Fusion 360 - CAM Duplication Options

This video will demonstrate a couple of different ways to duplicate toolpaths to run multiple parts without having to CAM each individual part. The methods shown in this video are WCS duplication and Component Pattern.
Want to learn more about Fusion 360 CAD and CAM? Visit www.nyccnc.com where you can sign up for hands on training classes with me or subscribe to online learning content!

[@MachinedInWood]

5 years later and this is still some of the best Fusion information on KZbin. Great work!

[@matiasgoinheix366]

Man this is golden information, you have the best Fusion tutorials, hope your channel blows up soon!

[@robertgaut9396]

I didn't know about any of this. Awesome! I'm pretty new to CAD/CAM and machining in general - I built my own CNC router just over a year ago - so your videos are always helpful. I'm always excited to see you post because I always learn something new. Thanks for doing these tutorials. I'm looking forward to the next one!

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Hi Robert. Glad you found it useful. That's pretty cool about your router. I wouldn't even know how to begin to build one. Just published a new video showing the 3D surfacing toolpaths for a 1911 pistol grip. I'm glad you find some value in these videos. It's good to know they are being watched and are helpful.

[@jbrownson]

your videos are so useful, whenever I search for a fusion thing and see your logo I know I'll get my question answered and learn 3 new things I didn't know I needed. Thanks

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Thanks for letting me know. I think you are going to like 2024. I've been working on getting KZbin videos recorded so I can release them on a regular schedule without being in a rush trying to get them done while working on my regular work for customers at the same time. Be sure to follow my bog at www.mechaincaladvantage.com/blog where I will also be publishing things as well this year.

[@poetac15]

I’m mad at myself for not watching this earlier. Amazing tips that will save me time

[@jasonshrieves4467]

Thank you! This has just increased my productivity significantly!

[@jaumemm]

The thing is when you have different parts in the same fixture and want to share tools... To many setups to do... I hope the Fusion Team will improve that. Nice video , and remember that when you have multiparts (same parts) you can also make a pattern. Great video!

[@spiritracing8151]

Thank you so much. All I could find was vice work offset videos. This is so helpful.

[@NJC973]

Very helpful information, Thank you for creating this video!

[@JohnnyMOV]

awesome video! perfect explanation!

[@MakerMinded]

great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@TroubledTimes2024]

You do a remarkable job of explaining Kevin.

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Ken Shea Thanks Ken!

[@MarkRyanAB]

I didn't know about the component pattern. Thanks!

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Mark Ryan Hi Mark. Yeah, it is a pretty cool option. It even works if the components aren’t at the same s height. Say if you had a more complex stacked fixture plate.

[@mukmusicdiary]

You are a god. I spent months trying to find this...

[@DocMicha]

The last info saved my day. Thanks, really easy, if you are aware...

[@dougcrist9908]

Thanks!!! Just save me 4 hours of tedious work

[@nightrain912]

Thank you, it's super useful for me!

[@davidbranham3042]

This was super helpful! Any chance I could talk you into doing a video on how you would make a fixture plate for a pattern like that I am working on making my first fixture for a similar setup and have been really struggling with it. Thanks

[@y_fixzi3d725]

Much thanks. It was very helpful.

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for the comment and I hope to see you back here.

[@colehawkins6623]

Excellent video

[@LucasIsBusy]

Hugely Helpful. Thank you. :D

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Hi Lucas. Hopefully it will help you be less busy 😁 Thanks for the comment.

[@vahpr]

So cool, thank you!

[@drivingjudgment]

Very usefull, thank you very much!

[@bamboostedgarage9955]

Thank you! Would you be willing to walk through the cad side of programming the fixture plate ie of that last part of this video with multiple parts.

[@ronanmcgann430]

Hi, this video has already helped me, but I was wondering if there is a way to have stocks of different sizes in the same setup? for instance, one stock would be for one component and a different sized stock would be for a different component. I am fairly new to CAM so sorry if its an obvious answer

[@stevegroen8036]

Excellent tutorial. Under Component Pattern, when do use Add New Pattern vs. New Pattern?

[@qcnck2776]

Thanks Kevin, for showing the WCS offset quirk. Makes sense to make 1 the default. Not sure why Fusion doesn't do this.

