Make CAM Stock Usable for the NEXT SETUP!!

[Anonymous]

When doing multiple machining operations, why cant we make use of previous saved stock in the actual setup for the new operation?

At the end of my simulation, I right click and save stock as...   only to be able to use it in the next simulation by right clicking and loading stock as...

The data is already there, can we make it a option to import that saved stock as the solid from which to base the new/next operation/setup on?

Having to redefine stock dimensions and model placement inside a block that has already had material shaved off gets frustrating.  

[cj.abraham]

This feature has been requested in the HSM products as well. Totally valid request.

Also, I also want to point out that you can simulate multiple setups. control select multiple setup folders and then they will simulate consecutively, giving you the stock progress over multiple setups.

[bmxjeff]

Yeah, this needs to be done. I mean, you can save stock for visual purposes, but not to help calculate what material is left. Fusion can't load big STL files, and that is the hand up. That needs to be fixed. It's not a CAM issue, it's a Fusion one. I hope a solution is found!  

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

Well it's also a CAM issue.

This should be high on the priority list if you aks me.

[mpmalito]

Yes!  This seems like a no-brainer and should be a top priority for the development team.  Someone has already made a youtube video on a VERY CLUNKY way of saving the stock model and importing it back into the next setup.

Doing all this is a major headache:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncQKJXemOks

[Anonymous]

Isnt there the toggle for "continue from previous job" in the job setup? I thought that looked back at the previous jobs for rest purposes?

[Marco.Takx]

Within Inventor HSM 2018 it's now possible to use STL files.

Save the stock within the simulation environment and, import it.

In the new setup use it as from Solid. 

It's not associative but it's at least something 😉

[al.whatmough]

We are and have been evaluating the technical requirements to properly complete this.  Please keep the discussion going here.

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

@al.whatmough

Do you mean simulating or using stock from previous jobs/setups?

[al.whatmough]

Using the simulated stock as the input for the next setup.

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

@al.whatmough.

Alright.

Because I think the current  continue form previous setup should just work for turning and milling setups and operations for all products.

And the simulation of the stock an current level should be a seperate thing.

[daniel_lyall]

@al.whatmough You use to be able do it so it could be used as the stock in the setup and used as an object to make a jig if converted to a solid, it made it so simple to make a jig to hold the part for the second op it was not funny, one of the last updates killed this from being useable. 

it would be super useful to have all of this working as it makes it quite simple to make a big jig to hold stuff on routers 

[mwhitten123]

Please add this functionality soon. We have had several requests for this option.

Thank you,

[bmxjeff]

I do this about everyday, ... but's it takes a few steps and Fusion has some bugs along the way. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/udgmwusbovot0n2/Screen%20Capture%20Tool%20Pro_2018-03-13%2015.58.17.mov?dl...

[mwhitten123]

Hello bmxjeff,

Your video is much appreciated, but I believe that this method only works for Fusion 360. I don't believe that a Mesh can be selected for stock in HSMWorks or Inventor HSM.

Thank you,

[bmxjeff]

Oh wow! Fusion is ahead in something.. kind of. : ) I have no idea how I'm on this forum.  I just saw an email come thru and ran with it. I hope this option gets added to HSM soon. seems like they must have it ready to go if it's working in Fusion. 

[Steinwerks]

@mwhitten123 You can load a stock STL via a dialogue, at least in HSMWorks (SolidWorks). However the Continue Machining from Previous Setup box in the Job configuration also works, which is nice.

[mwhitten123]

@Steinwerks Yes, I believe that you are referring to the dialog that pops up via right click within solid simulation. This is handy, but it would be nice to simply select the STL for stock. This is common in other CAM systems, also other systems use different types of WIP/stock models as well. This way is stays associative as updates are made upstream. I will look at the "Continue Machining" option again, the last time I looked, it didn't actually load stock, it just enabled Rest machining between ops.

Thank you,

[Steinwerks]

@mwhitten123

You're correct in that it does not load stock, but it does look at the STL generated in the backgroud from the previous job. Simulation of course is not correct if done independently.

I did vote for this idea, because it needs to be improved on all platforms.

[mwhitten123]

@Steinwerks

The CAM package in general is very good, but better stock management would really help make it even better.

Have a great day

Thanks

[kylematthew159]

Stock and simulation management is the only thing the developers should be working on. I have an older friend who was using hsmworks back in 2012, saw what I was doing in school and said the simulation hasn't changed since then... The stock and simulation management is completely garbage and his company says because of that they will never be able to use the software for their parts. I feel like you guys are missing a lot of sales because of just this one feature. He should me how Siemens NX ( the software his manufacturing company uses ) handles stock a simulations and granted, I know the software is very high end and much much much more expensive that HSM but still, in 6 or 7 years of development, you would think some more advances would have been made. 

This is of course just my opinion.