I want to record a few things I’ve learned about setting up tool and post processor libraries in Fusion 360 that might save the next person some time.
Specific issues I’ve found so far this guide aims to correct:
File locations are wrong for MacOS (on the Autodesk site itself!)
SM nor some Autodesk articles do not mention F360 Cloud library features which are super helpful if you run Fusion from multiple computers.
SM includes a “tool library” file in the download page, yet does not document how to use that file.
Getting Started
Even though it has some issues, I do recommend reviewing the SM manual, CNC section before proceeding:
You will also need to download the Configuration Files & Tool Libraries from the SM Downloads page
Post Processor Installation
Mac or Windows – do yourself a favor and ignore this article (only mentioned as it’s higher in Google search results AND linked to from SM manual):
Instead, follow the instructions in this article to upload your .cps file (which you can download from Snapmaker here) to a Cloud post folder.
Skip the Mac or Windows sections and follow the Cloud Installation steps which I’ll paste in part below. Why? Because there is no reason in recent F360 versions to use a “local post processor”. They force you to use their cloud service anyway, so you may as well benefit from it.
Cloud Installation
Launch Fusion 360.
Go to your Profile Name in the top right corner -> “Preferences”.
Go to the “General” -> “Manufacture” settings.
Make sure that “Enable Cloud Libraries” is activated.
Save the Preferences.
Navigate to “Assets” in the Data Panel.
Double click the “Assets” > “CAMPosts” folder to enter it.
Use the Upload button to upload the desired post processor from the local machine to the “Assets” > “CAMPosts” folder.
Tool Library Install
The steps are very similar to the previous section, but instead upload your .tools file to the “CAMTools” folder. You can find the longer version here:
This is the only bit of sense in all the advice on using Fusion 360 and getting the Snapmaker 2 configuration installed. Absolutely great.
There is just one more thing you have to do.
When you go into “Post Process”, Snapmaker will not show in the dropdown of devices until you click on Setup and choose Cloud Posts.
Also completely new to CNC, waiting for my machine and trying to sort CNC out before it comes. I Have used Fusion and 3D printed for years but this CNC stuff is so different. Way to many variables and configuration options.
That video is a great find, explains the cloud post stuff and all with a bit of fun rather than dry commentary though I will probably need to get back to the dry stuff to get a handle on all the options.
I loaded the Snapmaker tool library following Snapmaker instructions (excellent)
I loaded the Snapmaker post-processor library following Autodesk Engineer (Lars Christensen) instructions (using the default user location) noticed that his instructions are different from Autodesk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY8e4un-wm0&feature=youtu.be]
@MCJJ I had to add it. It’s similar somewhat to adding tools from scratch in that you need to specify a bunch of numbers. Maybe I’ll write it up someday but not thinking to do that soon.
@MCJJ You dont actually need a machine, it just brings tools and posts together but it isn’t required. As long as you have the tools and post available you are good to go with CNC.
In the Configuration Files & Tool Libraries folder from the SM Downloads page, the post processing file you’re referring to is the snapmaker.cps file or the snapmaker-baxis.cps file? Or do you need both?
with some autodeak help io made a G code on fusion but when i tried to use it the machine tried to push the bit thorugh the table. i had the origin set up. can any one tell me where i went wrong.
also tried to down load from manual.snapmaker.com the site was blocked by virus software not sure why.
