Fusion lathe missing functionality
@adrian8B2L2, thanks for posting and sharing your frustrations! I know this is said often, but your feedback is really beneficial as we do want to hear the thoughts and feedback from our customers.
I'll respond to your feedback in order of your nicely bulleted list, answering each point you raise in like manner. This might will be a long post, so take your time to go thru it 🙂
@adrian8B2L2 wrote:
- When can we use tool 3D tool assemblies to verify toolpaths - I hate working blind and quite often the tooling I am using cannot be described using the generic shanks inside Fusion.
We're working on it, we've narrowed down the scope of the work and it is ongoing. Nothing more to report at this point, but I'm involved directly with the conversation.
- When will face grooving get the ability to plunge at the centre of the groove and then alternate inside outside so I can spread the wear across both corners of the insert.
This is actually possible, the Passes tab has the option for side or center:
- When can I groove turn to rough a groove instead of being forced to plunge the entire way through it. I want to be able to plunge a relief groove, then re enter the groove and then turn up or downwards using the side of my grooving insert as a turning tool. Far better chip breaking!
So, make a relief on either end of the groove and go side-side?
The legacy Groove strategy had something close to this, although it did require an additional Single Groove toolpath beforehand. Is side-side something you would leverage frequently?
- When will adaptive be added to face grooving.
Adaptive Turning does support Face Grooving, but there's a current bug that prevents users from discovering the "how". In "Compare and Edit", set the Stock Limit to "Open" (from Bounded):
- When can we be given the ability to create preset entry exit paths that we can then use for Grooving operations / OD turning operations / ID boring or just because I need something specific.
I can't say that I recall this being discussed as future work. Could you give us an example where this would benefit you greatly?
- When can we have the ability to retract to a clearance point after X number of roughing or finishing passes or cutting distance.
I also don't think this is in the plans for future work. I would suggest breaking up the toolpath into multiple versions, each constrained to the depth/width that you desire
- When can we have the ability in grooving operations to switch offset numbers, particularly in finishing operations so I can size up a groove width and not have to fake it or hand fudge it.
Multiple offset numbers are not just a request for Turning, but for milling as well. In a perfect world, we would offer something in the toolpath UI itself. Alas, I suspect something of this nature is a ways off from reality, given the amount of other work we have to do that offers more pressing value to our customers. For now, duplicate the tool and assign a different offset value to it. I do indeed see the value, it's something I run into frequently myself.
- Please, lathe simulation
We hear you loud and clear! I can make no assurances, other than saying that the teams involved in this project are laser focused on delivering value.
- Please, lathe tool blocks, especially gang tool blocks, requiring a shift in Z or Y to use the second tool
Modeled tool blocks are part and parcel of the Turning Simulation requirements. When one becomes available, the other will be required as well
- When can I have the ability to gently taper on or off a face/diameter because it is already finished and i want to blend onto it, but not recut it.
You can do this now if you use a Sketch override. Are you referring to the idea of adding in a lead-in radius like we do have in Milling?
- Bosses inside bores. why such a PITA?
Yes, we're aware of some frustrations and limitations that are present when dealing with bosses inside of bores. If both the boss and the OD face surface are at the same Z height, it's not too much of an issue. For now, a Sketch/Model override is the solution while we sort out the problems with our toolpath calculation.
Upside down tooling to turn features on a boss at the bottom of a bore. Such a PITA.
Which aspect of upside down tooling is the biggest PITA for you? I'm aware of the steps needed, but there are some Insider Feature previews that will make this such a trivial task. Are you a member of the Insider Program?
Membership is free, but it does involve an application process. You can apply here: https://feedback.autodesk.com/key/Fusion360Insider
The enhancements that customers get from Insider is an overhaul on the Tool Library UI ( for Tool Orientation), along with new controls that put Spindle Direction controls directly in the toolpath itself (as opposed to being tied to the tool definition and tool direction)
Seth Madore
Customer Advocacy Manager - Manufacturing
@seth.madore Thanks for responding, I am in a better state of mind today so lets have a civilised conversation 😀, my opening post was 50/50 rant / feedback.
- 3D tools, glad to hear it and it is eagerly anticipated.
- Rough grooving start at centre, there is a major flaw with your suggestion. When using that strategy the tool plunges all the way to full depth and then works its way side to side plunging full depth. What should happen is that it plunges to a preset depth of cut, with or without chip breaking, then start plunging to the same depth working alternating inside / outside. With or without chipbreaking.
- Groove turning, you will have to forgive my ignorance, legacy grooving? I know zero about that. You wrote "So, make a relief on either end of the groove and go side-side?" In short yes. Long answer yes, but I want to be able to plunge my tool either inside, outside, or even central to a certain level, for example 2mm. Then the tool must lift off the floor of the plunge point, then start moving sideways. Manually making a relief groove is a non starter, not when you want to cut a deep, contoured groove. I am not cutting O ring grooves, the shapes are closer to rims for cars.
- Adaptive face grooving, good to know, but again, being relatively new to Fusion, it made me rage and I never would have thought to look under compare and edit to enable that parameter.
- Entry points. Here is an example I want ALL my OD operations to rapid to X200 Z50 ( example numbers ) before moving to X123.5 Z3.3225 ( end of approach and ready to start cutting ). The X200 Z50 is like a reference point that operators can use to check if they are god to go, that reference point is easily cross checked with a ruler. At the machine, single block on, move to reference point, verify tool position, single block off, start cutting.
- Entry points on ID operations are handy to create guidance paths when navigating large radial overhang grooving tools through tight bores. Also, as a means of allowing an operator to verify their tools when starting a job. Single block to the reference point, verify with a ruler, check clearances, single block off, cut.
- When can we have the ability to retract to a clearance point after X number of roughing or finishing passes or cutting distance. Swarf control, its everything on a lathe. It isn't too difficult to image a job with lots of deep, contoured grooves. I am not programming 20/30 operations each going 3mm deep.
- Multiple offsets, I get it.
- Lathe simulation, and tool blocks,
- Taper on, taper off to jobs. Let me check sketch override, that sounds like a good suggestion. Maybe.
- Bosses in bores. Come on Autodesk, more solutions, less work arounds!
- Upside down tooling. I am signed up to insiders, but am hes
You're from AU, I figured that was you being nice 😆
Kidding aside, this is good feedback. I'll dig into it more later and hit on your points.
On your Final note: there's a LOT of work to be done to fully support large mill/turn machines. It's going to be a long road, but hopefully not as long as it has taken for 3D tools and machine simulation...
Seth Madore
Customer Advocacy Manager - Manufacturing
Would you be able/willing to drop me an email? I'd like to learn more about what it is you do and what sort of machines etc. (stuff that we don't need to dragging out in a public forum)
seth DOT madore AT autodesk DOT com
Seth Madore
Customer Advocacy Manager - Manufacturing
