Not adding tool changes to g-code?

[kjav]

Hello all. Earlier this week Fusion went on strike. It now suddenly refuses to add any tool change commands to the generated G-Code.

I've done a few tests where I set an operation to a 1/4" flat end mill, then later in the steps I do an operation with a 1/16" flat mill. I've verified both operations do have the correct tool selected. Normally the G-code would include a T line, like T2 M6. But now for some reason it refuses to add these, so I have to manually go back through the c-code and add them myself.

I'm not aware that anything has changed as it always inserted these in the past.

If it makes any difference, I'm exporting code for a cncrouterparts machine using the post script provided by them "cncrouterparts.cps - CNC Router Parts (Mach3Mill)".

Much thanks for any help!

-Kevin

[LibertyMachine · Accepted solution]

It seems to be working on my end. The one thing you might want to check is to see if both tools share the same tool number. This would negate the second tool change

[kjav]

Thanks! Looks like that was it!

I had been adding operations from stored templates and they were indeed all being assigned tool #1. I went into the tool editor, selected them, and selected "re-number tools" and that fixed it.

I really wish there was an easy way to copy/paste between different parts. I work around by saving each as a template then re-creating from the new template on a new version of the part. It's a topic for a different post, but I work in SolidWorks and upload parts to Fusion for the CAM work. Problem is, whenever there is an update to any part, I haven't found any way to get Fusion to accept the new version and just let me edit where needed - so a complicated part that has 20 or so operations, if I make the smallest edit in SolidWorks, I have to spend 30-60 minutes re-creating all the tool operations from templates. Seems horribly inefficient but I can't find a better way to do it.

Thanks again for the help!

-Kevin

[LibertyMachine]

Have you tried using Fusion for your modeling? It's rather robust and able to meet the needs of most users. It's a small learning curve, but well worth it, imo. That way, make your changes and regen toolpaths as needed. Not a lot gets dropped

[kjav]

Yes thank you for the suggestion. I've tried quite a few times but I find the sketch/model system in Fusion to be extremely buggy and frustrating to use. I really want to love it and use it, I just can't get anything done beyond simple shapes. I've worked daily in SW for 10 years so I'm comfortable with CAD.

[LogicSpeaks]

Thanks for this suggestion,

I didn't realize that this would happen - every single one of my Tools is # 1 (I started inputting my own tools only recently).

Screwed up a big project, but live and learn I guess.

BTW what is length and diameter offset? When you use the arrow tabs to change the tool number it also changes the diameter and length offset.