Empty Toolpaths - they were working, then I slightly tweaked my model externally and now toolpaths are empty...

[drmoon]

I'm new to Fusion and, as the title says, I'm having difficulty with toolpaths working sometimes and then 'all of a sudden' becoming empty after tweaking the original model. I've attached an .f3d file. I'm having trouble with the first three toolpaths/operations of the second setup called "bottom side". Any help or education is greatly appreciated!

While I'm asking questions, I'm also having trouble with the toolpath called "contour vacuum surfaces" from the first setup ("top side") - it's not contouring the entire surface (obviously not including the undercuts - see attached picture) and I'm not sure why. Any ideas?

[drmoon]

I changed the second setup to not rely on the previous set up (rest machining) and then the toolpaths work... So I guess my main question relates to rest machining.

I'm still trying to figure out why the contours aren't removing all the material. An ok workaround that I've figured out for now is to also run a scalloping operation after the contours, but this is less than ideal (it seems to miss a little material too). 

Hopefully someone has some ideas...Thanks in advance!

[sutherland-]

Hi @drmoon 

1)

There could be a number of reasons why the toolpaths are becoming empty after tweaking the original model. Some things to check include:

• Make sure that the toolpaths are being generated for the correct setup and that the correct tool is selected.
• Check that the model geometry is closed and watertight.
• Verify that the stock model is correctly defined and that the toolpaths are not cutting into the stock.
• Make sure that the toolpaths are not being generated outside of the stock model
• Also, if the toolpaths are not showing up, then check the visibility of the toolpaths in the model tree.

Additionally, it may be helpful to review the Autodesk Fusion 360 documentation or tutorials on toolpaths to ensure that you have a good understanding of how to generate and edit them.

2) 

It sounds like the "contour vacuum surfaces" toolpath from the "top side" setup is not generating correctly. Based on the information provided and the picture you've attached it seems that the toolpath is not contouring the entire surface. This issue might happen for a few reasons:

• The geometry that you want to contour is not selected correctly when you generate the toolpath. Make sure that the correct surfaces are selected before generating the toolpath.
• The toolpath settings may not be configured correctly for the operation. Verify that the proper parameters are set for the toolpath, including the stepover and cut depth.
• The machine kinematics might not be properly defined. Make sure that the machine definition is correct and that the machine is able to reach all the required areas of the part.
• If the toolpath is not contouring the entire surface, it could be an indication that the toolpath is not properly handling the undercuts. Make sure that the toolpath is set up to handle undercuts and that the tool is able to reach all the necessary areas of the part.

It could also be that the part is not designed correctly and the undercuts are not allowing the tool to reach all the surface, in this case, you might need to modify the part design or the machining strategy.

It's also possible that the issue is caused by a software bug, and it might be helpful to check with Autodesk support to see if there is a known issue that might be causing the problem.

3) 

It sounds like you've found a workaround for the issue with the "contour vacuum surfaces" toolpath not removing all the material. The fact that the toolpaths worked when you changed the second setup to not rely on the previous setup (rest machining) suggests that the issue may be related to how rest machining is being used.

Here are a few things to check when setting up rest machining:

• Verify that the correct geometry is selected for the rest machining operation. This should be the remaining material that needs to be removed after the previous toolpath operations.
• Make sure that the toolpath settings for the rest machining operation are configured correctly, such as the stepover, cut depth, and cutting direction.
• Check that the machine kinematics are defined correctly and that the machine is able to reach all the required areas of the part.

As for the workaround, you could try to adjust the parameters for the contouring operation, such as the stepover, cut depth and the tool diameter. Also, you could check the toolpath to see if the rest machining operation is removing more material than it should.

In general, when you encounter issues with toolpaths, it is always a good idea to verify that the toolpath settings are configured correctly, that the correct geometry is selected, and that the machine definition is correct.

[seth.madore]

For your failing 3D Contour, turn off your "Contact Only" radio button. Result:

For all your failing toolpaths, one of the contributing factors was that you had different Models selected in your Setups. On the Top side setup, you selected 8 individual bodies. On the Bottom Side setup, you selected the "CAM Root:1" top level folder. Always make sure you're selecting the same bodies. That said, it's still going to give a warning, as In Process Stock cannot be calculated with multiple bodies.

 

[drmoon]

Hi Seth,

Thank you for the response.

When I created the second setup - I didn't actually select "CAM Root:1", it was AUTOFILLED for me - I'm not sure what setting (maybe the "Mode: From preceding setup" under the stock tab) caused that to happen, but I assumed it was correct, because Fusion did it on its own...

I obviously have more reading to do about rest machining. Thank you!

[drmoon]

Hi Sutherland,

Thank you for the reply. 

I did check:

• that the toolpaths are being generated for the correct setup and that the correct tool is selected.
• that the model geometry is closed and watertight.

Regarding: 

•  the stock model is correctly defined and that the toolpaths are not cutting into the stock.

I'm confused when you say that the toolpaths are not cutting the stock...my understanding is that the stock is literally what my models will be cut from. The toolpaths weren't defined by the stock, but the models that reside 'inside' of it...

This seems in direct conflict with the above point...: 

• Make sure that the toolpaths are not being generated outside of the stock model

Thank you for the other suggestions, based on my current understanding, I am doing all of these.