Discovering the Tool Library and Custom Tools

In this chapter, we are going to discover the built-in tool library of Fusion 360 and how to import new tools to use in our machining strategies. However, unfortunately, Fusion 360 doesn’t come with many turning tools inside the default library.

Are we forced to only use these tools? Of course not!

We have several options to expand our toolset, all of which we will explore in this chapter. This includes creating a tool from scratch, an option that is quite time-consuming but allows for the highest flexibility.

Another option we will explore is importing an entirely new library alongside the default tool library. This will give us the tools we need but also many more tools we don’t. The other option we will explore is using a third-party plugin.

The goal of this chapter is to get you used to multiple new environments where you can find useful resources about tools and their geometry.

Do not underestimate the...

Technical requirements

To follow along with this chapter, you need to have read most of the previous chapters; the first chapter is mandatory, but the second chapter can be skipped as we won’t mention much of what was stated there.

You will also need a working license for Fusion 360 and an internet connection to download additional content.

Also, note that at the end of this chapter, we will mention a third-party plugin called CoroPlus that requires its own paid license. Though it is a bonus, it is not strictly necessary for our CAM journey.

Discovering the tool library

Before starting any turning operations, we must take a look at the tools that Fusion 360 has to offer. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a lot of tools to pick from; the options are quite limited, to say the least.

Where do we find the tools? In the Tool Library, of course:

Figure 3.1: Tool Library location

Let’s click on the icon and open the library:

Figure 3.2: Tool library

Inside the tool library, we can find many different tools; these are not only related to turning – there are also milling tools, tool holders, laser nozzles, and so on.

Most of the time, the large number of tools available may be a bit overwhelming. To find the tools that we need, we have to know how to navigate inside the tool library. Let’s break down the previous screenshot:

1. In the left column, there is a list of all the available libraries. To search for all the built-in tools...

Creating a new tool

The first way to add tools to the limited built-in tool library is to create our own! This is the least expensive option but is also a bit more time-consuming.

Fusion 360 allows us to create a new tool from scratch and set all the needed parameters. Of course, we do not have to reinvent the wheel; we can simply start from the real tools we have at our disposal and copy their geometry. Alternatively, we can search for the tool we need inside a turning tool brand, copy it, and then buy it if it fits our needs.

Imagine that we need to add a new tool, such as a new finishing tool. We do not have to create a tool with our imagination; the best idea is to start looking on tool brand websites for their finishing tools lineup or check what we already have at our disposal on the shelf.

Getting a sample tool

Now, let’s suppose we found an interesting tool on our favorite tool shop website with the following specifications:

Figure...

Importing a third-party tool library

Creating tools is nice and cheap, but it can be a bit time-consuming if we need several new tools. Another option is to increase the built-in tool libraries by downloading third-party libraries and importing them inside Fusion 360.

So, how can we do that? First of all, we should enable cloud libraries. You can find the Enable Cloud Libraries option in the General preferences area, under Manufacture. Once found, be sure to tick the box:

Figure 3.12: Manufacture preferences

This option will create a bridge between our tool library and our projects.

After this, we can download a new tool library. You can find many libraries online; some of them require a subscription, and some just an account. For the sake of simplicity, we are going to use a sample tool library by nyccnc.com.

Once you have downloaded the attached file, unzip it. There should be a .json file inside the archive. To import it into Fusion 360 libraries...

Importing new tools with a plugin (CoroPlus)

As you may expect, the limited turning tool library of Fusion 360 is a problem that we don’t have to face alone. As already discussed, several tool companies have created tool libraries for Fusion 360, but Sandvik Coromant has taken things to the next level, creating a plugin that has so much more to offer.

First of all, what is a plugin? A plugin is an additional piece of software that gives the main software more features and commands. There is a plugin browser inside Fusion 360 – consider it like an app store – where we can look for new features to add.

The plugin we are about to discover is called CoroPlus, and we should consider it more like an advanced CAM module rather than a mere tool database. Not only do we have access to thousands of tools, but we can also use it to calculate cutting parameters and so much more.

There are only two main drawbacks: it is licensed under a subscription and it has limited...

Summary

Congratulations! We have come to the end of this chapter. I hope that you feel a bit more confident about where and how to look for new tools to use.

Let’s quickly recap what we learned in this chapter. First, we discovered the built-in tool library and how to filter the tools to find what we needed. After, we learned three different ways to add more tools that we may need to machine our part, including how to create a new tool from scratch and how to import third-party libraries and plugins.

This is a beginner-level book, so there is not time enough to increase the level of detail on this subject; instead, I encourage you to dig more into important tool brand websites, where you will find a lot more that we were forced to leave untouched!

If you want to start spinning the chuck, please move on to the next chapter, where we are going to implement turning strategies to machine our first part!