Cycle Time Estimator - Features and Functionality

Before continuing, if you’re not familiar with the Cycle Time Estimator, it’s recommended you take a look at the Introduction.

Features and Functionality

To magnify any image/screenshot, just click it.

The following screenshot shows the layout and features of the Cycle Time Estimator.

The following table details all of the features of the Cycle Time Estimator:

Feature	Description
About CAM Assist	Shows the version number of the CloudNC CAM Assist for Fusion add-on suite.
Selecting files
Maximum number of files	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.
Options
Tool library	The Fusion tool 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.
Stock material	CAM Assist will select tools, machining strategies, and 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.
Machining mode	Machining mode - the Cycle Time Estimator provides two machining modes: 3-Axis - if a file does not contain a setup then the approach direction is +Z, otherwise the approach direction is as configured in each file. 3+2 Axis - uses the ‘Aligned to X, Y, Z axes’ Machining direction that features in the CAM Assist UI. The tool orientation that the Cycle Time Estimator uses to create the toolpath strategy covers all axes, including -Z
Machining mode

Resize and reposition

Resize

The Cycle Time Estimator interface can be resized to whatever is most convenient. The size is stored when the Cycle Time Estimator is closed and reused the next time it’s opened.

To resize CAM Assist, click and drag any edge of its interface to the required size (the resize icon will be displayed when the action is available).

Reposition

The Cycle Time Estimator can be positioned anywhere within the desktop (it is not confined to the Fusion window).

To reposition CAM Assist, drag the top banner to the desired position: it can be docked within the Fusion interface.