v1.13 How to Use the 3-Axis Machining Mode

1. Select a part

   • While you are free to use any part, this guide uses ‘Demo 1’ (available from the CAM Assist panel).

2. Open CAM Assist - click the big logo at the top of the CAM Assist panel.

3. Tool library - select a ‘Tool library’ from the drop-down.

4. 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’).

5. Choose machine - select a machine from the drop-down.

6. Edit machine properties [optional]- enables you to change the machine’s properties (see Machine Properties).

7. Machining mode - select ‘3 Axis’.

8. 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’ve checked:

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

   • 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.

10. Set the Workholding security - CAM Assist will choose roughing tools suitable for the specified workholding. Set the slider to the required position between, or at, the two extremes:

    • Excellent - a more secure ('excellent') workholding, such as a vice 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.

You can configure additional parameters within CAM Assist (see the Advanced tab), or

11. Click Run.

    • CAM Assist closes and a toolpath strategy is created for the part within Fusion.