I have used the whole lot of Mitee-Bites and convinced that I literally would not have stayed in business without them. They are that good and that important when used well. As usual, great video.
Hi John, just a quick note. I found out the hard way, that if you create a unit-less parameter with units by mistake, you can't then go back and change it. You have to delete and re-create it. It's been noted as an issue and will get fixed at some stage I hope.
With other CAD programs, a lot of parametric modeling is done using excel spreadsheets 'offline', because the formulas are a lot easier to deal with, and also have much, much more powerful options than the CAD program can handle as an expression (or the expression becomes a nightmare to try to figure out/type in.) Using logic based and rounding expressions can be very helpful for parametric modeling as well. For example, instead of having to tell your file how many of each Mitee Bite clamp you wanted to use, you can generate a formula to have one every inch, half inch, whatever, and still have them be evenly spaced. You could also have your fixture plate size be driven off of your (input value) stock size, but rounded up to the next half inch, inch, again - whatever you want. Or you could go even crazier and have it driven up to the next size of stock that you have on hand, based on a different excel spreadsheet, or database file. You can get pretty deep into this type of thing very quickly. And honestly, you can waste a ton of time 'streamlining' a process that won't save you as much time as it takes to 'automate'. There is a Fusion App for importing excel spreadsheets I've been meaning to play with, but I don't think there is anything to actually maintain the excel sheet within the part file (like there is with other programs.) I could be wrong - I still need to get into it and see how it actually works. I don't think it is as powerful as having an actual excel sheet to work with though.
Solidworks has the same thing minus the tool pathing if anybody is wondering. I'm sure you could set up a project in your CAM software to auto-recognize everything.
I use MasterCam for SolidWorks and it is really fantastic. All integrated CAD/CAM for high-end programming 5 axis. Crazy silly expensive though. Fusion360 looks like an amazing value though.
Hi John Thanks for this video I will not be using the method as you described however it will be perrect for an item I have to makes which size can be parametrically changed. thanks Regards Mark Over the pond in the UK
Matt Davis this is standard history based modelling practices. Solidworks does this as well. Driveworks is like ilogic in Inventor.. except ilogic is included in Inventor. They're both scripting based configurators which allow you to go far beyond driving features with parameters.
Patreon support, "Sponsored by Tormach", "Sponsored by American Rotary", and the fact that it's great advertising for his shop's products. John's made his videos profitable in a way that doesn't interfere with our viewing experience because he's a class act and a good businessman.
I have used the whole lot of Mitee-Bites and convinced that I literally would not have stayed in business without them. They are that good and that important when used well.
As usual, great video.
Eventhough the clamp is fully tightened The part moves in sideways(slideaway)
How to correct ?
Ok...I was not a big fan of parametric but now I'm hooked!
Perfect timing! This actually helps with the thing I e-mailed you about this morning. Thanks again for sharing!
Hi John,
Thanks for the video. I don't know Fusion 360 as well as you but I love it. It is the perfect fit for us.
Steve
Hi John, just a quick note.
I found out the hard way, that if you create a unit-less parameter with units by mistake, you can't then go back and change it. You have to delete and re-create it.
It's been noted as an issue and will get fixed at some stage I hope.
With other CAD programs, a lot of parametric modeling is done using excel spreadsheets 'offline', because the formulas are a lot easier to deal with, and also have much, much more powerful options than the CAD program can handle as an expression (or the expression becomes a nightmare to try to figure out/type in.) Using logic based and rounding expressions can be very helpful for parametric modeling as well. For example, instead of having to tell your file how many of each Mitee Bite clamp you wanted to use, you can generate a formula to have one every inch, half inch, whatever, and still have them be evenly spaced. You could also have your fixture plate size be driven off of your (input value) stock size, but rounded up to the next half inch, inch, again - whatever you want. Or you could go even crazier and have it driven up to the next size of stock that you have on hand, based on a different excel spreadsheet, or database file. You can get pretty deep into this type of thing very quickly. And honestly, you can waste a ton of time 'streamlining' a process that won't save you as much time as it takes to 'automate'. There is a Fusion App for importing excel spreadsheets I've been meaning to play with, but I don't think there is anything to actually maintain the excel sheet within the part file (like there is with other programs.) I could be wrong - I still need to get into it and see how it actually works. I don't think it is as powerful as having an actual excel sheet to work with though.
John you need to convince Jay Pierson to add models for his premade pallet fixtures.
Solidworks has the same thing minus the tool pathing if anybody is wondering. I'm sure you could set up a project in your CAM software to auto-recognize everything.
I use MasterCam for SolidWorks and it is really fantastic. All integrated CAD/CAM for high-end programming 5 axis. Crazy silly expensive though. Fusion360 looks like an amazing value though.
JetNmyFuture
Ya guy i know just paid $8000 for his, he said you could be $20,000 if you wanted
Called 'Equations, Global Variables, and Dimensions' in SolidWorks for anyone wondering. Menu>Tools>Equations.
John do you engrave notes on the fixture? Maybe the specs, fixture revision or what job the fixture is for?
Beautiful!!! Well Done!!!
Hi John
Thanks for this video I will not be using the method as you described however it will be perrect for an item I have to makes which size can be parametrically changed.
thanks
Regards
Mark Over the pond in the UK
cool video John! Thanks
Nice.. i remeber some really powerful stuff in solidworks (i think it was called driveworks) that did this sort of stuff.
Matt Davis this is standard history based modelling practices. Solidworks does this as well. Driveworks is like ilogic in Inventor.. except ilogic is included in Inventor. They're both scripting based configurators which allow you to go far beyond driving features with parameters.
Nice video ! Thanks for sharing.
John
pretty cool
Great video
John at 6.32 approx it only drills 2 holes but taps 3 ouch
Great video very interesting
Yes. at 4:33 in the video,
You can't break a tap if there is no hole to tap.
jup
How do you then use the fixture in the machine? Put it in an Orange Vise? Toe clamp to the table?
that was cool all most auto fixture-ing nice :)
Can't find a single video on how to use the machinable clamps. Why don't you make 1 :)
Does this software have full five axis capability?
Why are your videos not monetized? I never get ads before your videos.
probably because of patreon
Because youtube pay a very very very little money compare to other ways and ads are disgusting
Patreon support, "Sponsored by Tormach", "Sponsored by American Rotary", and the fact that it's great advertising for his shop's products. John's made his videos profitable in a way that doesn't interfere with our viewing experience because he's a class act and a good businessman.
Is this basically fusion's iLogic like inventor has?
Not even close to ilogic.. Just basic user parameters
Use the Hole command... extruding holes is bad CAD practice.
Scott, why is it bad CAD practice?
More Wednesday Widgets, less Fusion Friday please and thank you :)