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

qCNC K I’m not 100% sure why. I’m glad there is a pretty easy solution though. Thanks

[@coopshopdesigns4890]

Great stuff

[@joshlacroix7315]

I noticed when you did the component pattern, the two components at the end in the 90deg rotated orientation are essentially "mirrored" opposite each other. When you applied the component pattern, from what I could see from the toolpath lines, the toolpaths do not appear to be "mirrored". Would that cause any issues? Could it be adjusted in the pattern? Thanks

[@robllewellyn]

Immense... Time savers.

[@johnagorman]

that's next level stuff

[@MR.KNOWITALL1982]

Awesome!! thanks

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for letting me know.

[@sunilsaxena5283]

Good idea and good thought to show a video like this for multiple work offsets, but conclusion was what fusion can do but not exactly how to do it. It should have been long & more elaborate to understand better

[@pacmangsxr750]

THANK YOU

[@michelrigaud9552]

OH MY GOD ! THANK YOU!

[@garretehrick6137]

Hi, quick question! So do you just set in, for example, Mach3, where G54, G55, G56, etc are located then? Doing what you did in Fusion simply writes the G-Code to machine each part at its designated WCS, but I'd need to actual define those, or zero out the machine at each one before starting the actual job?

[@garretehrick6137]

Figured it out in NYC CNC - and my assumption was right. You set the actual location of G54, G55, etc in the actual controller program (Mach3 for me) by entering which WCS you're defining and then zeroing it there, one at a time. Following this instructional in Fusion 360 will simply generate G-Code that's copy pasted with the tool being driven off "G54, G55, etc" - which have no definition in Fusion, they are defined when you zero them on the actual CNC one at a time.

[@martinwootton8422]

Hi, new to this. Ok at doing a simple 3D model (coaster with 2d pocket for filling with resin etc), and understand the last part of the video re the component duplication for the tool path, but cant figure out how you got the multiple models on the screen and positioned them in the first plave to then do the tool path duplication, Thanks in advance

[@GoForTheJugular1]

Is there a a way to choose in what order the pattern is machined? Slows my processes way down when it rapids across the whole table rather than to a part next to the last finished.

[@dannirr]

Thanks Kevin ;)

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Thank you for the idea! Now I have to think of another class so you can come visit us at NYC CNC one more time.

[@mathaeis]

Thank you for this, this is really great information! I do have a question about the second option with the pattern, though. Is it possible to do what you did *without* having the duplicates already in place? Like, I modeled something fairly simple (it's a short disc with a pattern of holes in it, meant for a filter of sorts). I was planning on CNCing one of them out of acrylic, just to make sure it worked, and then after I get everything dialed in, I wanted to make a bunch of them. So I was initially searching for "how do I tell me machine to do the same operation again, but offset it in each time by ___ in X and ___ in Y" basically making a grid of these discs on whatever size acrylic sheet I have? If there is no way to do that, I guess my question would be, what is the dead-simplest way to take my single, complete object, and make duplicates of it in a way that will give me the starting point that you used here for you second method?

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Hi Matheis. There is a way to do that. Right click on the toolpath and select add to new pattern. You can then create a linear or rectangular pattern of the original. What you can’t do with that option is change the orientation of the toolpath to match the object orientation.

[@elijahcbr6009]

Hell yes!! Thank you.

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Glad you found this one useful. Thanks for letting me know.

[@elijahcbr6009]

@MechanicalAdvantage Dude, all your stuff is awesome and has saved me multiple times. Hope to take a class one day.

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

@@elijahcbr6009 keep an eye on my blog and this channel. The next round of classes will be listed on the website and I want to fill them up. I’m offering a good discount on the class and throwing in 2 free hours of support with every class purchased. No one is going to touch the value of that offer.

[@amymiano737]

Thank you this is very helpful. I have a question; How do you edit the toolpath after you have made it into a component toolpath?

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Amy Miano In the operations browser there will be a component pattern folder. Expand that fielder and all the original toolpaths will be listed there. Change any of those toolpaths and the component pattern will update as well.

