More Intuitive Cam

[Anonymous]

We need cam simplified.

Autodesk needs to push cam towards a say "Auto Cam" environment

where you upload your model, select the machine you will be using 

and the software generates a list of tooling you can choose from 

from either your personal library or a shopping cart. 

after choosing your tools it automatically generates path lines based on your machine definition.

Doing this will eliminate the need for determining how the work piece will be done 

and also give quicker quotes to customers.

Thank you,

Eric

[miechh]

Wow, more intuitive? I think Autodesk already did a great job in this. I still think it's a very daunting task to be able to do what you're wishing.

[SolubleSpork]

I agree with @miechh.  While that concept would be very neat, I think it would be very difficult to develop an algorithm that can determine how you should machine something.  Personal preferences come in to play, but fixturing for multiple machines or setups alone would allow for near endless possibilities.  One thing that might be of use to you however, if you don't already know about it, is creating a CAM template.  Many parts I have worked on have a very similar, what I will call, CAM methodology.  Creating a template that covers the basic operations I would do for most of my parts cuts down on the programming time quite a lot.  The popular YouTube channel NYCCNC uses this method and have countless videos demonstrating its use.

An example of this is that I know for most of my parts that I will have to face off a top surface, rough out material, finish profiles, finish pockets, drill holes, tap holes, chamfer, and deburr.  Having a CAM template with all of these operations already incorporated means that I only have to select a few things of geometry or change a couple tools and the path is pretty much set.  If I don't have any holes or I don't need to deck a top surface, then those portions can be deleted.  Future set-ups can utilize another instance of this CAM template and for 99% of my parts, this works great.  On the odd occasion that I need a special tool path for non-prismatic parts, I can devote the time to utilizing the basic CAM workflow.

Setting up the templates (you can have several types for several reasons) can take a while.  But this allows you to control what you would like to have done in the way that you would like it done.  The "Auto CAM" idea you have would probably also need a very extensive list of your preferences and parameters before it can do the same so setting up a template really is worth the time it takes.  If you are interested in this idea a bit more, I can try to find specific videos demonstrating it more, but I don't think its hard to find, and I believe the gentlemen over at the NYCCNC youtube channel are even on here if you wanted to reach out to them.