Book Image

Making Your CAM Journey Easier with Fusion 360

By : Fabrizio Cimò
Book Image

Making Your CAM Journey Easier with Fusion 360

By: Fabrizio Cimò

Overview of this book

Downloading a piece of 3D software and shaping concepts and ideas is quite easy. However, designing feasible and cost-effective real parts from 3D models can be challenging with traditional production technologies, or even additive manufacturing. This book will give you the know-how and skills to develop your projects from ideas to physical products, and overcome these obstacles. In ‘Making Your CAM Journey Easier with Fusion 360’, you'll discover how to set up a CAM program, pick the right tool, and optimize production. You'll learn the pros and cons of different production technologies, including turning, milling, laser cutting, and 3D printing, and understand how to choose the best option based on your needs. You’ll also explore the important computer-aided manufacturing tools that Fusion 360 offers through the use of examples and best practices. By the end of this book, you’ll understand the potential issues and drawbacks of different design components and apply workarounds to avoid design flaws.
Table of Contents (26 chapters)
1
Part 1 – Implementing Turning Operations in Fusion 360
7
Part 2 – Milling with Fusion 360
13
Part 3 – Laser Cutting Using Fusion 360
17
Part 4 – Using Fusion 360 for Additive Manufacturing
22
Part 5 – Testing Our Knowledge

Managing the Limitations of FDM Printers

We just discovered that additive manufacturing is quite an incredible technology, capable of creating any shape. But despite being very flexible, 3D printing is still bound to limitations that we must consider when approaching a new part study.

In this chapter, we are going to try answering the following question: can an FDM 3D printer create every imaginable geometry? The answer is… almost. We must understand that this type of printing technique has some limitations – some related to part shape, others to material properties.

In this chapter, we will cover the three main limitations of FDM printers that we have to consider:

  • The first limitation is printing overhang areas; some geometries can be a bit challenging to print if not properly supported
  • The second limitation is bed adhesion, which is related to the first layer placement; if the contact area between the printed part and the build platform is not large...