Anyone using Fusion 360 with 4th (rotary) axis on CNC router?

[wallyblackburn]

I'm pretty quickly realizing how far over my head I'm in here. I got a 4th axis rotary and got it hooked up pretty easily and configured on my DIY router with Acorn control. I'm using Fusion 360 and I've always used the generic Centroid post-processor.

Do I need to modify the PP or get another one to generate G-code that will use the A-axis?

I know that is pretty broad, but even some pointers to other post, videos, etc. would be great.

Thanks,
Wally

[Gary Campbell]

You will need a post processor that is 4th axis enabled and supports the features of Fusion 360

[wallyblackburn]

Thanks, I am able to get it to post using a PP for Haas and Fanuc. Wondering if these will work?

Going to try to "cut some air" with them today if I get a chance.

Thanks,
Wally

[Gary Campbell]

Wally...
Sorry cant help you there, you will just have to test and possibly get assistance from a Fusion forum. Autodesk's coke dealer marketing plan where the product starts out free or at low cost, then increases as THEY determine if you can afford it, is something that myself and many OEM's are avoiding.

With a free product, there is no money in the distribution chain for OEMs to provide training, support or provide proper post processors for their machines. Too bad, because it looks like it has great potential.

[cbb1962]

Wally,
Since the PP isn't acorn specific I would thing that it has 4+ axis support already. I would ping Swissi, he has modified the fusion 360 PP before, he or cnckeith should know.

[Sportbikeryder]

Are you planning to do 3+1 or 4axis simultaneous? Do you have a clamp/lock on your rotary?

[Sportbikeryder]

I have atttached a post that I modified and use for 4 axis. I have not tested it with 4 axix simultaneous at all, only 3+1.

I have disabled the clamp commands and have added in a feature to create a G4 Dwell for a time proportional to the spindle speed that is being called.

John

[wallyblackburn]

Thanks a ton guys! I tried the Haas w/A-axis PP and it actually worked OK. I also learned a bit more and modified the generic Centroid to include an A-Axis, but I got some error...can't remember...something about not being able to machine rewind? I just tried it again to reproduce the error so I could paste it here - and it worked! LOL.

Just tried some simple tests so far. Played with importing some STL files from Thingiverse, but that seems to be a whole next level of bizarre - backing off on that for now.

Thanks again,
Wally

[swissi]

Wally,

if you want to make things from Thingiverse, you'll be better of with an additive manufacturing process like 3D-Printing

STL files are Mesh-Bodies and you need to convert them to solid bodies before you can create tool-paths.

Here's on of Lars' YouTube videos explaining how to convert Mesh Bodies to Solid Bodies in Fusion 360:

https://youtu.be/yxC-kwuksug

-swissi