Press brakes CAM

[bryan5]

First off I want to thank you for the growing efforts and capabilities of Fusion 360 to merger all the aspects of manufacturing into an affordable CAD/CAM/CAE software.

The sheet metal portion of Fusion 360 is growing. You can design and flatten your sheet metal part, post it for 2D waterjet/laser/ plasma cutting in the manufacture module, and soon to all nest your designs.

To me the next step is to have a press brake CAM. Where you can select combination of punches and dies and simulate to prove the bend sequence of your design. I think this would be a great way to also add more intelligence to the sheet metal part to create an accurate flat pattern. This flat pattern could then be used to nest and create a post for waterjet/laser/plasma cutter.

Is there any chance something like this in development for Fusion 360? I could see this as a manufacturing extension of Fusion 360. If anyone at development at Fusion 360 thinks this is something they would like to explore and get some real world feedback please contact me.

Thank you for your time

Bryan Lagrange

[Anonymous]

This along with wire EDM capability would be fantastic.

[bryan5]

I was thinking aslo the guys with CNC punches would also like Fusion 360 CAM.

[alexrose4088]

Why can't you setup Fusion to cut a part as if your wire EDM was a laser cutter? Just put in the correct kerf and you are off to the races.

[alexrose4088]

Having some ability to generate g-code for a CNC Press Brake would be really great.  I do appreciate the complexity of inputting the finger geometry, stop geometry, etc. 

For a little inspiration on the UI and overall workflow, please see- https://youtu.be/rAWryQ0HBfg?t=129

[PurchasingQHJMF]

This would be incredible!!!
May as well just add the feature to the nesting & fabrication extension.

[PurchasingQHJMF]

In case you just need a start on building the machine, the following link
shows a guy doing it in a very manual process.
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/learn-explore/caas/simplecontent/content/avoiding-...

[bryan5]

I was checking to see if the Fusion team has given consideration for a press brake module for a future extension? Could we see it on a roadmap for Fusion development?

[seth.madore]

Much like the "Punches" question, there aren't any realistic plans that I'm aware of for press brakes.

[PurchasingQHJMF]

Thanks for letting us know,

I’m just worried about the sheet metal portion of F360, in my opinion, the
free version of PTC Onshape offers more value in the sheet metal

portion than F360 does, even with the Manufacture Extension included,

I just discovered this over the weekend, a friend of mine needed a way to
get personal sheet metal components modelled, and unfolded to export flat
patterns free of charge if possible,

The free version of F360 doesn’t have that functionality anymore does it?
So I had to look further than what used to be my “go to” referral 3D
Modelling software,

Onshape Free, on the other hand, not only HAS the functionality to export
flat patterns, but also comes with more functions and flexibility!

It is possible to filter the flat pattern to be 1.clean 2. With
bendlines 3.with bendlines & extents,

And then there’s the actual modelling workspace, which also has way more
variety of tools to choose from to get a component modelled,

But as far as I know, Onshape doesn’t (yet) offer CAM, if you could match
the flexibility of Onshape sheet metal, and also add press brake
simulation,

It would let you “leap frog” Onshape again, thanks!

[dlotti23]

Quite interesting but I suppose it is hard question. There are lot of actual vendors of press brake bending software and it is hard also to make the competition

[bryan5]

There is also a lot of vendors with milling, lathe, and 2D cutting software but Fusion has it. Why not press brake??

[joel8P35R]

Does anyone know if this has come to fruition?

[joel8P35R]

Any updates on this?

[seth.madore]

No, there is nothing in development (that I'm aware of) for press brakes or punch presses.

[bryan5]

Thanks for answering Seth,

Just wondering why Fusion 360 would not consider press brake CAM as another area of functionality to add?

Fusion has the ability to model sheet metal parts, it has the ability to nest and process sheet metal parts for 2D cutting (laser, water jet, plasma), the next manufacturing step in sheet metal manufacturing is bending. 

With press brake CAM you could add more intelligence into the the sheet metal design by inserting the correct bending numbers (radius, k factor) to get the most accurate flat pattern. Designers could have the ability to see if their part is or is not manufacturable and make design changes before it is sent out to production. The bend sequence and setup of punch and die combination to be used  would be noted in an operating procedure sheet or an NC program which would speed up the bending process on the shop floor and allow shop supervisors to use less experienced workers to bend parts without the need of the experienced press brake operator to setup the entire process. 

Thank you for your time.

[bryan5]

Could Autodesk/Fusion 360 poll the sheet metal users to see if a press brake CAM extension would be a useful tool to have added to Fusion 360 to gage interest?  

[wilsontoolr-d2]

If the Fusion Team would like help with bend sequencing and tooling selection please feel free to contact us at Wilson Tool.

[bryan5]

If Wilson is willing to get involved, this would be a big step for Press brake CAM! This would be a big help to the Autodesk/Fusion Team.  @andrea.amilo @CGBenner  what do you think?

[Anonymous]

Give me a call and let see what we can come up with.