Generate g-code for beam line machines

[jerryNYCB8]

1. Im currently drawing up steel frame in fusion 360 and wondered if there's a tutorial or videos that teach how 

to Generate g-code for beam line machines if that is even possible with fusion 360. I would like to draw up PFC, RHS with notches and send of to a manufacturer to have cut out ready to weld together when returned. Any tutorial or instructions on how to accomplish this with fusion 360 will be greatly appreciated 

[seth.madore]

No, Fusion doesn't support this sort of Fabrication technology, sorry. I'm not aware of any add-ins that can accomplish this either.

As for Designing it, all we have at the moment is Sheet Metal, which I don't think is going to give you what you're looking for...

[DS_P]

Typically when dealing with any 3rd party manufacturer such as the beam line company you describe, the client sends them a drawing of what you want and maybe a universal CAD file like an STEP or STL.  The beam line company would then prepare the g-code for their machine using their software based on your drawing.   So the only two modules you need from Fusion to do that are Design and Drawing. Manufacture would not be used.

I don't know of anyone with a CNC machine who would run G code sent to them from a client.

[jerryNYCB8]

We have 2 large steel manufactures here in Australia that prefer NC1 files and a pdf of the part being manufactured. The only other way is for them to re-draw the complete part again for their system or machine to be able to cut item at an additional charge. I have come across DSTV files, which believe are the same as NC1?  Is this possible to produce in manufacture tab in fusion 360? We were hoping this was possible to do with fusion 360 to reduce workshop production cost. But may have to now look for a different program if we cant find a solution. 

[DS_P]

I had a look at NC1 a bit, it's fairly different from ISO standard
milling/turning gcode so I can see why it's not yet supported in F360. It
does kind of make sense why they ask for it as its looks like its mostly
just hole locations and not a normal g-code file which has tool paths,
feeds and speeds (hence more ability to crash/damage a machine.)

Have you talked to them and seen how much they charge to redraw in their software per part? If its not unreasonable maybe worth paying depending on number of different parts and volume produced.

Even considering the above it still seems like a really odd client side
requirement as many people have CAD but fewer have CAM software capable of
this. I did find several other forum posts for other CAD/CAM softwares
discussing this problem of the beam line vendors wanting DSTV/NC1, so you
are not alone, just super odd/specific. Maybe the beam line companies
actually do not want to deal directly with small clients and want you to go
through an approved vendor like a steel works company or structural
engineer first who then makes the file and clips the ticket (obviously not
the best workflow for in house products.) Kind of a way of saying bugger
off we only want to make big runs of universal I-beam for skyscrapers.

You said PFC and RHS, are we talking stuff in the 50mm to 150mm range?
Might a tube laser vendor be more friendly? No affiliation, just the top
google, but someone like this
https://www.lasercentral.com.au/services/tubular-laser-cutting/

Btw I'm in NZ.

[jerryNYCB8]

Thanks for that great reply. Yes we have contacted both large steel manufacturing companies and they do require NC1 files , or they charge a drafting fee on top of manufacturing charge. Not what we really want. Thanks for the laser central service as they are close to us. I have just sent an email so will see what they reply with. Our sizing is between 50-200 so they can produce what we need. Maybe fusion 360 can produce a tool path to what they require. Will report back. thanks again.