CNC Lathe operations using modified Fusion360 output on a CNC Mill

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Published 2021-01-16

This is the first job with Fusion360 Lathe output using my CNC Mill as a lathe. My other jobs used Alibre Mill CAM output because I didn't have Lathe CAM output. That was very clumsy and time consuming.
I extensively modified the HAAS Lathe post processor to include the Y-axis and make it compatible with the Mill. Diameters had to be made Radii and blank lines and long comments had to be suppressed.
The tool offsets are held in a text file and a CNC Utility program I've written merges those with the G-code so it effectively simulates an auto toolchange Lathe.
The pecking of the #74 drill was a bit ambitious, so I need to add a slightly larger pilot hole so it doesn't jam up. You'll see it pulled the tool out of the holder right at the end.
The tooling plate locates on the Mill bed with two dowels, one of which becomes X/Y zero, the bed is Z zero. This allows it to be set up again fairly quickly at a later date once the tools have been set.
Please note, this has not been optimised for speed in any way. The machining strategy avoids side cutting as much as possible because the tool isn't really suitable for that. That's why the tool path is convoluted. I've also split machining operations into front and back to make sure the deep cuts on the front are done before support material nearer the chuck has been removed.
This is a proof of concept for using Fusion360 as the output.
The part is a One Piece Injector cone for a 16fluid Ounce/min model locomotive Steam Injector. The part is 15mm long and needs a tiny through hole to guide a taper reamer from both ends. The finished diameter is 6mm and there are three O-ring grooves.

All Comments (3)

@bluehandsvideo 3 years ago

Nice video Roger. I always enjoy watching mill turning. :)
@RobertWelchman 3 years ago

Any chance you can do a how-to video on your post processor modifications and tool change methodology?