[OPEN] Looking for feedback on the multi-axis options which have been added to many of the 3D toolpaths

[dylan_smith]

In the May 2022 major release of Fusion 360, the manufacturing team has added the multi-axis options seen in Steep and Shallow to many of the pre-existing 3D strategies. It's important to note the only option not added which is available in Steep and Shallow is lead/lean. These options currently only support lollipop and ballnose tools too. 

The toolpaths that have adopted the options are parallel, scallop, pencil, spiral, radial, morphed spiral and project. They come with various primary modes such as vertical, to/from point and to/from curve. Preferred tilt is another option which allows us to keep the tool axis within a specified angle. There are multiple collision avoidance options such as automatic, to/from point and to/from curve. Along with tool axis limits to define the maximum angle our tool can go to, these options are very powerful and allow many more of the 3D toolpaths to produce efficient multi-axis toolpaths. 

These options are currently hidden behind a feature flag named 'Multi-Axis Options for 3D Strategies', meaning they're free for the time being for people to turn on and use, but will eventually go into the machining extension once they go into full release.

Look out for the video being made which shows how these options can be used to create amazing multi-axis toolpaths! Here is a link to the Fusion 360 YouTube channel. 

[Garrett_Wade]

The addition of this is huge and I can't wait to use some of them. 

One question I did have was in regards to one seemingly missing. Referencing the link below it says "Currently, 5-axis capability with Collision Avoidance is available only for Steep and Shallow, Parallel, Scallop, Pencil, Spiral, Radial, Morphed Spiral, Project, and Morph." 

I've checked and I have this option now for all the tool paths listed above except Morph. Was Morph missed in the update or maybe not supposed to be in the documentation below?

ref link: https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=MFG-REF-3D-STEEP-SHALLOW-5X

[MaxWP2TT]

Awesome news! and a big step to making a more multi axis rich fusion 360, I will for sure try these toolpath options on my DMU 80 eVo, and feedback anything that may happen.

[dylan_smith]

Thank you both for the responses, I look forward to hearing of you once you've gave them a go. 

In regards to morph, we don't support it just yet. That document is wrong, thanks for pointing it out. 

[Garrett_Wade]

@dylan_smith  ok noted on morph.

will dive in on some of these other tool paths and report back.

[copumpkin]

Is collision avoidance for Flow coming as part of this bundle of functionality, or anytime soon if not?

[licensKKGSY]

This addition, really takes 5-axis manufacturing to a new level of "simplified" complexity. The automatic collision avoidance is just amazing.

Though technically a seperate feature, adding "Machine undercuts" from Steep and Shallow to these 3d-strategies as well, would make them truely capable as one-strategy solutions.

For instans having a head/head machine with limited c-axis range, will have to do rewinds al the time when moving along the contour-based path of steep and shallow (as is the case for machine undercuts). A Radial strategy with Machine undercuts though, would allow the B-axis to do the work and use the c-axis for radial "indexing". 

[craig.chester]

FYI: We are currently working on a similar solution for Morph, Flow and Blend.

[dylan_smith]

@licensKKGSY thanks for taking the time to give us feedback. I'm glad you're seeing the benefits of these great improvements. 

[bkg8YXDK]

Hi, it seems that it is the number of degrees chosen for rotation and not the model that determines the width of the grooves on this timing wheel Expecting a spiral will fix it (if not the stepover trumps the model ??), but a little dumb that the number of degrees trumps the model