The Fusion 360 Machining Extension is a cost-option that, when purchased, unlocks additional functionality to boost the CAM programming capabilities that are already included in Fusion 360. Extensions provide a flexible, cost-effective way for you to access more advanced technology in line with your changing business needs.
Fusion 360 Machining Extension overview (video: 53 sec.)
What is the Fusion 360 Machining Extension?
The Fusion 360 Machining Extension is a cost option that unlocks additional CAM capabilities inside Fusion 360, allowing you to make better use of your 5-axis CNC machinery and produce higher quality parts. Choose from a range of flexible payment options to best suit your business needs.
Benefits of the Fusion 360 Machining Extension
Simplify CAM programming
Automate your CNC machining workflows to reduce programming time, remove repetitive tasks, and reduce errors.
Produce better quality parts
Use advanced machining strategies to improve the performance of your CNC machines and produce higher-quality parts.
Avoid overpriced software
Get flexible access to advanced CAM technology when and where you need it. Unlock innovative technology that pays for itself in weeks.
Capabilities
Programming automation
Simplify and speed up the production of milling and drilling programs with intelligent toolpaths capable of safely and efficiently processing entire parts.
4- & 5-axis simultaneous
Improve surface finish, use fewer part setups, and increase cycle efficiency with advanced 4- and 5-axis simultaneous toolpaths. Machine complex parts safely with automatic collision avoidance.
Toolpath modifications
Speed up CAM programming with powerful toolpath modification tools. Make rapid edits to toolpaths without wasteful recalculations, to start machining sooner and deliver parts faster.
Part inspection
Use CAD-based probing and spindle mounted probes to measure and improve the accuracy of your CNC machining. Intelligent part alignment helps save time and produce better quality parts.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A 7-day, free trial is available for the Machining Extension, giving you access to all capabilities.
If you are new to Fusion 360, click here to initiate a free trial in order to access extension trials.
Once you have access to Fusion 360, follow these instructions to get a 7-day trial of a Fusion 360 extension:
- Click the Extensions icon in the top-right corner of the Application Bar in Fusion 360
- Select the extension you would like to trial from the list of Available Extensions
- From the Access Options dropdown in the top-right corner, select "Start 7-day free trial" and click Purchase, which will begin your trial for free
The Fusion 360 Machining Extension unlocks advanced CAM programming tools that can help simplify the machining of complex, feature-rich parts, including:
- Programming automation (multi-axis hole drilling)
- 4- & 5-axis simultaneous machining (swarf, multi-axis contour, advanced tool axis controls, automatic collision avoidance)
- Toolpath modifications (limiting, deleting passes, replace tool)
- Part inspection (2D geometry, 3D surfaces, part alignment)
The Fusion 360 Machining Extension can be accessed using different payment methods to suit your business needs, including daily, monthly, and yearly options. Learn more about purchasing Fusion 360 extensions
Many complex parts can be produced using 3-axis CNC machining, however there are limits. 3-axis machines are less suitable for parts with undercuts or features that aren’t aligned with the machines’ Z-axis. Multi-axis machining, such as “3+2” and “5-axis”, can allow these more challenging parts to be machined with fewer setups, shorter tools, and more aggressive feeds and speeds, ultimately enabling higher value parts to be machined more accurately and easily.
3+2 and 5-axis machining allows CAM programmers to change the toolaxis orientation relative to the workpiece. This can help machine hard to reach features but also enables the use of shorter tools (to reduce cutter push-off and improve part quality), increased feeds and speeds (for shorter cycle times), and more efficient machining (e.g. milling inclined planar surfaces with flat-bottomed cutting tools and large stepovers).
Steep & Shallow is a machining strategy offered inside the Fusion 360 – Machining Extension. It combines four different strategies into one, and automates the machining of complex, feature-rich parts. It identifies steep and shallow areas of the 3D model and produces highly efficient toolpaths to machine them. Additional automation options include top down ordering, excluding flat areas, varying raster angle selection, scallop removal, and automatic 5-axis collision avoidance.
Setting up the stock on a CNC machine is typically a manual process carried out by skilled workers using dials and gages. This is simple when the stock is prismatic in shape, but not when it is large/heavy/organic in shape. The Fusion 360 Machining Extension includes strategies that use a spindle mounted probe to measure the stock on the machine and “best fit” the CAM data to match, automating setup, shortening setup times, and reducing scrap rates.
The Fusion 360 Machining Extension provides additional CAM programming tools to help you make better use of your CNC machinery. The extension, developed by Autodesk, offers flex access to unlock professional grade tools as and when you need them. By comparison, add-ins tend to be point solutions, developed by 3rd parties, that connect to the Fusion 360 API to solve a specific problem. Add-ins are less powerful and more likely to become obsolete if the 3rd party fails to update them.
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