Thanks guys, will have a look at it.
That might be a good idea, since I am only starting to use it, my guide might contain errors you senior guys could correct before embedding it in the faq
Thanks guys, will have a look at it.
That might be a good idea, since I am only starting to use it, my guide might contain errors you senior guys could correct before embedding it in the faq
A super basic walkthrough would be great. I have not used it in so long I would not even know where to start.
ok, so I haven´t found time to do anything for this yet. So let me write it here first so the seniors can correct it.
I have laminated some wood beams, obviously they are not flat and it´s much too wide for a planer. So I want to use the LR3 for planning / facing the wood. I suspect one could use this tutorial also for planning the LR3 table so you have a flat surface.
The Facing operation:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 10
Step 11
Step 12
Step 13
note: some users mention that a simulation is a wise idea to avoid issues during the milling job. So you want to do this before creating the Gcode. To simulate, right click your tool path and select “simulate”, after which you can just push the play button and check it out from all angles.
Step 14
Step 15
Let me know if it contains errors (and if someone wants to add it to the FAQ, go ahead!)
This is a great writeup. I find no issues, and you include some things that I learned the hard way. For example, creating the model with Z up and X and Y matching how I want to mount my stock on my CNC.
There are two things you should consider adding. First, providing a link to the FlyFisher post processor might be helpful. Just something like, “If your machine is running Marlin, the recommended post processor can be found here.”
Second, I’d add an optional but highly recommended step of simulating the job. Given how often I have problems (and the overall complexity of Fusion 360 CAM), I’d never postprocess before I’ve simulated the job.
As a side note for you to consider, the facing tool path is the only one that benefits by setting up the stock to be thicker than the model, and thicker stock can cause problems with other tool paths. Typically, I setup the stock as Relative Sized Box with No Additional Stock. Personally, to keep everything standardized, I even do this for facing operations.
Hi Robert, thank you for your kind words.
I’m going to copy/paste your feedback on the processor! You’re totally right.
Reason I did not add simulations is that I am not sure if a facing operation would benefit from it. After you have set up the path, it is shown by fusion too (in the example it is green with blue path). I do get that if you would add for instance clamps/screws to hold your stock, it could be useful to check it out. But I am not sure how one can add this (I am sure it can be done though).
Thank you for the suggestion on stock thickness. I will make a note when I manage to write another simple guide for ie a carving operation.
Looks pretty good to me, it even gives a starting point for those who never use Fusion CAM (me). I will tag this so it is easier to find.
you´re welcome.
Fusion Cam seems to be difficult learning curve but in reality it´s easier than you think.
Will add some more when I come to it:)
I would think so. There are many settings on the tabs you skipped which may or may not be changed inadvertently by a user following your guide. Some of them could create issues (mostly trivial) that would be identified in the simulation. For facing paths, the simulator generates and runs quickly, so there isn’t any real burden.
For the feeds and speeds, I would definitely suggest making these match your expectations for the mill/material. I suspect that your presumption is the user will have defined these with the tool setup. I’m sure you know - but new users may not - that these can (and should) be defined as profiles within the tool definition. One might have a profile for pocketing and another for adaptive or contour. I could even support one for pocketing in a harder wood like hickory and another for pocketing in pine or HDPE. These are selectable from the “Preset” dropdown, and are HUGE benefit of the Fusion tool manager vs some of the other programs I’m investigating right now.
Fusion uses the RPM, flute count, and Chipload or Feedrate to calculate the feed (change either of the latter two and the other will update). These are REALLY helpful when working up recipes and learning. Leaving them to the Fusion defaults will likely be radically wrong for our machines.
The bottom five feed rates for linking moves are generally VERY conservative for the materials we cut, and there is a TON of time to be saved by tweaking those up.
I realize that some (most?) of this might be beyond the scope of a quick-start guide, just something to keep in mind as you write it so you don’t have contradictions later as you flesh out some of the detail.
