This guide teaches you how to generate a simple CNC model with Autodesk Fusion 360, and proceed to CNC cutting with your Snapmaker.
If you intend to follow this through, then you will need a cylindrical piece of material that can be CNC cut, with a minimum diameter of 85 millimeters (mm). Alternatively, you can practice modeling with this guide on Fusion 360, and design a project of your own. Happy making!
1. Configuration
1.1 Visit https://snapmaker.com/product/snapmaker-original/downloads, and download the Configuration Files & Tool Libraries.
1.2 Unzip the downloaded file snapmaker-fusion360-configuration-20200519. Move the tool libraries (in .tools format) to Users > Username > AppData > Roaming > Autodesk > CAM 360 > libraries > Local. And move the post process file (in .cps format) to Users > Username > AppData > Roaming > Autodesk > Fusion 360 CAM > Post.
Note: This guide uses Windows OS as an example. As such, the filepath specified here might be slightly different from that on a mac OS.
2. Designing A Sketch
2.1 Launch Autodesk Fusion 360. In the DESIGN Workspace, click Create Sketch.
2.2 Select the TOP plane.
2.3 Create a circle.
Go to Create > Circle > Center Diameter Circle. Place the center point at the (0,0) coordinates. Put the diameter at 80 mm.
2.4 Add depth to the sketch.
Go to Solid, and click Extrude. Put the depth at 10 mm, and click OK.
2.5 Add text on the sketch.
2.5.1 Click Select, and click the top surface.
2.5.2 Go to Solid, and click Create Sketch to create another circle inside the previous one. Put the diameter at 50 mm.
2.5.3 Select the inner circle, and click CREATE > Text.
2.5.4 Type in the text you want to cut, place text below the path, and click OK.
2.5.5 Add depth to the text. Go to Solid > Extrude, select the text, put the Distance at -1 mm, and click OK.
3. CNC Modeling
3.1 Setup
3.1.1 Switch to the Manufacture Workspace. Go to MILLING > SETUP, and click New Setup.
3.1.2 Pivot the model to see if the Z Axis is facing up. If not, tick Flip Z Axis on the side panel.
3.1.3 On the side panel, go to Stock, put the Stock Side Offset and Stock Top Offset at 0 mm, and click OK.
3.2 2D Face Contour
3.2.1 Go to 2D, and click 2D Contour. On the side panel, go to Tool > Select > Local > Import. Import the Snapmaker tool library files. From Snapmaker 2.0 CNC Tool Library, select the 1.5mm Flat end mill.
3.2.2 On the side panel, go to Geometry > Contour Selection, and select the contour face. Tick the Tabs, and put the Tab Width, Tab Height, and Tab Distance at 3 mm, 1 mm, and 50 mm respectively. Click OK.
3.2.3 On the side panel, go to Passes, tick Multiple Depths, and click OK.
3.3 Text Engraving
3.3.1 Go to 2D > Engrave. On the side panel, click Select > Local > Snapmaker Original CNC Tool Library. Select the 3.175 V-Bit.
3.3.2 On the side panel, go to Geometry > Contour Selection. Select all the text.
3.3.3 On the side panel, go to Passes, tick Multiple Depths, and click OK.
3.3.4 Go to Actions, click Simulate > Start the Simulation.
3.4 Go to Actions > Post Process. Select the Generic Snapmaker (Marlin) / snapmaker as the post processor, change the filepath or file name as you need, and click Post and save the file to your output folder.
Note: If Generic Snapmaker (Marlin) / snapmaker does not appear on the list, go back to step 1.2 and try again.
4. Starting CNC Cutting
Copy the saved .cnc file to a USB drive, and insert the drive to the Controller of your Snapmaker Original or Snapmaker 2.0. You are now ready to go.