[@jacobwiertsema4784]

Is there a way that you can break these tool paths down into subroutines? I want to use the same method you used in the 2nd method. The only problem is that my machine won’t be able to store that much data.

[@matthewmagnaghi154]

Cool video. I'm running across an issue..I have 30 components on a grid but 12 bodies turned off as That is an area I am clamping for now. While hiding those bodies I was able to pick holes to drill no problem.(By diameter) But going into pattern mode and picking by Component, it is trying to machine the parts that are hidden. (Using 2D Engrave, FYI) I can figure out some work arounds, but wanted to see if there is an easier solution. thanks

[@phillipmarks1135]

The second tecnique doesn't work for me. Auto, no auto, in Component Pattern it never recognizeds/generates toolpaths for the other parts.. :/ Anyone else?

[@TRAKmanFlorida]

same here

[@mistryrajan5999]

Hi , man how about post a video for fixtures to holde a complex or some 3d surfacing part for the second operation..

[@davidbranham9268]

On the 2nd part of the video where you had all of parts duplicated in the pattern for machining in a fixture plate. Would you use only one wcs on one of the parts or corner of your fixture or would they each get their own wcs. If you could do a more indepth multiple part fixture plate video that would be awesome. I have been looking all over and trying to figure it out on my own without any success. Thanks for the excellent quality videos!

[@geewillikers5342]

He is using multiple offsets. He explains this at 2:30

[@snyderhaus]

Curious how you duplicated these components.. Do you happen to have another video that shows a full end to end flow of this?

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

I don’t. I used rectangular pattern and selected by component. The two on the ends were manually placed and positioned using joints.

[@3073Sean]

Bro, thank you so much for doing this vid. For some reason mine is not recognizing the other components. So do you have these as separate components with separate bodies? Right now, I have 25 separate components and it's just not working. Any ideas?

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Are you sure they are a component and not a body? Are the all the same component? Meaning you see in the bleeder Part:1, Part:2, Part:3 etc and not part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4? The second thing is, if you do have components, did you select your seed component so it can find the target components?

[@3073Sean]

@@MechanicalAdvantage First, thank you so much for the reply so quickly. You truly are giving back to a new machinist. I have found the bug that created the issue hidden in one partial sentence in a fusion forum. It was more like a bullet point. You can NOT pattern bodies then turn them to components and get the CAM patterning to work. Prior to patterning the body, it has to be turned to a component, then patterned, only then will CAM patterning work. Even though I found the answer, I can't say thank you enough for the help. Sean

[@jenspetersen5865]

One thing I would like to see is multiple discrete parts. Ex. We make a machine that contains different 5 parts. Say they would all fit inside an aluminum block of 100mmX200mmX60mm. How would you go about milling one side and then the other

[@gford6273]

It looks like the two end pieces that are mirrored, one has an incorrect tool path? How would you fix that? Spin the part in the fixture?

[@jaxnaturals]

I need to run multiple parts like in the second part of the video. My program for 1 part file size is 18k. I have an older machine and only have 32k available in the bubble memory. Is there a way to loop back the code on the first part and only changing the x/y value in the g code to keep the file small? Trying to run 20 parts at once

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Good question. I don’t think so. But let me check to with a few autodesk CAM contacts to see if there is a way.

[@fernandoprieto1340]

The tutorial is pretty neat. I just hope you would have explained how you magically replicated the models, ¿did you do it in the design module? ¿did you duplicate components or just bodies? I really hoped you wouldn't have skipped those parts

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Hi Fernando. In order for this style of patterning to work, the items have to be components. I did a rectangular pattern for 15 of the items. The two that are sideways were placed with joints.

[@pprotory]

Wish you would elaborate on the component pattern specifically when it comes to using the same wcs. For more complex parts would you be calling each sub component as a sub program? Often on a fixture you have only one wcs offset

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

pprotory Let’s make that happen. This sounds like one of those fun deep topics. Send me an email to [e-mail] and we’ll deep dive this in a future video.

[@pprotory]

@@MechanicalAdvantage Awesome! I will shoot you an email right now.

[@sestosynergy]

Can the components be slight different dimensions as long as the tool-paths are adaptable to those changes?

