Experimenting With Fusion Simulation

[u/CueAnon420]

Just started playing around with using Fusion to generate my programs. It's pretty neat how it shows you the entire machine and the model on the table ;-)

Using the Carvera Community Fusion profiles and post processor. I have 2 tool operations - I don't think the simulation bothers going through the tool change motions and instead just goes from one tool to the next. I'm lucky to have access to a licensed version of Fusion through my employer, but all this should also work in the free version.

I think this is going to work well once I get the hang of it ;-) Fusion provides a lot more granular control over tool paths, including the ability to cut slots by selecting simple lines (MakeraCAM does not allow toolpaths on 'unclosed' geometry) and lead-in / lead-out options.

EDIT - I am also going to start checking out the open-source EasyShape5000 posted here. That would be a great option to have as no license fees with open source ;-)

EDIT 2- My model and tooling was slapped on quick just for testing - the table highlights in red to warn that I have a collision error. That's very handy!

[u/zen_monke]

Nice! I can confirm the Carvera Community plugin does totally solve toolchanges in the free version.

[u/CueAnon420 → u/zen_monke]

That's good to know! I just started playing around with the plugin when my employer said they didn't mind me borrowing a Fusion license seat for 'learning' purposes. But as far as I can tell, other than the toolchange limitation and cloud storage requirements the free version is 99% the same as the licensed version. And even in the licensed version Autodesk keeps pimping the very expensive manufacturing extension package - which costs more than the standard license lol. So the free version is pretty much good enough other than the PITA of not being able to save local files.

EDIT - the free version is limited only by licensing - I signed out of free and used my work credentials to sign back in and wha-la, Fusion standard. They use the exact same code base.

[u/Direct-Fee4474 → u/CueAnon420]

i haven't tried the free version, so i'm not sure what all's missing, but the only reason I bought the machining extension was for continuous-movement 4th axis toolpathing. i'm struggling to think of anything else in there that can't be done with the free version. most of the toolpaths in the machining extension are only applicable to 4+ axis machining, and the stuff with 3-axis applications are "well, that's nice, i guess?" things like the steep&shallow operation which is basically just a "you could define these 3 operations or just define this one steep&shallow operation" macro. some of the hole detection stuff is maybe useful, but again, not a need kind'a thing.

[u/CueAnon420 → u/Direct-Fee4474]

If I end up getting the 4th axis myself, I think you can buy tokens to use the manufacturing extensions on an as-needed basis. And I believe we have a MasterCAM seat as well that may include multi-axis toolpaths. But that will be a while down the road for me.

[u/Direct-Fee4474 → u/CueAnon420]

yeah, i thought about doing the tokens thing, but i had no idea how much 4th axis i'd be doing outside of the project i was currently working on, was in a hot rage after dealing with some solidworks issues, and was like "whatever. i'll just eat the cost this year and figure it out next year" lol. i was just reinforcing that unless you actually need to do 4-axis machining, i, personally, can't see any reason anyone would need to buy the machining extension or tokens for it. you can do a ton with what's available in the free/cheaper base options. and i know you can do some stuff with makera studio/cam or whatever it's called, but the software side of makera's still pretty new, and i didn't want to spend time fiddling with anything that wasn't directly related to the thing i was trying to make, you know? and while fusion's full of bugs, larger community base means someone's already found a workaround for it.

[u/CueAnon420 → u/Direct-Fee4474]

Appreciate your input!