Aligned to X, Y, Z Axes

This page provides a video and step-by-step instructions to guide you through using the 3+2 Axis machining mode, with the ‘Aligned to X, Y, Z Axes’ machining direction.

With this machining direction:

The tool orientation that CAM Assist uses to create the toolpath strategy can only come from the +X, -X, +Y, -Y, and +Z axes.
The tool then operates on the part from a fixed orientation, which means that the orientation cannot change during cutting.

Step-by-step instructions

Videos
The following YouTube videos provide useful information:

How to Use the 3+2 Axis Machining Mode (Aligned) - illustrates the following step-by-step instructions (duration: 1:27).
Using 3+2 with CAM Assist for Autodesk Fusion - provides an in-depth walkthrough of CAM Assist’s 3+2 machining modes (duration: 12:36).

Selecting a part and opening CAM Assist

CAM Assist in the ‘Manufacture’ ribbon

Specifying the ‘3+2 Axis’ machining mode

Tool library - select a ‘Tool library’ from the drop-down.
Stock Material - select a material from the drop-down.
- CAM Assist will select tools, machining strategies, and cutting presets based on the selected material (see the Tool Use tab for a report on the selected ‘Tool library’).
Choose machine - select a machine from the drop-down.
Edit machine properties [optional]- enables you to change the machine’s properties (see Machine Properties).
Machining mode - select ‘3+2 Axis’.
- The ‘Machining direction' options are displayed.

Machining direction - Aligned to X, Y, Z axes

Using the ‘Aligned to X, Y, Z axes' option

Machining Direction - select ‘Aligned to X, Y, Z axes’.
Target setups - ensure at least one Setup is checked.
- The ‘Target setups' section is populated with options for each Fusion setup for the part.
- If you want CAM Assist to create a toolpath strategy for a setup, ensure that the respective setup's checkbox (such as 'Setup1' and ‘Setup2’) is checked.

For each ‘Setup’ that you have checked:

(Optional) Avoidance geometry - see Avoidance Geometry, below.
Use the Workholding security slider to indicate the relevant setting:
- Excellent - a more secure ('excellent') workholding, such as a vise with serrated jaws, will result in CAM Assist selecting larger tools or more aggressive cutting parameters. This will result in faster toolpaths, but with more force on the workpiece.
- Poor - a less secure ('poor') workholding, such as a thin part held by a soft jaw, will result in CAM Assist selecting smaller tools or less aggressive cutting parameters. This will produce slower toolpaths, but with less force on the workpiece.
CAM Assist will choose roughing tools suitable for the specific workholding.

Optional Steps:

Click Run
- CAM Assist now applies it’s computed toolpath strategy to the part within Fusion (see the example, below)

Avoidance Geometry

Avoidance geometry blocks out portions of the stock that you don't want to be machined in this setup.

This geometry ensures that machining operations do not occur in specific portions of the stock for this setup, such as the space under the part or between the vise jaws.

These blocked out portions (avoidance geometry) are different from fixture bodies. While fixture bodies MUST be avoided, the Avoidance Geometry is considered part of the stock and may be gouged in specific cases. For example, drilling a through-hole may pierce the avoidance geometry but not the fixture.

Fixture bodies also require clearance from any tool, whereas all roughing tools may touch the surface of the avoidance geometry.

You have two choices for Avoidance Geometry:

Use the Generate Avoidance Geometry add-on:
- CAM Assist will do the majority of the work for you.
- For instructions on how to user the add-on, see Generate Avoidance Geometry.
Use the option in the ‘Target setups’ section:
1. For Avoidance geometry, click Body (0).
2. Within the model/part, click on the specific portion of the stock to indicate avoidance geometry.
3. Body (0) changes to Body (n), where n is the number of bodies that you have selected.
4. On clicking Run, CAM Assist will generate the avoidance geometry and integrate it with the computed toolpath strategy.

3+2 Axis machining mode example

The following screenshots show the ‘Demo 4’ part before and after applying CAM Assist’s computed toolpath strategy.

Click on the images to magnify them.