Simplify CAM with Fusion 360

Graham Goodier
Technical Consultant
@goodier.cam | www.linkedin.com/in/graham-goodier

© 2018 Autodesk, Inc.

AGENDA
▪ How is a Part Programmed?
▪ Fusion 360 Workflow
▪ Fusion 360 Strategies
▪ Machining Parameters
▪ Software Demo
▪ Machining Configuration
▪ Q&A
How is a Part Programmed?
HOW IS A PART PROGRAMMED?
▪ A CAD model is produced, depicting the part to be cut

▪ Stock material is determined from the part size

▪ A Setup (Work Co-ordinate System) is determined that the

machine tool uses as positional reference

▪ Tools & Machining Parameters appropriate for the job are

selected

▪ Toolpaths are created based on the features of the part, taking

into account the stock material

▪ Simulation of toolpath helps avoid gouges/collisions

▪ NC Code is output using a post processor

▪ NC Code is input into the machine controller and the part is cut
on the machine tool
Fusion 360 Workflow
Create/Open CAD Define Job Define Simulate
NC Code
Data Setup Operations Toolpath
Create/Open Define Job Define Simulate
NC Code
CAD Data Setup Operations Toolpath
 Facing Roughing Finishing

Drilling Chamfering

Create/Open Define Job Define Simulate

NC Code
CAD Data Setup Operations Toolpath
Create/Open Define Job Define Simulate
NC Code
CAD Data Setup Operations Toolpath
Simulation
▪ Before posting, simulate to check for
gouges/collisions – which are shown in red

▪ If no vice/fixture model is present in the

software, look out for potential collisions as a
result of:
▪ Machining the clamped sides
▪ Below the bottom of the stock
▪ Lead-ins/lead-outs

▪ Check the lead-in/ramp, along with rapid

heights

▪ Simulation helps avoid collisions with the

machine turret as well as the tool itself
Create/Open Define Job Define Simulate
NC Code
CAD Data Setup Operations Toolpath
Types of code Examples of NC Code

N## - Line number G00 – Rapid Move from one cutting

G## - Motion area to another
X## - Horizontal position G01 - linear cut from current position to
Y## - Vertical position programmed X, Y, Z
Z## - Depth G20 – Program in mm
F## - Feed rate G21 – Program in inches
S## - Spindle speed G53 – Machine co-ordinate system
T## - Tool selection M00 – Program Stop
M## - Miscellaneous functions M02 – End of Program
I## / J## - Incremental arc center M06 – Tool Change
R## - Radius of an arc M08 – Coolant on (Flood)

NC Code
Fusion 360 Setup and Strategies
Setup & Stock
▪ A setup tells Fusion 360 what type of
toolpaths to create (i.e. Milling, Turning)
▪ In which the Work Coordinate System
(WCS) is defined

▪ Tools descend in Z when approaching the

part, therefore the WCS’ Z axis must be
parallel to the tool’s Z axis travel

▪ More than one setup can be created to

machine other faces if the machine is
capable of doing so

▪ Fusion determines the size of your raw stock

using the part dimensions, or a specific sized
stock can be dictated
CAM Properties

Geometry
Properties

Tool
Properties Passes
Properties Linking
Heights
Properties Properties
Boundary Selection
▪ Strategies can use machining boundaries
based on points, contours and surfaces as
reference in their programming

▪ Double clicking a contour allows you to edit

the boundary – selecting whether it’s open
or closed

▪ Clicking arrows switches the direction of

the machining side of the boundary

▪ Multiple boundaries can be selected in the

same strategy – even at different Z levels
for 2D operations
Heights
▪ Allocate the height of each tool move:
▪ Clearance - first height the tool
rapids to on its way to the start of the
tool path
▪ Feed – sets height that the tool
rapids to before changing to the
feed/plunge rate to enter the part
▪ Retract - height that the tool moves
up to before the next cutting pass
▪ Top - sets maximum cutting height
▪ Bottom - sets minimum cutting
height
Rest Machining
▪ Rest machining is used when a larger tool
access can’t access certain areas
because it's too big

▪ A smaller tool can then be specified to

perform rest machining to clear the
remaining materials

▪ The process instructs the tool to only cut

the parts that couldn't be reached with X
size of tool

▪ Opened with a tick box

▪ Specify tool diameter and corner
radius
2D Strategies
2D Strategies

2D Adaptive clearance Facing 2D Pocket

▪ A roughing operation ▪ Removes stock quickly ▪ A roughing and finishing

using a toolpath that from the top surface of the operation - clears a cavity,
"flows" part open pocket or the area
around a boss
▪ You can clear a cavity, ▪ Generally prepares the
open pocket or the area part for further machining ▪ The toolpath resembles the
around a boss. - used for clearing flat shape of the boundary
areas being machined
2D Strategies

2D Contour Drilling & Hole Making

▪ Machines open/closed ▪ Drilling is a common ▪ All operations are optimized

profiles with corner machining task for to minimize tool travel and
smoothing creating holes in the work cycle time
piece
▪ Typically a finishing ▪ All cycles are supported,
operation – can use ▪ Cycle types can be including spot-drilling, deep
multiple cuts selected within the drilling with chip break, etc.
operation itself
Circular Strategies

▪ The Bore operation lets ▪ The Circular strategy is ▪ The Thread operation is
you to bore mill cylindrical used for milling cylindrical used for thread milling
pockets and islands by pockets and islands cylindrical pockets and
selecting the cylindrical islands
geometry directly
2D Strategies

Engrave Trace

▪ Engrave machines along ▪ Allows you to machine

the contours with a 2D/3D Edge contours
chamfer tool defined in the sketch

▪ Typically a finishing ▪ Single line engraving can

operation – can use be used for scroll work or
multiple cuts text
 All 2D Strategies

