In the fusion360posts folder is a post-processor that can be used with Fusion360's CAM module to create DXF files that can be directly imported into LaserWorks, with support for separating out the different "layers".
Instructions vary by platform, but in Fusion360's Post Process window you can find the location for your personal user posts.
For example, on Windows this will be %APPDATA%\Autodesk\Fusion 360 CAM\Posts, but you can also specify any folder you like.
Download the file shm_laserworks_dxf.cps from this repository, and put it in that folder.
You should now be able to select this "post configuration":
The intricacies of Fusion360 CAM are beyond this documentation, so if you have any difficulties, bring them to the forum. Basically, the process is:
- Switch to the CAM module
- Create a new "Setup"
- Create a number of "Contours"
The important part of the Setup is to make sure the X and Y axes are set to match the laser - depending on how you modelled your part, the Z axis might not be "up".
For each Contour, make sure the Type is set to Laser cutting, and the Kerf is set to match your laser (in our case 0.3mm).
Because we'll be exporting a simple DXF, the feed rates are not normally used, so we've co-opted those to our cause. Set the rate to a number between 1 and 20, and that will determine the layer that this particular contour will appear as in LaserWorks.
You can add as many contours as you like, and if you give each one a different feed-rate, each will appear in LaserWorks with a different colour so you can configure the burn settings for each.
This repository also holds the plans for the Surrey & Hampshire Makerpspace laser cutter table, and a model of the laser to use in making plans for the space.
