{"id":26340,"date":"2021-11-29T09:32:41","date_gmt":"2021-11-29T17:32:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/?p=26340"},"modified":"2022-02-08T07:29:31","modified_gmt":"2022-02-08T15:29:31","slug":"fusion-360-machining-extension-toolpath-automation-steep-and-shallow-hole-recognition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/fusion-360-machining-extension-toolpath-automation-steep-and-shallow-hole-recognition\/","title":{"rendered":"Expand with the Fusion 360 Machining Extension Pt. 3: Toolpath Automation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this three-part series, we\u2019ll cover three key tools the Fusion 360 Machining Extension brings to the table that will make your process more efficient than ever \u2014 next up is toolpath automation, including steep and shallow and hole recognition tools.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"fusion-360-machining-extension-steep-and-shallow-tools\"
Fusion 360 Machining Extension Steep and Shallow tools in action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starting a business is easy \u2014 said no one ever. Running a successful company begins with a great idea, but it never stops there. Business owners in the design, engineering, and manufacturing industries are often bogged down by daily decision-making \u2014 from hiring machinists to client relations to purchasing new machines. But, thanks to Fusion 360<\/a>, there\u2019s one decision you don\u2019t need to overthink: selecting a CAD\/CAM<\/a> software. This three-part series covers three key tools the Fusion 360 Machining Extension brings to the table<\/a> that will save you time, energy, and money. Let’s dive into Toolpath Automation to see how our Steep and Shallow and Hole recognition tools let robots do what robots do best: run unattended.<\/p>\n\n\n

Toolpath Automation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Toyota wasn’t wrong when they created the Kaizen Way<\/a>. Continual improvement is crucial to landing jobs, growing revenue, and improving profit margins. It\u2019s not as easy as it sounds, though. Increasing revenue and expanding margins requires a lot of time and logistics. Meanwhile, most manufacturers are already consumed with just keeping their machines running, employees happy, and lights on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tools you decide to use play a crucial part in making all of these tasks easier so you can focus on your businesses\u2019 long-term success. The Fusion 360 Machining Extension and its Steep and Shallow and Hole Recognition tools are one way to automate your process to run leaner, more efficient, and more marginally robust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

What is Steep and Shallow?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Steep and Shallow automates the finishing of freeform surfaces. It automatically detects the surface slope and applies the optimal strategy. Even when part complexity increases, automatic collision avoidance can provide the control you need to machine your parts, utilizing the full 5-axis<\/a> capability of your machines for better access, and using more rigid, shorter tools for improved surface finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steep and Shallow is a lot more than “set it and forget it.” Using it in your everyday practice can help speed up your CAM<\/a> process and, by default, your machining process. It also helps onboard new employees when you’re standardizing around a process, enables you to get to a great place before you hone your finishing strategies, and so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The integrated design and manufacturing environment is a massive value proposition for anyone with two departments designing and making parts using Fusion 360. Programmers are automatically notified of new versions, allowing you to regenerate toolpaths on the latest design quickly. This ability lowers the costs associated with design changes because you\u2019re always using the latest version of the design.<\/p>\n\n\n

What is Hole Recognition?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\"\"
Fusion 360 Machining Extension Hole Recognition tools in action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hole Recognition is another tool that helps make your process more efficient. Let’s say you are in the after-market automotive<\/a> sector or industrial fittings sector. You often work with either the need for weight reduction or you’re making loads of hole or pocket features for threads or pass-throughs. Most of your time is spent selecting every single little hole and part for hours \u2014 or at least that’s how it feels. Real talk: let’s hope you don’t accidentally click off a feature and lose your work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hole recognition lets you create templates and click-and-go tools so that you can apply specific cutting methods to types of holes. Fusion 360 automatically finds the same features and batches them together. Regardless of chamfer size, thread size, hole diameter, or depth, the Machining Extensions Hole Recognition tool is an anti-bang your head against the wall tool that can seriously make you money. Check out this video to learn more: <\/p>\n\n\n

\n