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

Understanding tessellation parameters

First of all, what is tessellation? Tessellation is a process where 3D CAD models are converted into 3D mesh models. This conversion is needed for 3D printing in order to calculate toolpaths.

In the following figure, on the left, we have a solid CAD model where the circle profiles are perfectly rounded, and on the right, we converted the model into a mesh via tessellation:

Figure 17.25: CAD geometry versus mesh geometry

Figure 17.25: CAD geometry versus mesh geometry

The main difference between these two types of 3D geometries is how they are defined; CAD models are based on rigorous math equations and they can describe every shape without losing details. Mesh models, on the other hand, are based on a finite number of vertices and faces connected by edges.

Long story short, tessellation always loses details in the conversion process; that’s why it is important to understand how to set it properly. If the tessellation is too rough, we may end up with...