2D 2D Engrave
Contour Thread/Bore
Pocket 2D Adaptive Trace Circular
Slot

Drilling
3D Strategies
3D Strategies

3D Adaptive Clearing 3D Pocket Horizontal Clearing

▪ Roughing strategy that ▪ Conventional roughing ▪ Roughing/semi-finish/finishi

avoids full-width cuts by strategy for clearing large ng operation
progressively shaving quantities of material
material off the stock ▪ Automatically detects all the
▪ The part is cleared layer by flat areas of the part and
▪ Cutting conditions remain layer with smooth offset clears them with an
constant with a stable load contours maintaining climb offsetting path and
on the tool milling machines in stages
3D Strategies

Parallel 3D Contour Ramp

▪ One of the most widely ▪ Creates toolpaths with ▪ Intended for steep areas
used finishing strategies – constant Z along contours
best suited for shallow of a part dependent on ▪ Ramps down walls rather
areas and down milling slope angle than machines with a
constant Z
▪ Passes are parallel in the ▪ Suited for finishing steep
XY plane, follows the walls - can be used for ▪ Ensures that the tool is
surface in the Z direction semi-finish / finishing engaged at all times
3D Strategies

Spiral Morphed Spiral Scallop/Constant Stepover

▪ Creates a spiral toolpath ▪ Generates a spiral from a ▪ Creates passes for

from a given center point - selected boundary for sloping/vertical walls at a
machines within a given additional surfaces for constant stepover from
boundary which Spiral isn’t suitable each other by offsetting
inwardly
▪ Ideally suited for round ▪ Useful when machining
shallow parts using tool free-form/organic surfaces ▪ Commonly used in rest
contact angles up to 40o machining
3D Strategies

Pencil Radial

▪ Creates toolpaths along ▪ Starts from center point,

internal corners/fillets, provides the ability to
removes material that machine radial parts
other tools can’t reach
▪ Gives the option to stop
▪ Suited for ‘cleaning up’ short of the center of the
after other finishing radial passes, where they
strategies become very dense
 All 3D Strategies
Morphed
Parall Morp Spiral
h Horizontal
el Flo Contour/Ramp
w Spiral
Scallop
Radial
Pencil

Project
Tool Library
▪ Tools are selected in the tool library

▪ Default tools can be chosen from the tool

library or custom tools can be created

▪ Each type of tool can be selected and

each element of a tool defined

▪ Default and custom tool holders are also

available for selection

▪ Feeds and speeds associated with a tool

and a tool’s position in the magazine can
also be defined
▪ Presets for material cutting data can
be applied for quick selection
Machining Parameters
Step-down & Step-over
▪ Step-down – the distance between each depth of cut
in Z
▪ Stepdown not always performed in constant Z
▪ Too large a stepdown can increase tool wear Step
Down

▪ Should not surpass flute length Narrow Step-down

▪ Step-over - the distance between each machining

pass at a constant Z height
▪ Different strategies are available: Parallel, Spiral,
Stepover
etc Distance

▪ Can produce cusping if too large a step-over is

chosen Cusp
Height
▪ Should not be more than tool diameter
Wide Step-over
 Feed Rate
Feeds and Speeds
Spindle
Feed Rate - the speed the tool travels
Speed
▪ Measured in distance per time unit – such
as mm/min

Spindle Speed - the speed at which the tool

turns
▪ Measured in revolutions per time unit such
as rpm

▪ Tables of data specific to a tool can be used

as a guide

▪ Getting the feeds and speeds right is crucial, if

they are wrong serious damage can be
caused
Feeds and Speeds
▪ For the best surface finish we run a
moderate feed rate and high spindle speed

▪ For the best material removal rate we run a

fast feed rate and a high spindle speed

▪ Too high a feed rate with a high chip load

can lead to the tool breaking

▪ Too high a spindle speed and the tool

overheats, which blunts the tool and can
even melt the material
Climb vs Conventional Milling
▪ Climb Milling - flutes engage the
material at maximum thickness and then
decreases to zero
▪ Unless recommended by
manufacturers, always use climb
milling
▪ Climb milling produces less cutting
pressure and heat, leaves a better
surface finish

▪ Conventional Milling - causes the tool

to scoop up the material, from zero to
maximum
▪ Often used on manual machines
▪ Generates heat, increases wear,
produces a poorer surface finish
CAM IN FUSION
360 DEMO
Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine
Configuration
Setting up the Machine
▪ The fixture needs to be clamped securely
to the machine bed – above the maximum
machine limit

▪ The stock axis/clamp must be parallel to

the machine bed

▪ Each tool must be measured and the

respective lengths added to the controller

▪ Each tool must be safely secured in the tool

holder

▪ The user co-ordinate system must be

configured to establish the location of the
setup
 Tool
Holder
Tool
Gantry

Z+

Y+
X+
WCS Machine Bed
 Tools must be
The part must fit within safely secured in Each tool must be
the machine build space the tool holder measured and the
respective lengths
added to the
controller

Z+

Y+
X+
The Stock axis must
be parallel to the The user co-ordinate system must be configured
machine axes to establish the location of the setup
Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine
▪ Setup parts quickly with Automatic Stock
Location
▪ Quickly produce prototypes / parts
▪ Machine Aluminium
▪ 28K RPM Spindle
▪ 180o Window visibility
▪ Drag in SVG files and use the built-in
auto-CAM
▪ Quickly adds engravings to your parts or
mills simple 2D objects
▪ Use the built-in previewer to get real-time
machining information
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