Fusion 360 Cam Setup for CNC Plasma Cutter

[@jdsgarage701]

For more Information you can check out our website here. jdsgarage.bigcartel.com/

[@3dmakerzone75]

I'm really enjoying your plasma build series. I started building a cnc plasma table back in 2017 and it still sits incomplete in my garage shop. I had all the motion working but got hung up on the electronics stuff and the plasma interface. Now I've decided to build your simple design to get things kick started. Plans have been ordered. Thanks for taking the time to produce these videos. Please keep them coming.

[@camcutcnc]

Hi Guys, G0 or G00 is a rapid move. G1 or G01 is a linear move at Feedrate. G02 or G2 is a clockwise arc at Feedrate. G3 0r G03 is a counter clockwise arc at Feedrate. In the early days of Gcode the controllers couldnt do a circle so you would need 4 arcs to make a circle. Thanks for the video !

[@photorealm]

Excellent tutorial, I am at this stage in my build now and so far everything has just worked as advertised, thanks to your A+ explanations and attention to detail. Very fun project. You may have this, but an online forum may be cool where official users can interact with comments, upgrades, ideas and questions to take the load off of you guys some.

[@NiesenMoto]

Could you make a video on how you setup fusion 360 for notching tubing with the plasma table?

[@terrencewilsonpoopoo]

It’s only available after purchase

[@Transformers1983jd]

@@terrencewilsonpoopoo no it is not.

[@KalvinD]

I gotta say this is a super underrated video. Not just for people building the JD's garage plasma table (I am) but this is valuable knowledge in general! I've been using grbl off and on for years with my x carve and it's a great instructional and intro to grbl as well as fusion 360! Great Job!

[@noisefekt]

You don't need to do multiple copy and paste when you can use Rectangular Pattern-function. Just tell how many parts you want in which direction, Fusion will do the rest.

[@digitizer101]

Can't wait to complete my build and give this thing a test run. FYI any one else trying to decide if they should get the 3D parts when ordering I strongly suggest doing so. My calibrations on printer were all over the place and I had to reprint the parts about three times before I got them right. Side note printer is calibrated now :) Love the detailed videos thank.

[@420Myths]

would be nice to have video of getting z axis to work. ive followed guieds and edited code, figured out right distance and looks like everythings good but after a dozen times of redoing everything it failes to cut every time. :(

[@latrelllarson7815]

😅Thanks. I got as far as your first build video and bought the plans. I modified them so that the cutting surface is 4x8 and its on wheels ,so it will not to take up so much shop space. But when it came to the openbuilds CAD, it wasn't working for my needs. I just gave up, until I went back and seen that you have a video addressing the software issue. Anyways thanks for the help.

[@robert5]

I am building a 4 x 4 version and making the table rotate. This means it will be flat/level when in use but can rotate to horizontal for storage. I am using two cheap engine stands end to end with a bar across bottom to tie them together with each rotating end mounted to the 4 x 4 table. I will be able to roll it away for storage.

[@thewhitetdn]

For those who buy the plans and do the optional Z-axis addon, could you do a video on what settings to change to operate the Z-axis?

[@RuggedFish]

Whenever I try to 0 out my pierce clearance I get an top height error. Not sure how to fix it, I think it has something to do with with post procerror code.

[@michaeltorres4589]

Thanks for the video. I am new to all this computer software stuff. My question is, if I draw what you just drew or anything else. Will I have to convert the image I just finished into a DXF file, so it opens and cuts with my plasma cam?

[@roadboogalabuilds5318]

Videos like this one will sure help out when I finally get my table running 👍🏻

[@jdsgarage701]

That's exactly why we make them

[@seabreezecoffeeroasters7994]

With multiple copies in Fusion use the Rectangular pattern feature rather than copy and paste. Also under user preferences you can change the Z axis to vertical to keep your brain happy. Nice project CNC table too for those on a budget 👍

[@robert5]

"change the Z axis to vertical to keep your brain happy" thanks for that. Just watching this video was messing with my brain about the Z axis.

[@robert5]

Thanks for making this video, it clears up so much. Tried fusion 360 a long time ago and never went through enough tutorials to figure out how to generate the g code. Question, what are the implications of .004 versus .0004. .004 being four thousandths and .0004 being four ten thousandths? Guess I can test this when I get to the point I am doing it myself. Sorry for being picky, I am a machinist [retired] but still machining. I am building a plasma cutter myself. 48 x 48 so I can cut 1/2 of a 4 x 8 sheet at once.

[@dlrgarage6744]

I recently found your channel and it’s awesome. I have really been wanting a CNC machine,more out of necessity than anything. They are just too expensive. I almost bought the arc droid, just knew there had to be a better Way. So just wanted to say thank you and your dad for sharing the cnc build, the info on the software and how to use it. Thanks 🙏

[@thetedster16]

Might be a simple question, but how does it turn the torch on and off without holding the trigger?