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Hi Lorenzo. No, in this case they have to be tied to the same component. If the component were a different size that would mean it wasn’t identical and this method wouldn’t work.

[@123ewess]

how did you positionned your pièce perfecty like you did? I strugle with this part of the production on fusion 360

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

I used a combination of pattern and joints. The parts that are uniform in spacing and direction were done using a pattern. The two odd ducks were placed using joints.

[@jc4523]

Can you process 2 or more tool at the same time? for example an adaptive an contour?

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

No. But you can created a derived operation to turn a 2D adaptive into a 2D contour, etc.

[@willsmith9213]

Question. Ok I make a sign that’s 6x10 but my CBC can do 12x20. How can I copy the layout. To make more that one at the same time

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Sorry will, I didn't see your question. You can pattern your toolpaths to fit 12 x 20 space. You just make one large piece of stock and pattern the toopaths as a linear pattern.

[@kyleblakely2090]

Did you pattern the component and then rotate the last two to fit?

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Kyle Blakely Hi Kyle. Yeah, I sort of hacked this one together to show the component pattern. I patented the majority of the components using a rectangular pattern. The last two I placed and used the move command to get them into place.

[@kyleblakely2090]

Ok thanks! is there a specific way components have to be patterened in order for the cam pattern to work? I will try it out and see what happens! Thanks for sharing! Kyle

[@nikoskoutsogiannis239]

how you would involve and probe measuring in both variants?

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Hi Nikos. For the first part of the video, you would use the probe to teach the machine G54 for the first part, G55 for the second, and G56 for the third. In the second part of the video, you would only need to probe in G54 and then you would rely on the fixture plate to set the location of each of the remaining pieces. If that doesn't make sense, let me know and I'll give it another shot at explaining.

[@triggerguard1]

I'm going to assume that when this posted out in the processor, you ended up with only one work coordinate (G54-G59) ? I've been using G52's for work positioning to do up to 200 pieces at a time on a machine with only one work coordinate, and each operation becomes a sub program that just repeats each time it's called up to do so. I've ran nearly all CAM programs out there, and none have been able to utilize this feature, which is a shame. Perhaps an additional video to compliment what you have here, would be showing how you could pick up one of those components to machine half way through the program, as if a tool broke and you didn't want to remachine all of the components. I'm curious what would be the best method for that in Fusion 360? Excellent videos by the way. I'm learning a lot of tricks. My programming career started out with a calculator and notepad about 30 years ago. CAM has sure came a long way.

[@matiasgoinheix366]

I'm about to test this technique, but I'm going with the component duplication. I haven't wrapped my head around the WCS yet. I just build a DIY CNC, it's not like I'm running a high end system or know the stuff. How was programming 30 years ago? What type of machines did you use?

[@triggerguard1]

@@matiasgoinheix366 I started out running a 1985 Mori Seiki MV Junior with a Fanuc 10M controller. I then moved on to Haas in 1992 when they were first came out and have since ran Matsura, Mazak, Okuma, Hardinge and a ton of others. All that being said, code is code and very little has changed, other than some canned cycles that are proprietary to machine brands. Machines and their capabilities, as well as CAM programs is what has really evolved. CAM programs are great, but knowing what is happening behind the scenes is what separates the men from the boys....

[@matiasgoinheix366]

@@triggerguard1 I need to learn more about it. I feel that all I'm learning is like driving in auto while I should be driving stick shift. Any book recommendation for a beginner?

[@andrew_the_machinist]

What about multiple ops? 1st op in a G54 vise and 2nd op in a G55 vise. So every time the doors open a finished part is coming out.

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Keep watching videos :) I think this one shows what you are after. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2i0lJd9m9B4hMU

[@markgatchell942]

Hello, sorry Kevin a little off-topic. I see the same part duplicated but I am interested in knowing how to layout different pieces that need to be cut out of a piece of plywood.

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

That will be a more manual process, at least for now. Do you know about the Fusion App Store? I believe there is an app in there that will sort of arrange your pieces in a flat orientation for you.

