Fusion 360 DXF not working with flowXpert waterjet CAM

[betztechnik]

Hello,

 First post here. I have noticed that people occasionally have issues working with DXF files I send them from Fusion. My latest issue is when trying to have some parts cut on a [flowjet] waterjet.

Here is the design, I create copies of the main parts for CAM purposes. Then create a sketch of them and export as DXF.

The sketch I output as DXF, I use the project function to get the part outlines.

I have attched the DXF as output from Fusion ("1set").

Here is the DXF open in CAMBAM, I change nothing, and then output in DXF. The file I output works in all cases where the person I am sending the file to cannot open the Fusion DXF.

I have also attached the DXF as output from CAMBAM ("1set CAMBAM"). Like I said, I change nothing, just open and export as DXF in CAMBAM and it works with FlowXpert. I think the waterjet operator said they can see the lines but can't select them or move them etc. Maybe your CAM people have flowXpert to try the files out on?

Thanks!

Peter Betz

Betz Technik Industries Ltd.

[paul.clauss · Accepted solution]

Hi @betztechnik

Thanks for posting! I have seen some issues with DXF files exported from Fusion 360 cannot be opened by other programs.

This problem is likely caused by the lack of DXF export options in Fusion 360. Fusion creates R14 DXF files by default. While some applications can open R14 DXF files with no problems, others can not. It appears that, in your case, CAMBAM is capable of opening an R14 DXF while the FlowXpert software cannot. I am unsure of what type of DXF CAMBAM and FlowXpert use by default, but it seems that CAMBAM will work as an intermediary step. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention!

One way to tell if DXF files are not being output in the same format is to open them with a text editor like Notepad. The specific DXF filetype is shown in the first few lines of the text file. For your Fusion 360 file, we see the code below:

$ACADVER
1
AC1014
9

Which shows that the Fusion file is a DXF file in the specific AC1014 format (which I believe correlates to the R14 type, as expected). For the DXF from CAMBAM we see the code below:

$ACADVER
  1
AC1009
  9

Which I believe means that CAMBAM is exporting a R12 version DXF file. 

I am unsure of what types of DXF files are supported by FlowXpert, but it appears that the R12 version is working and the R14 version (directly from Fusion) is not. My usual workaround for this behavior is to use the DXF export options in AutoCAD to experiment with different types until I find one that works with the 3rd party software - exactly as you have done with CAMBAM as an intermediary program.

With respect to the inability to move the lines in FlowXpert, I would recommend contacting their support team to look into that behavior. When I opened both of your files in both Fusion and AutoCAD I was able to move any line without difficulties - this may be a limitation of the FlowXpert software or of the R12 DXF files in FlowXpert.

You may be able to avoid this limitation by programming the machine using Cutting operations in the CAM workspace of Fusion 360 (you can also learn more here). You may be able to post code for your machine with the Generic Flow Waterjet post (this will require your machine can read .ORD files). You may also be able to use the generic DXF post to send DXF files right to the machine - I noticed the post creates a AC1006 version DXF. While I am unsure of what specific type this is, it may be worth checking if it works on your machine to avoid the intermediary conversion step.

You can install posts to your cloud library using this procedure.

Hopefully this helps! Please let me know if you have any questions.

[betztechnik]

Thank you for the detailed response. All of it was helpful especially pointing out that there was a flow post processor. I didn't know there were any other than the ones available in F360 by default. The machine shop I am dealing with in town is happy to let me generate the toolpaths for their 5 axis flowjet so that should be fun!!