All that said, I’ve been working in fusion since before I found the MPCNC (maybe 5 years now? 6?). It’s very complex and incredibly powerful…and just as intimidating. I appreciate you taking the time to get this started, and fully understand just how difficult it is to cut out the unnecessary stuff to get the new users going. Thanks for this.
Hi Tony,
I understand your reasoning on the simulation part. I’ll update or add a new section to it. Thanks!
You are completely right on the power Fusion has by being able to setup multiple settings on one tool. At first, I was going to make multiple libraries per stock type as I did on Estlcam, but then I noticed this powerful option. Love it. What I love even more is that I can store it in the cloud!
I’ll also update it to mention something on the speed and feeds. I planned to write something short on how to set up such cloud library (but time is an issue for me doing 2 jobs and being a father of a young girl that hates sleeping )
For a more precise setting per stock type I will probably point to @azab2c ‘s great documentation.
I’ve seen the FX option on speeds & feeds, but am not skilled enough to talk about that. I’ve seen they are all linked but have difficulty to adapt as I don’t have a cloud on my rpm’s for example
Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate it. It will help to improve the tutorial! F360 looks difficult but the more time spent on it the more I love it.
Same boat, my friend, same boat. My kids are old enough to sleep when they need to, but I’ve replaced all that with chickens and goats that somehow need attention ALL the time.
If it helps, I can make an effort to document anything that is a little more in depth or obscure where it’s helpful and complementary to your work. Feel free to shoot questions or ideas my way
This is perfect timing for me as I’ve just started looking at the F360 CAM capabilities and processes, so thank you for taking to the time to create something that will help me and others get up and running faster.
I too am looking at the Fusion360 CAM capabilities. In my case though it is further complicated because I am running RepRap Firmware for my builds. It is mostly the same as Marlin. I use the Marlin processor for Estlcam, which throws an error (but causes no actual problems) for the spindle speed setting, but otherwise, I get results as expected.
Why would you do that? If I think about goats I fear that you´ll need to spend a lot of time with them (food, water, housing, milk…)?
you´re welcome! If you find some insights feel free to share them, we can all learn something new!
I went back to Marlin for the moment, instead of RRF, as I want to do some jobs that need to be right. It´s already complex enough But in the FlyFisher PostProcessor there´s also the option to export to either Marlin or RRF (and GRBL). So you could just give it a try with a simple test?
ok, short guide on how to set up a cloud tool library!
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 10
Step 11
note: no need to add “shaft” or “holder” data as our machines do not support this.
More difficult for me, my control boards are Duets. I have hogh confidence in it being correct movement, at least. Spindle control is manual though.
right, I forgot! I do believe that when exporting it to RRF using Flyfisher everything will work out fine as you already mention.
On a non CAM related note - is there a need to think about how to hold down the warped piece so it doesn’t move? Or is that something that’s understood?
I am not sure I fully understand the question.
Are you saying you have (for example) some warped mdf, that doesn’t sit flush to the table?
And that you are willing to flatten?
If so, I am currently doing a job where I cut multiple pieces of wood I had laying around into small but long pieces, I glued and clamped it down to get a “flat” piece of wood. Obviously it warped.
I screw it down to the table so it sits more or less flat to the table (read: stable so it doesn’t move). I surface one side and afterwards the other side, if needed I do this in multiple jobs. The result is a flat piece.
Obviously your question is how to hold it down, my wood is larger than what my end result will be. So I screw it down on the outer sides, mill in between, and cut away the excess material. An alternative would be to mill an area, pause the job, reset the screw location and continue the process. But there the downside is that if it isn’t clamped exactly there might be a small difference when resuming.
Hope that answers your question
I think we are saying the same thing, I just want to make it clear to those who haven’t done this:-
The important thing if you want to flatten a warped board is to make sure you aren’t putting any stress when you are screwing it to the table, ie use wedges or packers under the high spots to keep the board stable, DON’T screw it tight down, or once you unscrew it will spring back and your nice flat side will suddenly have developed a warp.
Yes, sorry, I’m not native English so wasn’t fully sure if I understood correctly.
Happy to hear we aligned
I actually have pictures of what I posted, will see if I can upload them tmrw as an example.