[@millarfarewell5343]

Excellent video. When will you have a G-code generator for the Hypertherm 45 XP? Or can I use the one from Langmuir Systems?

[@MegaAdacho]

"A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: Timed out waiting for packet header : Make sure the device is in BOOTLOADER MODE. Your computer failed to put it into Bootloader mode automatically. You can enter bootloader mode by: Press and hold down MODE, the Press RESET while still holding MODE. Let go of RESET, then wait a second or two and let go of MODE. Best performed right after starting the Firmware Flashing operation." Why i cant upgrade firmware by OpenBuilds CONTROL on my arduino and CNC shield?? Some sugestion?

[@JefferyJaeger-ky6kl]

Is there other design software that can be used to create the g-code? Fusion 360 is an industry standard, I know, but for 2-D design it is way more complex than I need it to be.

[@68macun]

What book would you recommend for a beginner

[@georgechambers3197]

I've never seen that gcode sender before. Do you possibly have a link for it? Also on your plasma cutter what size tube are you using, I couldn't find a reference to it? Thanks for the video!

[@georgechambers3197]

Geeze, I feel dumb. If I'd have read the show notes I wouldn't have had to ask a dumb question!

[@jdsgarage701]

Plasma cutter uses 2" x 0.065" square tube.

[@georgechambers3197]

Thanks, I think I'm going to be ordering the plans and 3D printed parts soon. I have to electronics already so just need the rest.

[@Jeff-lb2by]

Is there any known reason why even when smoothing is selected, my gcode file has not I or J its still just a bunch of line segments?

[@jonny4182]

I have the plans and went to buy the metal but all the local shops have is .0625. Theyvsaid no one carries actual. 065 . Will this work

[@jdsgarage701]

Yes this will work.

[@the_edge_of_time]

Awesome

[@PM.al.whatmough]

Quick tip, when you were selecting the boundaries you could have picked select same planar face to get them all with one selection

[@jdsgarage701]

That's how we normally do it and Fusion is smart enough to know where to put the kerf compensation. Just did it this way to demonstrate the directional arrows.

[@PM.al.whatmough]

@@jdsgarage701 :-)

[@PM.al.whatmough]

@@jdsgarage701 Great video BTW

[@blacktopmods]

How do you get the free fusion version? Is it just a trial?

[@Earthy0]

Great guide guys! Keep the awesome videos coming. 👍😎

[@772777777777777]

What controller are you using on your plasma... Is your machine a diy build?

[@jdsgarage701]

Yes this is a diy machine that used an Arduino uno

[@slagmaker6780]

@@jdsgarage701 Do you have firmware for the Arduino Uno? Is that part of the plans? This is looking like an interesting option for some basic CNC plasma work(home/hobby).

[@jsaction33]

@@slagmaker6780 The machine run on open-source firmware GRBL 1.1

[@slagmaker6780]

@@jsaction33 Thanks for the clarification. I missed noticing that from watching some of the videos. Will be looking into this a bit to see what I want to create for my plasma cutter table.

[@Blou55]

great video, thanks. but it is a lot of stock for the first time. dont you have a step by step proceeding list as a reminder. thanks very much. i have the plans, i received most electronic, will begin cutting pipes for structure soon.

[@hetavparikh9488]

Hi, can somebody plese tell me how and where can I learn about Arduino coding for this project. I am trying to help one gentleman who is currently working on it.

[@mauricesteer8023]

I think there is a video link in the plans on flashing the firmware to the arduino via openbuilds software

[@hetavparikh9488]

I will check, thank you for the help, appreciated!@@mauricesteer8023

[@andyb7754]

Interesting video but it's blurry. Thank you for your videos. I bought your plans and someday I'll build it! LOL!

[@jonnirc6843]

Thanks Man.

[@flydr2]

great info... thanks

[@jamescole3152]

Yeah I like the video. Just starting to learn the CAM part. I have started a project in Fusion. Do I need to extrude it for the plasma cutter? Or does it not matter? The part does not get an outside cut, just inside holes. The outside is already cut. What I keep noticing is that Fusion 360 decides the tool path. Why can't I decide the tool path? You did select the start point. But I don't want to have the torch move over the top of a smaller piece that has been cut and might have tipped up and the torch runs into it. With such a simple tool path on plasma cutters it seems like the user should decide.

[@jdsgarage701]

You don't have to extrude it. Near the end of the video there is an explanation on how to make the torch not move over parts.

[@Freetheworldnow]

Why using Fusion and not Sheet Cam or Plasma Cam?

[@alanjones306]

The video are great, but that dam background music walks all over the voice instructions and is really annoying. Silence is golden in this case. Please give the viewer a way to turn off the background music.

[@ravenhhca]

Fusion 350 is a proven product for Plasma, Alibre not so much.