicate parts to fit that is a little more efficient?
• Also, as a bonus, can it be set up that if I need to make a change to the original drawing, it will duplicate that change so I don't need to duplicate each and every copy?

Thank you for your time and advice.

Bill

[jhackney1972]

I think I covered all you needs using Fusion 360 processes.  Fusion has a "nesting solution but it is not really what you expect and not real suited to this situation.  Take a look at the Screencast and the attached model.  In the model, do not forget about the suppressed hole I mentioned in the video and try it out.  A rectangular pattern is just like copying multiple times, all components are identical so an feature added to the original "before" the pattern will be carried through.  By the way, I used the number of components you mentioned in your title (30) not 36 but it is an easy change.

[HuntleyBill]

Thank you John

In order to get as many as I could onto a 24 inch by 48 inch piece of stock,  I did the layout I attached. First I created a contruction line box the size of the stock to give me a visual reference for fitting in all the copies. Then I copied 3 across, then copied one row down rotating them 180 degrees. Then I copied the set of 6 until I filled up the stock.

Also you say "pattern like this". I never used Pattern, I don't know how to do it.

What do you think?

[HuntleyBill]

OK.. I think I got it. I copied the original model. Rotated it 180 degrees and placed it under the original with a 7 mm gap between them. Then I did a pattern to give me 3 columns down and 6 rows across. This amount fit into my "construction line " stock box. (with a little room to spare). But I had to manually go back and measure between each row/column to adjust for approx. 7mm spacing.

Did I do this the best way?

If there a better way to set the spacing between patterns?

Also, after doing the above, I tried making a change to  the original model and it did NOT change any of the other copies. Am I missing something in the copy process that causes it to not change all the copies?

Thank you again

Bill

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

The process for creating a pattern, with perfect spacing, is easy but it requires you to do some measurements and a little math.  Remember, there is a calculator built into Fusion 360 number entry fields so you do not need a calculator, you will see this in the Screencast.  Your last point about adding a feature to the original and it propagating to all is matter of manipulating the timeline.  The timeline represents history, with processes on the left of the marker happening before things to the right.  So if you move the timeline marker back before the pattern, add the feature to the original and then move the timeline marker back to the right, the feature will apply to the patterned parts.  The process is simple by can get confusing especially since Screencast are not the best method to help anyone but that is the best we have.  I am attaching your modified model I create the Screencast with so you can follow along.

[chrisplyler]

Does the controller of your CNC have any provision for repeating a program while stepping the coordinates for each instance?

Maybe look at a few tutorials: https://www.nyccnc.com/multiple-part-work-tutorials/

Here is a good one to show you what is possible only by modifying your G-code. Only modeling the part once, and repeating it at different work offsets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbrxyHWmAwM

[HuntleyBill]

OMG, THANK YOU!!!

What a fantastic explanation. I learned a lot.

[HuntleyBill]

One more question. Just out of curiosity, what if you don't know how many pieces you can get out of your stock? In this example, I knew I could get 6 rows and 3 columns out of the stock. What if you don't know how many pieces you can get? Lets say I have my given stock size, and I know what my model size is, I also know my bit size, and I want to cut as many pieces out of the given stock as I can.

Would I use the explanation/procedure above and adjust the number of piece until I get a fit or is there a way the F360 figures it for you?

I know F360 is amazing but is it THAT amazing?