Using the ‘Toolpath types’ section of the ‘Advanced' tab is simply a matter of deciding which toolpath types you want to include in the toolpath strategy that CAM Assist will compute after you click Run.
To include a toolpath type in CAM Assist’s computation, check it’s checkbox.
This page uses examples for each of the toolpath types to illustrate what effect checking/unchecking them has on CAM Assist’s computed toolpath strategy:
For an overview of this section’s features and functionality, see Toolpath Types.
All Toolpath types checked
In the example below, all of the Toolpath types have been checked.
This means that CAM Assist will compute all of the appropriate strategies for all toolpaths.
After Run has been clicked in CAM Assist, the Fusion ‘browser’ contains toolpaths for the operations: Facing (including Finshing), Roughing, Flat, Wall, Holemaking, Chamfering, and Deburring.
To magnify images/screenshots, click on them.
Face milling
Face milling is an operation that removes material from the face, or flat surface, of a part. It is commonly used to achieve smooth finishes, create flat surfaces, or to prepare the part for subsequent operations.
Face milling - unchecked
When Face milling is unchecked, CAM Assist will not compute Facing toolpaths.
Face milling - checked
When Face milling is checked, CAM Assist will compute Facing toolpaths using a face mill or an End mill to face off the part, as shown in the following screenshot.
Bulk roughing
Bulk roughing is a machining strategy that involves removing a significant amount of material quickly and efficiently from a part during the initial stages of the machining process. The goal of bulk roughing is to remove excess stock material and bring the part closer to its final shape before more detailed operations are performed.
Bulk roughing - unchecked
When Bulk roughing is unchecked:
CAM Assist will not compute any Roughing toolpath; you must manually create roughing operation to clear the stock for the Finishing operation.
‘Detailed roughing’ cannot be checked.
The ‘Roughing' section, in the ‘Advanced’ tab, is hidden.
Bulk roughing - checked
When Bulk roughing is checked, CAM Assist will compute Roughing toolpaths that will efficiently remove the bulk of the stock material around the part, as shown in the following screenshot.
Detailed roughing can only be checked if Bulk roughing has first been checked.
Detailed roughing - unchecked
When Detailed roughing is unchecked, CAM Assist will not compute detailed roughing toolpaths.
Detailed roughing - checked
Detailed roughing is a machining strategy that involves removing material in a more controlled and detailed manner after the ‘Bulk roughing’ stage. The goal of detailed roughing is to achieve a more precise shape, leaving behind a smaller amount of material for the subsequent finishing operation.
When Detailed roughing is checked, CAM Assist will compute detailed roughing toolpaths that have a fine stepdown. CAM Assist will also ensure that freeform features are adequately roughed out.
This option can be computationally expensive and may involve longer toolpath generation than other methods.
Finishing
Finishing is an operation where the final cuts are made to the material to achieve the desired surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and overall quality of the machined part.
Finishing - unchecked
When Finishing is unchecked:
CAM Assist will not compute Flat (Flat finishing) or Wall (Wall finishing) toolpaths.
The ‘Finishing’ section, in CAM Assist’s ‘Advanced’ tab, is hidden.
Finishing - checked
When Finishing is checked, CAM Assist will compute toolpaths to Finish the part.
The following screenshot shows toolpaths for Flat (Flat finishing) and Wall (Wall finishing), as computed by CAM Assist.
Hole making
Hole making is the process of creating holes of specific sizes, depths, and tolerances in a part using various machining operations, such as drilling, boring, and tapping.
Hole making - unchecked
In the following screenshot, Hole making has been unchecked.
When Hole making is unchecked then:
Spot drilling (see below) cannot be checked.
CAM Assist will not compute ‘Hole making’ toolpaths
Hole making - checked
When Hole making is checked:
CAM Assist will compute Holemaking toolpaths, as shown in the following screenshot.
If hole threads are specified in Fusion design, CAM Assist will produce tapping and thread mill operations to produce the threads.
With Hole making checked, Spot drilling can also be checked (see below).
Spot drilling
Spot drilling is the process of creating a small, shallow hole or depression at a precise point on a part. The initial indentation help to accurately position and guide the drill when drilling deeper holes.
In the next two screenshots, you’ll see the difference between checking and unchecking the ‘Spot drilling’ toolpath type.
Spot drilling - checked
You can only check ‘Spot drilling’ if ‘Hole making’ is checked.
When Spot drilling is checked:
CAM Assist will generate a spot drilling operation before every drilling operation.
After Run has been clicked in CAM Assist:
Fusion’s Browser contains a ‘spot drilling’ (spot drill) operation before the ‘drilling’ (drill) operation.
A second Hole making operation, using a spot drill, is also part of the toolpath strategy, as shown in the following screenshot.
Spot drilling - unchecked
When Spot drilling is unchecked:
CAM Assist will not compute Spot drilling toolpaths.
After ‘Run’ has been clicked in CAM Assist:
A Spot drilling operation will not precede every drilling operation - Fusion’s browser no longer contains the ‘spot drill’ operation before the ‘drill’ operation.
However, the other Holemaking operation is still a part of the toolpath strategy, as shown in the screenshot below.
Deburring
Deburring is an operation used for removing burrs, sharp edges, and irregularities from a machined part. Deburring is essential for improving a part’s safety, functionality, and aesthetics
In the next two screenshots, you’ll see the difference between checking and unchecking the ‘Deburring’ toolpath type.
Deburring - unchecked
When Deburring is unchecked:
CAM Assist will not compute Deburring toolpaths, as shown in the following screenshot.
The ‘Deburring’ section, in CAM Assist’s ‘Advanced’ tab, is hidden.
Deburring - checked
When Deburring is checked, CAM Assist will compute toolpaths to deburr sharp edges, as shown in the following screenshot.
