How to Edit Machine Properties

Owned by Kevin Strider (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Oct 25, 2024 by Geoffrey Brennan
3 min read

The ‘Machine Properties’ sub-section has two purposes:

  • Capture additional properties - captures additional properties not stored in Fusion’s Machine Library for [Local] machines; these values are used by CAM Assist to compute toolpath strategies.

  • Enable override values - enables you to override default values for the chosen machine.

‘Machine Properties’ contains five properties:

  • Spindle speed min

  • Spindle speed max

  • Spindle torque max (Nm)

  • Spindle power max (kW)

  • Table feed max

These properties are populated according to selection made for Choose machine, for which there are two types of machine.

Types of Machine

Within CAM Assist, there are two types of machine: [Generic] and [Local].

[Generic] machines

A range of CAM Assist generic machines offering a combination of speed, power, and torque.

The machine’s properties come fully configured but can be edited, if required.

While alternative values can be specified for [Generic] machine (which will override its default values), it is recommended to create a separate local machine, in the ‘local’ folder of Fusion’s Machine Library: this will then be available as a [Local] machine in CAM Assist’s Choose machine drop-down.

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[Local] machines

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).

Three of the machine properties are obtained from the Fusion Tool Library:

  • Spindle speed min

  • Spindle speed max

  • Table feed max

There are two Machine Properties that are not stored within Fusion’s Machine Library:

  • Spindle torque max

  • Spindle power max

All properties must contain a valid value because they are used for cutting parameters to compute toolpath strategies.
Since all values are not be stored within Fusion, they are stored in the CAM Assist database.

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Step-by-step instructions

The remainder of this page provides step-by-step instruction on how to edit the machine properties.

  1. From the Choose machine drop-down, select a machine.

    • [Local] machines - continue from step 3

    • [Generic] machines - continue from step 2.

 

  1. Click Edit machine properties.

  1. Enter values for the machine properties:

    • For [Local] machine - ensure that all of the properties match the manufacturer’s specification.

    • For [Generic] machines:

      1. Spindle speed min - must be at least 0.00

      2. Spindle speed max - [mandatory] must contain a valid non-zero value

      3. Spindle torque max - must be at least 0.00

      4. Spindle power max - [mandatory] must contain a valid non-zero value

      5. Table feed max - must be at least 0.00

See Validation checks, below.

  1. Click Save machine properties.

Validation checks

Two methods are used to help you check that CAM Assist has the required values for the machine.

  • Value color - values are colored red if:

    • You have not entered valid details for a property.

    • You have not clicked Save machine properties.

  • Validation text - shown just under ‘Machine Properties’:

    • You’ll see a message such as ”No match found for your machine in our database. Please refer to the manufacturer catalogue for specification.”