Workholding Techniques for Machining Multiple Parts!

CNC machining multiple parts for production. Let's cover workflows with Fusion 360 CAD, CAM, and various workholding strategies to machine multiple parts in each setup!

00:00 Intro & Traditional Dual Station Vise for Production
01:16 Modular, Low Profile Dual Station Vises for Production
01:49 Multiple Work Coordinate Systems - G54 & G55
02:50 Best Practices & Tips for Machining Multiple Parts: Work Coordinate Systems
04:21 Op1: Leaving 2 Parts Machined and Ready for Op 2 & How NC Programs Can Help
05:27 Linear and Component Patterns in Fusion 360 CAM
08:03 Controlling Operation Order in Fusion 360
09:00 High Volume Machining Tips: Visibility & When Not to Pattern
09:50 Outro
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Links for this video

Tormach Dual-Station Orange Vise Production Run! WW119

Johnny 5 Part 4 - Tension/Chain Drive | WW245

G54 G55: Multiple Work Coordinate Systems with Fusion 360 and Tormach! WW147

Building Johnny 5 Robot Part 8: Toe Tip!

G54 & G55: Using Multiple Work Coordinate Systems in Fusion 360

Using NC Programs in Fusion 360: Save Time and Build Smarter Workflows

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Reach us / CNC Info:

[piccilos]

Another series like this recapping the different fusion tool paths would be great.

[cameronmccreary]

In the late 1970s and early 80s when I had a machine shop, I used to make small parts and I had a Lagun milling machine. Parts were fixtured and I had to hit the numbers exactly correct on the X and the Y axis wheels

[Thepriest]

Fixturing is a key to efficient and good machining. It can take some thought on how to do this. Good video. I did use one of your techniques from another video using our 3D printer to make an angle to machine. Worked great.

[triggerguard]

It would be great if you could utilize G52's in the post processor. That is the best of both worlds when it comes to multiple parts. Dial in your G54-G59 etc., then have infinite adjustment from part to part with G52's. I've ran as many as 286 parts on a table that way with just one G55. The other huge benefit to that method is the lack of memory that is consumed on toolpaths. One tool path that is utilized as a subroutine and just called up as many times as necessary.
I wish I could write javascript to make something like that happen.

[splitx]

I wish mitee bites screws weren't made out of paper

[michaelmartin]

Have you done any videos focused around rotary/tombstone/pallet systems? Would love to see something focused on that.

[RichardKinch]

*Gang fixturing* is a good term for this concept.

Gang fixtures must be fully *kinematic*. That is, the moving clamp force must be independently applied on each piece. Multiple pieces sharing the same holder will fail, because you cannot maintain perfect uniformity of the pieces and perfect clamp geometry. Always the slightly larger piece(s) take most of the force, and the slightly smaller receive less. Likewise there is always one clamp position that is the "good" one, and the others are weaker. Fixtures also drift and wear over repeated use. Sort of like you can't make a four-legged chair that doesn't rock, no matter how precise your technique.

In a non-kinematic gang fixture, since you don't know at run time which pieces are weakly held, the metal removal rate must be severely limited to the weakest possible result of holding force, resulting in dismal time and horsepower efficiency, sub-optimal speeds/feeds, tool wear, etc.

So stick with the kinematic gang.

[mastermoarman]

I prefer to use sub program system o the haas. You create a tool path for one tool on the part and set that as a program. Then you call g54 or what ever and next line calls the program. It runs and returns to the parent program and you call.your next off set and the program untill all offsets have been run with that tool then do it over with the next tool. Saves space(my tm1 only has 1mb) and when you edit that one program it will change for all parts unlike having to make the same edit to multiple locations(kind of error proofing.) And if dont want to run a specific offset you can just comment it out.

[alishiade]

Thanks man its a nice vedio it have alot of informations, but can you make a vidio on solidcam on how to use G54, In the fixturing systems in the same code

[senorimotor]

Awesome video! Will you make the Fusion360 files available in this video for those of us who have have an account at NYCCNC?

[bcbloc]

If you can hold it you can machine it. :-)