Changing out a STEP file in an ongoing manufacturing operation

[ebLARL2]

OK, so context first... Im programming a part to machine on my mill. A part I have in STEP format. A part that has been drawn in a different software. And to top it off, the STEP file (FileS) are saved as an assembly with the part in soft jaws, in a vice... An assembly drawn in another software.

So, when I decide that for whatever reason, I need to change out one of the step files for an updated one (Maybe we need to add a chamfer or radius or a better soft jaw... whatever), I simply can not... I must then create an entirely new manufacturing file and re select the surfaces and cutting paths and copy paste all of the setups and operations over from the older file.

I feel like I am burning an hour or two at a time to cure an issue easily and seamlessly done in other Softwares in minutes, by simply replacing the STEP file with a new one. 

Can anyone help?

[a.laasW8M6T]

Hi

you can do this using the anycad workflow

https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=ASM-INSERT-ANYCAD 

You need to upload the  STEP file first in the web browser or use desktop conncector.

I prefer to use the web browser:

Then you can insert the STEP file(mine is a solidworks file in the image), into your document and it will maintain the link to the original file.

To update the STEP file you go to the web browser and re upload the STEP file.

now the document will show the linked file is out of date and you can update it without losing all the toolpath data etc

[Christoph_360]

Hello

I was also struggling with this problem recently until I found the solution with AnyCad.

Here I have made a sample video.

Mfg

Christoph

[ebLARL2]

great replies guys thanks... but when i update the step file... I still need to spend an hour re selecting surfaces and edges to make cut paths. so its still just the same as opening a new file and copy pasting over the old operations. or maybe im an idiot?

[a.laasW8M6T]

It should work out reasonably well, when I do it you normally have to just regenerate most of the toolpaths, but some will be broken due to the geometry no longer existing or some reference for the height has been changed etc.

as long as you aren't making significant changes to the file there should be no problems

I am doing this with solidworks files though, but in theory step files should work the same

[Christoph_360]

Hello

With the help of this video I learned a lot about AnyCad.

https://youtu.be/DnY0QLHsQiM

Mfg

Christoph