Workflow in Cam

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I am still new to Fusion and have a question about my workflow in CAM, I think I am doing something a little funny. I want to pattern a toolpath but also see my stock so I don't run off of it. I also need to rotate toolpaths for best usage.

We use foam layers 3" thick to create housing for parts. We use an oscillating blade to cut cavites that go through the foam, and then use milling tools to set the final depths.

I created my foam model (12" tall) and split it into 3" layers.

I then moved into the CAM workspace. A lot of our jobs are high quantity, so I need to be able to pattern the layers across our stock.

I created the tool paths for the first layer and patterned it, but I can't seem to figure out how to view my stock while in the pattern creation, or even see how the pattern lays in my stock while exiting. I also cant see how I could rotate parts/toolpaths to fit on stock - sometimes, for best usage, parts should be layed alternating (like if I were cutting triangles). Should this layout be done in the Model environment?

I attached two screenshots and the .f3d file showing what I mean - when I select the pattern, I can see the toolpaths extended like I wanted. When I select setup, I can see my stock. But I can't seem to get them both to display at the same time. I need to make sure I have the pattern setup so it uses as much of my stock as possible.

Also, what if I need to rotate a toolpath to fit on the stock?

I guess I'm just new and confused. I hope you guys can unerstand what I mean. Thanks!

[kb9ydn · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hello all,

I am still new to Fusion and have a question about my workflow in CAM, I think I am doing something a little funny. I want to pattern a toolpath but also see my stock so I don't run off of it. I also need to rotate toolpaths for best usage.

We use foam layers 3" thick to create housing for parts. We use an oscillating blade to cut cavites that go through the foam, and then use milling tools to set the final depths.

I created my foam model (12" tall) and split it into 3" layers.

I then moved into the CAM workspace. A lot of our jobs are high quantity, so I need to be able to pattern the layers across our stock.

I created the tool paths for the first layer and patterned it, but I can't seem to figure out how to view my stock while in the pattern creation, or even see how the pattern lays in my stock while exiting. I also cant see how I could rotate parts/toolpaths to fit on stock - sometimes, for best usage, parts should be layed alternating (like if I were cutting triangles). Should this layout be done in the Model environment?

I attached two screenshots and the .f3d file showing what I mean - when I select the pattern, I can see the toolpaths extended like I wanted. When I select setup, I can see my stock. But I can't seem to get them both to display at the same time. I need to make sure I have the pattern setup so it uses as much of my stock as possible.

Also, what if I need to rotate a toolpath to fit on the stock?

I guess I'm just new and confused. I hope you guys can unerstand what I mean. Thanks!

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For more complex patterning operations it's easier to do all the patterning on the CAD side and then use component patterns for patterning the CAM operations.  You can create a model of the stock you intend to use and then assign it the appearance of glass to make it transparent.  Then you can arrange your parts within the stock as you need to.  Now when you go to the CAM side and setup your tool paths you can see the parts, the stock, and the toolpaths all at the same time.

Also by patterning everything on the CAD side first it allows the CAM setup to see all of the parts so that it can create the appropriate stock size if you don't want to create a model explicitely.  Although you don't have as much control over stock visibility this way.

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[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info!

So, I was looking at creating a part in CAD, them moving it to CAM to pattern so I can base the drawing on the CAD model, therefore keeping my model and CAM files in one save file.

But it seems like for one part I would need two save files - one with the model for the drawing, and one to pattern the cut files? Is that right?

I guess I can create a full model in the CAM side, then copy it, slice the copy into foam layers and layout the parts in the stock. Then base the drawing on the full model and hide the model for the CAM. but now I have two models floating around - one for the drawing and one for the CAM.

I will get it somehow, I think. Thanks!

[kb9ydn]

In practice I find that having separate files for part design and machining works out better than trying to keep everything in one file.  You can of course do everything in one file and then hide/show things based on what you want to work on but it really clutters things up.  In the machining file you can insert your parts as externally linked (to your design file) so that they will update whenever you update the design files.

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