Fusion360 to Improve Plasma Cut Quality
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- I've had quite a few people ask me about using Fusion360 for 2D systems like plasma and laser cutters so I thought it was time to walk through the process and specifically, why I like this better than using the built-in software my cutter includes.
For more information about Fusion 360 please visit this link. autode.sk/1NtgqNy
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I'm using the open builds control, and edited a generic grbl laser post to give it functionality needed for a plasma. So you can create your own custom post.
Thanks for the info, will reference this video once my table is done. Saving this video to favs
Thanks
Been searching and had a question. When I post process in Fusion, the simulator cut path looks great. When I'm cutting, the parimeters don't complete their full path, stopping about 1/4 inch short before moving on. I don't have tabs selected. Don't know what could be causing it.
Sorry for the slow reply - just seeing this. Have you checked the dimension of your cuts? Are they correct or off? I ran into this before when I accidentally doubled up on the kerf offsets, meaning the CAM added an offset and then my plasma cutter applied yet another offset. Between the two it added up enough to throw things off roughly 1/8 inch. Another things to look for in your plasma cutter settings is cut overlap (sometimes called gap). These can cause the cut to either extend across the start or stop short.
Hope this helps!
Tom Z
Looks super useful Tom but - not something I can exploit as yet. Will return to this though if I ever get the need. :)
I'm sure this will help a good many folks.
Hi Chris! Agreed, this video was pointed towards a specific crowd but it's actually broader than you might think. Just about any type of CNC controlled system can be run this way... So the real question is, which path will you take? :)
Hope you are well, my friend.
TZ
Right now Tom - my path is probably headed towards hip surgery 8/1/17!! So - much to do with shop etc is on hold! Do hope to get some more time on Fusion eventually. All best.
+ChrisB257 Hope all goes well, sir!
Feel free to do the same video but go from fusion 360 to Sheetcam, then Mach 3 (that's if you do have those programs). Just putting that out there haha, this is the way I think I will be going when I'm up and running.
So in theory, you shouldn't need to use Sheetcam. You should be able to go right from Fusion 360 to Mach 3 without needing that intermediate step because you should be doing the same things in Fusion that you would do in Sheetcam. I don't have a copy of it but maybe I can get a trial copy or something like that.
Let me know if you need help though,
Tom Z
Yes, in theory I should be able to skip Sheetcam, but the bugs scare me. I was getting my head around Fusion 360 Cam, creating G-Code about 4 months ago, even made a video on it (more for just a reminder of the steps), then an update changed everything and I couldn't figure out how to do all the things I had just done. This is where I worry about committing too much to all the Fusion steps worries me. It was at that moment, I thought I should get used to Sheetcam and Fusion, so that I have a fall back for all my cutting needs, so that if I do have a customer down the road that wants a part and Fusion do an Update, I won't have an angry customer while I chase up a fix, taking longer to deliver.
I know that Sheetcam is specifically a way to generate that G-Code, it has many fans and has been stable for a long time, I can always concentrate on the 3D design "CAD" in Fusion, not too many concerns there, but advancing to CAM in Fusion, I really do worry (maybe a little too much) but I can design a part in Sheetcam too if it's a basic 2D design. One day, Fusion will have all the bugs fixed and should be a 1 stop shop, but your video gives me confidence to spend some time in there down the track and get that program doing more for my cutting needs.
You mention "dialing in" in this video. What exactly do you mean and how do you do it?
+Kendall Dene Ah, Yeah. That. So the cut width (kerf) will vary a little depending on the amperage, cut speed, and thickness of the material. You can compensate for this by adjusting the cut offset in the controller or in Fusion 360 as the width of the “tool” you use.
Hope this helps!
TomZ
Tom, I'm currently attempting to take a design to CAM, the layout and configuration has changed since you uploaded this video. Have you had any problems doing the cam / post process since the update? or can you still post process?
I just tried to make sure I knew the answer and it works but I did have to do one small thing differently. This time around when I picked the "tool" I had to turn on the filter for cutting tools (it was off by default but had been on in the past). Otherwise, it all worked as before.
Let me know if you still don't get it.
TZ
Thanks Tom, I just can't get my head around it right now, moved over to sheetcam for a look. Just downloaded it yesterday as a trial version. But heading out now, got other life stuff to do, will take a look again later
Audio is good!
Thanks, Brian! Hope things are going well there...
TZ
I don't know if you have the full version or not but i tried to follow you and when doing the tool i did not get a choice like you did but created one any how. but when doing the post prosses part mine never had post or cancel at the bottom nor did it look like yours.
You've stumbled across one of the challenges that I've been dealing with lately; the videos are outdated based on updates to the software. I've got some cutting to do soon so I might make an update to this video. Let me know if you are still having issues and I'll do my best to help. Thanks! - Tom Z
i hv handheld plasma i musing on cnc table i have thc problm with raw arc voltage any aolution?
I had to get the consumables for the machine torch and put them on my hand torch. After that I just used the settings from the manual and it all worked well.
I hope that helps!
Tom Z