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Mastercam files (*.MCAM) run through the Cycle Time Estimator need to have at least one Machine Group defined, including the Master Model and the Stock defined. If there are existing toolpaths on the files, there will be performance effects in the Cycle Time Estimation process. |
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For an example of how to use the Choose Files File(s) tab, see Using the Cycle Time Estimator: an Example. |
The Choose Files file(s) tab contains the following sections that can be collapsed or expanded:
After you have uploaded/selected the files and configured the options, click Run to create the cycle time estimates; this will populate the Cycle Times Estimates and Export tabs with the resultsAbout Cycle Time Estimator - shows the version number.
Parts - enables you to specify the ‘Folder Path’ that contains the part files (see Parts ‘Parts’ section, below).
The Cycle Time Estimator will calculate an estimation for each of the part files in the folder.
Once the folder is loaded, the MCAM files available will be shown.
Use the red 'Remove part' button
to remove any pats in the queue from being estimated.
Options - contains drop-down boxes that enable you to specify the machining environment (see Options ‘Options’ section, below)
Run- the Cycle Time Estimator uses the part files in the specified ‘Folder Path’ to:
Calculate estimations - shown in the Cycle Time Estimates tab
Populate ; it will also create a toolpath strategy (within Mastercam) for each part.
For more information on the Selecting files and Options sections, see below.
after you have specified the ‘Folder Path’, clicking Run will:
Create a cycle time estimate for each of the files listed under ‘Parts’ in the Cycle Times Estimates tab.
Add the item for export in the Export tab.
Tooltips
Tooltips contain useful information on the purpose and use of features within the ‘Upload' tab. To see a tooltip, just hover over a feature.
‘Parts’ section
The ‘Parts’ section enables you to upload/select up to 10 Fusion part filesin a specified folder.
When the Cycle Time Estimator is opened there are no files listed under ‘Selecting files’, as shown in the screenshot to the right‘Parts’.
Files are added to the list via the Click here to select files buttonFolder icon to the right of ‘Folder Path’, which then shows a Fusion ‘Select parts for which you want to estimate cycle times' dialog‘Browse for Folder' dialog.
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Each file ran through the Cycle Time Estimator together will need to use the same Options, so when arranging files into folders, break up folders by machining mode (3-axis or 3+2 files) and material. |
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The folder can contain as many part files as you want, but the Cycle Time Estimator will only select the first 10 sorted alphanumerically. |
The screenshot to the right shows four three files that have been added to the list of selected filesparts.
The following table details all of the features of the ‘Selecting files‘Parts' section.
Feature | Description | ||
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Folder path | The | maximum number of files that you can upload/select.||
Select | The Click here to select button may be used to upload/select up to the maximum number of files. On clicking Run, cycle time estimates and toolpath strategies are computed for each of the files in the ‘Selecting files’ batch. | ||
Uploaded/Selected files | path of the selected folder (read-only). | ||
 | The Folder icon is used to select the folder that contains the part files. The files in the folder are added to the ‘Part list' (see below).
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 | The Refresh icon should be used if the part files in selected folder has changed since you used the Folder icon and you want those parts to be shown in the ‘Part list’. | ||
[Part list] | A list of the parts in the selected folder. | ||
 | Next to each part file is the Remove file icon, which is used to remove the associated file from the Part list. If a part is removed from the Part list, it’s source file will remain untouched in the selected folder. |
‘Options’ section
The ‘Options’ section enables you to specify the environment for which the cycle time estimation and toolpath strategy computation will take place.
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These options will be applied to all of the parts in the selected folder. |
The following table details all of the features of the ‘Options' section.
Feature | Description | |
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Tool library | The | |
library that will be used to calculate the estimated cycle time and a toolpath strategy for each of the uploaded files, listed under ‘Selecting files’. | ||
| The Folder icon is used to specify an alternative folder that contains your tool libraries. | |
| The Refresh icon should be used if the content of the Tool library has changed since you opened the Cycle Time Estimator or used the Folder icon. | |
Tool summary | The number of tool assemblies in the selected ‘Tool library’. | |
Stock material | CAM Assist will select tools, machining strategies, and cutting parameters (or cutting data presets) based on the selected material. | |
Choose machine
Contains two categories of machine:
[Generic] - a range of CA Assist generic machines offering a combination of speed, power, and torque.
[Local] - Fusion machines that are contained within the ‘Local’ folder of Fusion’s ‘Machine Library’
See Autodesk’s article How to add a custom machine tool to the Machine Library in Fusion.
Edit machine properties
Enables you to specify a set of machine properties that are used to compute a toolpath strategy for each the uploaded files, listed under Selecting files.
For step-by-step instructions on using this button, see How to Edit Machine Properties.Machine parameters | Set the machine parameters for more accurate estimation results. Define these variables based on the machine that would be used to produce the part(s) used.  Values that can be configured in the Machine parameters are:
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Machining mode |
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