Inventor to Flatbed CNC Workflow

[CameronCJHY4]

Hi, Im looking for some advice regarding a workflow from Inventor to CNC G-Code file.

Currently we create our designs (multi layered designs out of Plywood/MDF sheet stock) in AutoCad, save them, Import them into our CAM/Nesting software 'Enroute', apply the required toolpaths and then create our g-code (.nc) file to run on the cnc.

This works fine for the moment, until I need to make a change to a design, which then requires me to completely start the 'Enroute' process again, applying the toolpaths, exporting the .nc file, etc  This gets pretty tedious to do over and over until a design is perfected.

We are in the process of transitioning to Inventor for our design software and I was hoping to use Inventor CAM/Inventor Nesting to create our CNC files, as I figured being all intergrated software my designs would dynamicly update should I make minor changes.

However, upon looking into this package, I'm not entirely sure Inventor CAM is ideally designed for Flatbed CNC's. I fell like it is more so intended for multiaxis milling machines. Is this correct? Can Inventor, Inventor CAM and Inventor Nesting be my silver-bullet design to cnc solution.

It looks like Inventor Nesting still requires you to export your parts as a dwg before it can process them (negating the dynamicly updating aspect I was hoping for).

Sorry for the long winded post, just finding answers and navigating the Excessive mountain of AutoDesk softwares/packages difficult.

Thankyou

[kacper.suchomski]

Hi

Inventor CAM is best suited for programming 3-axis milling machines. It also has basic capabilities for 5 axes. And a reasonably good turning module.
And in this matter, it automates all changes and corrections at the parametric level (it will not automatically update if there is a truly new geometry).
The Nesting module, on the other hand, is not that much synchronized. It still automatically reads geometry and updates assembly level changes, but it takes some clicks and time.

[pcrawley]

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It looks like Inventor Nesting still requires you to export your parts as a dwg before it can process them (negating the dynamicly updating aspect I was hoping for).

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There is an option in Nesting that lets you export one multibody solid which includes all the parts and the "stock" (or packaging as they call it in nesting). 

So yes, you will have to export from nesting to go to Inventor CAM which breaks the dynamic update - but it adds a level of security too because someone inadvertently editing your model won't break the CAM profiles (and potentially crash the machine).  You can play the advantages of the dynamic link either way - but the multibody part is definately easier than DWG export/import (and it keeps all the data in the Inventor IPT format).