[@markgatchell942]

@@MechanicalAdvantage thanks for the reply, I will have a look tonight. I created a piece of plywood the size I need 8 foot by four foot and have imported the pieces into it, but the holes in the imported pieces automatically get filled in. I'm guessing by the plywood component. I am not sure. It is amazing what these programs can do. I enjoy your videos, you are very clever. Keep them up.

[@danielfurora3887]

Ok thanks, but how my machine will know were the duplicated parts are. Do I copy and duplicate them in a design tab? I used to set stock in CAM not drawing it, how will it duplicate? I want to put stock in particular places on the machine. It's not clear for me were to start.

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

This method is best used when you have something like a fixture plate to locate all your parts. The stock needs to be relatively close to the position on the machine to match the CAM. The toolpath is copied exactly from the first part and piece of stock.

[@furoraguitars]

@@MechanicalAdvantage thank you for quick reply. I want to cut two guitar necks using same toolpaths. I fix stock on a router table and draw the stock only. Since its flat wood no fixtures other than doublestick tape and steel pins are involved. I have enough material to locate it within some tolerance. Do I have to copy the "model" with drawn stock in design? Or I have one model and duplicate wcs as you shawn? Still I'm confused when I set up exact location of a model on a machine table. Sorry for such simple and silly question. Thank you!

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

@@furoraguitars You have a couple of options. You could place the component/body twice and the. Select both models in your setup. Then machine away all the stock etc. You could place one model and then define the stock as being large enough for two parts. The seemingly obvious answer to the problem would be to program one part and then mirror the toolpaths, but then that changed the direction of cut for the mirrored toolpaths. You could also possibly use circular patter. That won’t reverse the cutting direction but may not give you exactly what you are after. You can also do a linear copy of the toolpath on CAM to do an exact duplication with no mirroring.

[@syifahamzah7270]

why it not works when Im doing? wht my mistake?

[@dirtkickersandarrowheadlic9317]

when I try this with other hidden components they show up when its time to choose my source and screws everything up. any workaround?

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

You will see an option to automatically pick the targets or do do so manually. You should have control as to what source you want to start with.

[@dirtkickersandarrowheadlic9317]

@@MechanicalAdvantage does each part need to be its own component or can they be duplicated bodies

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

@@dirtkickersandarrowheadlic9317 They have to be components. It won't work with bodies.

[@dirtkickersandarrowheadlic9317]

@@MechanicalAdvantage Ok got my bodies as components but still no good. when i select my target it snaps to the component but doesnt show the new toolpath like yours. is this version specific?

[@ZETTAJOULES]

Component pattern AND 2 sided milling? Suggestions? A new video?

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Not a bad idea. When you create the component pattern, notice that Automatic is selected initially. If you uncheck automatic you can select your source component and your target components so it doesn't automatically pick every component in the design.

[@TRAKmanFlorida]

Is this an option in Fusion? If so, what is the option called and how much is it? Thank you

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

It’s a available in core Fusion. $495 per year USD.

[@TRAKmanFlorida]

@@MechanicalAdvantage that I have. It just will not work. Everything is components. I have toolpath on my first part but it will not propagate to the others. Frustrating. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Are each of the components the same name? For instance, Bracket:1, Bracket:2, Bracket:3, Bracket:4, Bracket:5 where the number represents the instance number for the component?

[@TRAKmanFlorida]

@@MechanicalAdvantage yes, each body has it's own name

[@TRAKmanFlorida]

each component, I meant

[@seancollins9745]

crashes when I attempt it

[@seabass1015]

you don't mention how it affects stock. isn't this essential?

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

When using this method, you would have an individual piece of stock for each instance of the part. So whatever the stock looks like for the first part, all the rest of the stock pieces would look the same.

[@sunilsaxena5283]

For someone who is interested in a particular idea would not mind to be a bit longer or elaborate rather short and incomplete

[@MechanicalAdvantage]

Hi Sunil. Let me know what you see that I didn't cover it and I'll make sure to cover that in a future video. Thanks for the comment.

[@sunilsaxena5283]

@@MechanicalAdvantage you make grt videos & this was a subject on which I haven't seen any videos , all I meant was that explanation was too fast & quick as if it is to showcase fusion 360 rather tell or teach

[@youvyou2491]

Well....ain't that great to know