Introduction
Cutting Parameters takes a set of inputs for a selected operation toolpath and dynamically produces recommendations for cutting parameters of the tool that is used for that operation.Introduction
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Before you can use the Cutting Parameters Add-on, you must first use CAM Assist to compute a toolpath strategy (see Getting Started with CAM Assist). |
CloudNC Cutting Parameters is the engine behind CAM Assist’s computation of toolpath strategies. The Cutting Parameters add-on exposes that engine in the form of a graphical user interface (UI) that can be used to examine or fine-tune a set of inputs (including the cutting parameters) for a selected operation toolpath.
The Cutting Parameters add-on enables you to amend the inputs and dynamically produces recommendations for the selected operation. The inputs originally come from the Fusion Browser that was populated by CAM Assist
computation’s of
a selected toolpath strategy
However, those inputs can be changed within Cutting Parameters.
As soon as any cutting parameter is changed, the recommendations are immediately updated, providingfor the associated part.
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The Cutting Parameters add-on provides you with an area for experimentation without affecting the operation in Fusion. |
Overview
The recommendations are graphically represented by the following:
2D Milling diagram
Set of heatmaps
Fine tune sliders
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This page provides a basic overview of Cutting Parameter inputs and recommendations, and provides details on how to apply those recommendations to CAM Assist’s toolpath strategy. |
Opening Cutting Parameters
diagram below shows an overview of a typical workflow:
Open the Part - open the part in Fusion.
Compute a Toolpath Strategy - use CAM Assist to compute a toolpath strategy (see Getting Started with CAM Assist).
Select an Operation Toolpath - from the Fusion Browser that was populated by CAM Assist’s computed toolpath strategy
Open the Cutting Parameters Add-on - via a right-click on the selected operation toolpath (see Opening the Cutting Parameters Add-on).
Amend the Inputs - use the features of the Cutting Parameter Add-on’s UI to amend the inputs associated with the selected operation toolpath (which includes its cutting parameters).
As you amend the inputs, the Cutting Parameters add-on makes dynamic recommendations.
Save Operation - when you are happy with the recommendations, you can save them, which updates the selected operation toolpath in Fusion.
Scope
The Cutting Parameters add-on makes recommendations for the following operations and tool types:
Roughing
Flat end mill
Radius end mill
Ball end mill
Finishing
Flat end mill
Radius end mill
Ball end mill
Reamer
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Section name
Description
1
Input tabs
Each of the input tabs displays its the current value.
Clicking a tab, displays it’s pop-up, in which certain parameters can be changed.
For more details, see Input Tabs.
2
Aggression Control sliders
So named because they indicate the level of ‘aggressive control’ you assign over a tool in the machining operation.
For more details, see Aggression Control Sliders.
3
Fine Tune sliders
An expandable/collapsible section that contains a set of parameters whose values can be changed by multi-functional sliders.
For more details, see Fine Tune.
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For a detailed look at the features of the interface, see the Cutting Parameters' Layout section. |
Dynamic Recommendations
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Recommendations are dynamic: they change when the inputs change. |
When changes are made to the inputs (see above), those changes are immediately reflected in the recommendations made in the Cutting Parameters interface; this occurs in three separate sections of the Cutting Parameters interface, as shown in the following screenshots.
The following table provides an overview of the recommendation sections (as shown in the above screenshots).
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Section name
Description
A
2D Machining model
The 2D Milling diagram provides a dynamic illustration of the Cutting parameter recommendations.
The left image represents the cutting engagement.
The right image represents the z-place view of the machining process.
For more details, see 2D Milling Diagram.
B
Fine tune section
A expandable/collapsible section that is populated with a set of cutting parameters that you can use to ‘fine tune’ the tool’s application of the selected operation. Each parameter can be adjusted via a multi-functional ‘fine-tune' slider.
For more details, see Fine Tune.
C
Heatmaps
Complete this
For more details, see Heatmaps.
Saving and applying the recommendations
When you have finished configuring cutting parameters, take the following steps:
Within Cutting Parameters, click Save Operation.
This sends all of the feeds and speeds, from Cutting Parameters, back to the operation toolpath that was originally selected from the Fusion Browser.
Within the Fusion Browser, right-click on the same operation then:
[optional] Select ‘Edit’ - displays the values from Cutting Parameters.
[required] Select ‘Generate’ - generates the toolpath with the adjusted cutting parameters.
Measuring improvements
It's recommended that you compare the machining time for the operation (along with other qualitative and quantitative results) against the original results to determine the effectiveness of Cutting Parameters' recommendations, given the adjustments you specified.
You can always Cutting Parameters again with a different set of valuesInputs
Recommendations are made based on inputs from two sources:
Fusion and CAM Assist - the original configuration of the tool when it was first selected from the Fusion Browser (see Opening Cutting Parameters)
Cutting Parameters - the value of inputs and sliders used within Cutting Parameters (see Cutting Parameters' Layout) that change the original configuration.
Cutting Parameters' Inputs
There are three sections of the Cutting Parameters interface (as annotated in the screenshot to the right) that are used to configure the inputs required to make recommendations for the tool.The following table provides an overview of those sections.
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For more introductory information on the features used by the Cutting Parameters add-on, see Inputs and Recommendations. |