Tutorial – How to author toolpaths in Fusion 360 [Smooth model with footprints, formwork in XPS]
From Alexander Sanning
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Timestamps:
0:04 [Intro] Scope of the tutorial
0:19 [Rhino] Preparing the 3D model, turning a positive model into the negative that we want to CNC fabricate
4:09 [Rhino] Exporting separately the prepared 3D model and polylines to engrave
4:48 [Fusion 360] Uploading the 3D model and polylines to the Fusion 360 servers
5:03 [Fusion 360] Opening the 3d model file, and inserting the polyline file
5:16 [Fusion 360] Changing workspaces to Manufacture, and properly defining the setup (digital stock)
6:16 [Fusion 360] When saving the document, a version description is highly optional and does not affect the file name
6:28 [Web browser] Using the reference datasheet to find relevant toolpath settings for your project
7:28 [Fusion 360] Authoring a 3D adaptive clearing toolpath, for primary clearance
11:23 [Grasshopper] Estimating expected actual time to mill from simulated time
12:34 [Fusion 360] If any vertical walls exceed the flute length of the tool used for any succeeding 3D parallel toolpath, authoring a 3D adaptive clearing toolpath with the same tool, for intermediary clearance, is necessary
18:29 [Fusion 360] Authoring a 3D parallel toolpath, for defining the final surface
24:50 [Fusion 360] Authoring a 2D Trace toolpath, for engraving with a rectangular profile
27:09 [Fusion 360] Authoring a 2D Trace toolpath, for engraving with a V-bit
29:53 [Fusion 360] Revising the 2D Trace toolpath, changing the tool to one that accomodates the engraving depth
33:07 [Grasshopper] Final estimation of maximum expected actual time to mill from simulated time
33:40 [Fusion 360] Verifying that all toolpaths are safe to run (no critical collisions registered while simulated)
35:12 [Fusion 360] Post processing all toolpaths individually
39:13 [Web browser] Uploading your post processed toolpath files to a temporary folder, to be downloaded on the CNC computer
40:00 [Bonus] For aesthetic reasons, to get a visually accurate preview of the fully milled stock, simulate the whole setup, and export the simulated mesh
41:09 [Outro] With the digital toolpaths prepared, you should focus on preparing the physical stock
.........................................
Links:
Autodesk (publisher of Fusion 360):
https://www.autodesk.com/
Rhinoceros:
https://www.rhino3d.com/
CNC web portal:
http://cnc.kthcnc.se/
Grasshopper web portal:
http://gh.kthcnc.se/
.........................................
This tutorial demonstrates to KTH Architecture students how to author toolpaths in Fusion 360, with the aim of milling a smooth model with elevated building footprints, as a casting formwork in XPS. Due to it being a formwork, the elevated building footprints will be descended in the casted model (as well as engraved curves will be protruding upwards after casting).
Should a student's aim not be to mill a model with building footprints (or engraved curves), it might still be suitable to follow, by simply omitting the steps covering segments out of the student's aim. The same is valid with regards to material – by adjusting settings to valid reference data, instead of the ones specifically used here.
The operating system used for this tutorial is Windows 10. Running another operating system (e.g. Linux, MacOS) might amount to a different user experience or software incompatibility.
If you want to check in which computer room(s) any relevant software might be installed in – CADLAB, DFL, and ARCPLAN are in the KTH School of Architecture building – please check the following link for current status:
https://www.kth.se/en/student/it/campus/computer-rooms/lista
Disclaimer:
This tutorial aims to increase student awareness of the versatility of the digital tools available for use within the context of the architectural education offered by KTH. As such, it might not be generally applicable, but on the other hand, if at least one architecture student is helped by it in fulfilling deliverables requirements or being taught something of genuine interest, the purpose of this tutorial is satisfactorily achieved. There might be inaccuracies in this tutorial – if you identify any significant one, please tell us in the comments.
0:04 [Intro] Scope of the tutorial
0:19 [Rhino] Preparing the 3D model, turning a positive model into the negative that we want to CNC fabricate
4:09 [Rhino] Exporting separately the prepared 3D model and polylines to engrave
4:48 [Fusion 360] Uploading the 3D model and polylines to the Fusion 360 servers
5:03 [Fusion 360] Opening the 3d model file, and inserting the polyline file
5:16 [Fusion 360] Changing workspaces to Manufacture, and properly defining the setup (digital stock)
6:16 [Fusion 360] When saving the document, a version description is highly optional and does not affect the file name
6:28 [Web browser] Using the reference datasheet to find relevant toolpath settings for your project
7:28 [Fusion 360] Authoring a 3D adaptive clearing toolpath, for primary clearance
11:23 [Grasshopper] Estimating expected actual time to mill from simulated time
12:34 [Fusion 360] If any vertical walls exceed the flute length of the tool used for any succeeding 3D parallel toolpath, authoring a 3D adaptive clearing toolpath with the same tool, for intermediary clearance, is necessary
18:29 [Fusion 360] Authoring a 3D parallel toolpath, for defining the final surface
24:50 [Fusion 360] Authoring a 2D Trace toolpath, for engraving with a rectangular profile
27:09 [Fusion 360] Authoring a 2D Trace toolpath, for engraving with a V-bit
29:53 [Fusion 360] Revising the 2D Trace toolpath, changing the tool to one that accomodates the engraving depth
33:07 [Grasshopper] Final estimation of maximum expected actual time to mill from simulated time
33:40 [Fusion 360] Verifying that all toolpaths are safe to run (no critical collisions registered while simulated)
35:12 [Fusion 360] Post processing all toolpaths individually
39:13 [Web browser] Uploading your post processed toolpath files to a temporary folder, to be downloaded on the CNC computer
40:00 [Bonus] For aesthetic reasons, to get a visually accurate preview of the fully milled stock, simulate the whole setup, and export the simulated mesh
41:09 [Outro] With the digital toolpaths prepared, you should focus on preparing the physical stock
.........................................
Links:
Autodesk (publisher of Fusion 360):
https://www.autodesk.com/
Rhinoceros:
https://www.rhino3d.com/
CNC web portal:
http://cnc.kthcnc.se/
Grasshopper web portal:
http://gh.kthcnc.se/
.........................................
This tutorial demonstrates to KTH Architecture students how to author toolpaths in Fusion 360, with the aim of milling a smooth model with elevated building footprints, as a casting formwork in XPS. Due to it being a formwork, the elevated building footprints will be descended in the casted model (as well as engraved curves will be protruding upwards after casting).
Should a student's aim not be to mill a model with building footprints (or engraved curves), it might still be suitable to follow, by simply omitting the steps covering segments out of the student's aim. The same is valid with regards to material – by adjusting settings to valid reference data, instead of the ones specifically used here.
The operating system used for this tutorial is Windows 10. Running another operating system (e.g. Linux, MacOS) might amount to a different user experience or software incompatibility.
If you want to check in which computer room(s) any relevant software might be installed in – CADLAB, DFL, and ARCPLAN are in the KTH School of Architecture building – please check the following link for current status:
https://www.kth.se/en/student/it/campus/computer-rooms/lista
Disclaimer:
This tutorial aims to increase student awareness of the versatility of the digital tools available for use within the context of the architectural education offered by KTH. As such, it might not be generally applicable, but on the other hand, if at least one architecture student is helped by it in fulfilling deliverables requirements or being taught something of genuine interest, the purpose of this tutorial is satisfactorily achieved. There might be inaccuracies in this tutorial – if you identify any significant one, please tell us in the comments.
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