Machining Simulator Encompasses the Manufacturing Process

FANUC America’s machining simulator encompasses the manufacturing process from part design and engineering to CNC programming to virtual production simulation. It features Autodesk Fusion 360 CAD/CAM/CAE software and a custom machining simulation program designed by ModuleWorks, the company says.

According to the company, Fusion 360 can perform CAD/CAM work and the included postprocessors will convert the designs into G-code suitable for the included CNC, and the CNC will use this G-code to command the machine tool. The simulation system also includes a G-code editor for making modifications before the program is sent to the CNC. 

The core of the system is the FANUC CNC simulator. Based on the FANUC Series 0i-Model F, the CNC Simulator can be operated as either a three-axis mill or a two-axis lathe. Users can run programs, manage tooling and make any modifications on the control just like they would in a manufacturing environment, the company says.

The FANUC CNC simulator includes FANUC Manual Guide i conversational programming software to learn shopfloor programming. An integrated PC is embedded in the FANUC CNC simulator to run the Fusion 360 and ModuleWorks simulation software.