【CNC Milling Guide】Snapmaker × Fusion 360: 3D Model Machining!
3D CNC machining made easy! This guide covers everything you need to know about end mill settings, making it perfect for beginners. Not only for 2D planar machining, but by combining Snapmaker with Fusion 360 CAD modeling software, you can achieve high-precision 3D machining from 2D sketches to industrial-grade models, much more easily than you might imagine. We'll walk you through the basic operations in detail.
The CNC function of the Snapmaker 3-in-1 (3D Printing / Laser Engraving / CNC Carving) is often thought to be limited to 2D planar machining, but that's not the case. By combining Snapmaker with Fusion 360 CAD modeling software, you can create 3D models from 2D sketches. Let's start by learning the basic operations.
1. Download Fusion 360 CAD Software (Free Download Here)
Import the tool library file for Snapmaker into Fusion 360's "Tool Library" (Manage > Tool Library). By using the pre-configured tool setting files, you can save the time and effort of registering and setting up tools from scratch, significantly improving work efficiency.
2. Load the tool library file (Free Download Here)
Open Tool Library > Local > Library > Import Tool Library and import the tool library file corresponding to the end mill you are using.
2. Basic Operations of Fusion 360 CAD Software
1. Create a 2D sketch
Draw a sketch according to the shape you want to create. Even if the final shape is a hexagon, it's enough to create a rough outline first. Click "Create Sketch" and select the XY plane to create a new sketch.
・Polygon Tool
Create dropdown menu > Polygon > Circumscribed Polygon
・Circle Tool: Center Diameter Circle
When drawing with the mouse, dimensions are displayed in real-time, allowing you to create circles by entering the required diameter.
・Tangent Constraint: Tangent
By simply clicking on the two edges you want to be tangent, you can constrain them to be precisely tangent.
・Mirror Tool: Mirror
Many industrial products have symmetrical shapes. By drawing only one side and then using the mirror tool, you eliminate the need to repeat the same work, significantly improving design efficiency.
・Trim Tool: Trim
Once you've connected shapes with tangents and completed your desired form, you can use the trim tool to remove unnecessary lines.
When creating original shapes, you cannot use the models provided in the software as they are. You will combine basic shapes to design your desired form.
2. Create a 3D model
Select all planar shapes in the sketch and use the "Extrude" tool to input the actual thickness of the material to be machined.
Tip: It's recommended to set a value slightly larger than the actual material thickness to ensure the material is cut through completely. By using the same "Extrude" function, you can also add more sketches to the surface of the 3D model to create three-dimensional structures such as protrusions and depressions.
Tip: It's recommended to set a value slightly larger than the actual material thickness to ensure the material is cut through completely. By using the same "Extrude" function, you can also add more sketches to the surface of the 3D model to create three-dimensional structures such as protrusions and depressions.
3. Load the tool library file
Import the tool library corresponding to the end mill you are using.
(Tool Library > Local > Library > Import Tool Library)
(Tool Library > Local > Library > Import Tool Library)
4. Set the coordinates and origin
・Select Setup > New Setup to create a new setup.
・In the right-hand menu, select "Select Z axis / plane & X axis" from "Orientation" and confirm that the model's Z-axis aligns with Fusion 360's coordinate system. Also, ensure that the machining surface is facing upwards.
5. 2D Contour Machining
Select 2D > 2D Pocket and choose the tool to be used from "Tool" in the right-hand menu.
To prevent the cut-off part from moving during machining and affecting other machined areas, use the "Tabs" function to secure the material.
Select Tabs > Tab Positioning > At points and manually set the tab positions by clicking the bottom of the model's perimeter with the mouse.
Select Tabs > Tab Positioning > At points and manually set the tab positions by clicking the bottom of the model's perimeter with the mouse.
