How to show real-time movement in CNC simulation

[cuttingwood]

Does anyone know how to get the CNC simulation to run in real time?  For example, if you have the tool set to run at 100 ipm in an operation, that the spindle in the simulation actually moves at 100 ipm.  The default on the simulation speed slider is quite obviously faster than real-time, but I'm not sure where to set the slider to get real time.  Is it possible, or do the slider positions represent arbitrary speeds with no units.  The slider does not move smoothly - it seems to have detents or move in fixed increments.  It seems reasonable to expect that the UI would show you something like 1x, 2x, 4x, etc. at each position, but it does not.  Are we supposed to guess?  Are we supposed to not care how fast the simulation runs relative to real-time.  This seems such an obvious omission, that I'm wondering if I overlooked something.

[seth.madore]

There is no option for "real-time" simulation movement, sorry.

[programming2C78B]

Is there a specific reason you'd want this? 

[cuttingwood]

There sure is.  Watching the simulation in real time can help eliminate speed setting errors, see where you might be pushing your machine too hard, or spot a potential optimization.  There are a lot of places to specify feed rates or movement rates.  Seeing the simulation in real time can help spot a potential problem, or see where you can speed up an operation.

Of course, you can just run your machine to achieve the same thing, but this wastes time and materials, and isn't that the point of a simulation?

Besides, this such an obvious thing to add to the UI, since the simulation already runs at real-time at some setting on the slider, it just needs to be labeled.  Why wouldn't we want this?

[DarthBane55]

I wish my boss would let me sit for 4 hours watching a simulation 😭

Jokes aside, wouldn't it be vastly depending on CPU and graphics cards?  I don't think it is possible to have real time across different computers is it?  I could be wrong, but when I got a new PC, sim got much smoother and faster, so the 1X thing would be out the window I think.

[a.laasW8M6T]

"I wish my boss would let me sit for 4 hours watching a simulation "

Yea ay, there's no way I'm ever gonna watch simulation at "Real time" maybe if your part only took 5 mins but most of my stuff is 20mins to multiple hours, if I watched it in real time, then went oops I need to change something, make a change then watch it all again I'd never actually make any parts haha.

I do slow stuff down in areas where I want to check clearances n stuff but that is normally slower than real time as I really want to see what's happening.

I think there's two schools of thought on simulation speed, those that want real time sim speed and those that think its totally unnecessary, I'm firmly in the unnecessary camp.

I'm not sure if there is any cam software out there that offers "real time" simulation speed

[DarthBane55]

I think there is, actually I don't know if it's CAM or simulators, but the purpose is more to look at the screen instead of trying to see in the machine thru the coolant and stuff.  But those are linked to the machine I believe, as the real time is critical, not just for simulation.  For simulating a job, I too fail to see why you want real time, but like you said, some people want it so I'm sure they can put it to good use.

For speeding operations up, you can see the machining time in Fusion, if you feel it's too long, you can work on the path, but it doesn't have to be real time for this.  In simulation mode in Fusion, on the bottom timeline, you can clearly see the proportion of how long each path takes, so based on that you can put more effort to the longest ones.

[cuttingwood]

I think my original question is being misunderstood.  I am NOT suggesting that it is useful to watch the ENTIRE simulation in real time.  But, for the reasons I suggested, it may be useful to watch a portion of the simulation in real time.  In any case, Fusion already does this. The simulation can be run at many times faster than real time, many times slower than real time, and several speeds in between.  They allowed the speed of the simulation to be changed at any time with the slider, very likely for the reasons that I suggested.  They simply forgot to label the slider positions - 1x, 2x, 5x, 1/2 x, etc.  I am only questioning why they didn't label the slider positions.

[seth.madore]

Well, not really. There is no "1X" position, as all motions are displayed at the same feedrate, rapids and feeds alike (for each slider setting). Notice that there's no displayed difference between a feedrate of F.50 (IPM) and F100. (IPM)

[cuttingwood]

Ok, this is a good point.  All the spindle movements are shown at the same speed, and don’t reflect the actual speed/feed settings that the user has set for the operation.  But then I have to ask, why not?  Fusion knows the rate that the spindle is supposed to move at, and Fusion’s simulation has a speed control.  Why not show the correct speed rates for the operation, and allow the slider to function as a multiplier? Wouldn’t this make the simulation much more useful?  

[ashes.man]

I would love to see this feature added to F360.  I asked the exact same question years ago after I broke a tool because I accidentally added an extra 0 to a plunge feed rate!

+1 for me to have this added as a simulation option.

[mancavedweller23]

And I want this for not only learning the various cam settings but also do some quick checks before machining a part.

Example, I'd like to see the obvious difference in feedrates between a machining operation, leadin/leadouts, transition moves, rapids, etc. Would simply give you a quick idea that you didn't screw up on any of your programmed settings.

As for the learning side, you change a parameter then check the simulation to see the feedrate changed exactly where you expected it would.

[s00323906]

I just wanted to jump on here and say that not having real time access is silly. Why in the world can't we see 50ipm or 60ipm or 100ipm visually in real time? I am a machinist, fabricator and professional draftsman/designer with Mechanical and Architectural experience. When you machine something manually you have the touch and feel of the feed rate. You can adjust it based on what you see visually. Folks that strictly program and make models HAVE NO IDEA HOW USEFUL  IT IS TO SEE REAL TIME. Just so Autodesk understands... YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS AN OPTION. No ands, ifs, or buts. JUST DO IT. Simple. Get it done. Provide us this option and move on. Why is this so hard? 

[s00323906]

We need this option. Talk to the big guys upstairs and tell them that the people ACTUALLY using the software to make parts need this. No ands, ifs, or buts. WE NEED THIS. Simple. GET IT DONE. Please 🙂

[programming2C78B]

"YOU NEED TO LEARN TO PROGRAM OFF OF CHIP PER TOOTH. No ands, ifs, or buts. JUST DO IT. Simple. Get it done. Use this option and move on. Why is this so hard?"

That's how I feel. 🙂

[s00323906]

I can. Now back to the original message. WE NEED THIS OPTION. Application of more than one technique is useful. Now start breathing more through your nose and less through your mouth. It helps. No ifs, ands, or buts. It will help your brain. 😉