Is there an auto-nest feature in F360? Like an assembly with multiple parts? Or is it an add on from Autodesk?
I understand FireControl has nesting for single parts. I am talking a whole batch of different parts that need cut to maximize the use of the raw material being cut.
Thanks guys
In the paid version there is āArrangeā; otherwise you are looking at manually moving parts around.
You can try FuseNest 2D Nesting in the fusion app store. I havenāt had much luck with it though, my internet is slow and it takes some time to work if it does at all.
I downloaded Deepnest, I havenāt tried it yet but looks like it should do a good job with .DXF and .SVG files.
Tim
I used deepnest.io just to see how it would do with this. These were label garden stakes that I have cut out hundreds of them with this exact layout:
I was not impressed with how deepnest arranged them. But right now I just did it with Fusion 360 arrange feature and it did not seem to like how close my components were so it spread them out. I am not too impressed with this specific demonstration as it used the same amount of metal and dropped off about 6 of the the stakes. I have seen other demonstrations that made it seem worth the effort.
I am on a paid version of F360. Perfict. Had no idea that feature was there.
Solidworks guy learning how to make F360 do its thing.
Thank you!
Two things: You will easily figure out both butā¦
Every body needs to be a component to use arrange (right click on the browser at the top of the bodies and select āCreate Components from bodiesā if need be),
You will want to create a body that represents the āenvelopeā that you will select to show Fusion 360 the space you have to work with. The āenvelopeā body does not need to be a component.
The really slick thing is if you have a sheet of metal that fits on the table, and you have already cut pieces out, your envelope can be a body with those spaces cut out from previous cuts. Fusion will then work your current components into the available metal.
At least that is my understanding.
Edit: IT IS TRUE!!! Now that is really cool:
Looks like you could squeeze more into that space. Iād move the group on the right over closer to the edge. Probably can tighten up the space between the items. On the bottom, move the first plain stake to the right and then shift the āheadedā stakes where the head is in the right over. That will let you drop the right facing ones down to where their stalks are tighter with the left pointing ones. Then move the plain stakes down and to the right and you can add more if them in a vertical orientation on the side.
That would take just a minute or so. The plain stakes (no āheadsā) make great filler pieces.
@3DM I put this live stream together a couple years ago and going through both the arrange function in Fusion and the deep nest option.
Agreed. Just to be clear:
Just goes to show that humans still have a better spatial sense than AI or programming. Both Arrange and deep est are sub-optimal. I havenāt used Arrange but deepnest always takes longer to turn out a lesser option than I can do manually. I think itās because it has to try options I donāt even consciously consider because I know theyāre not the best.
Itās possible that with enough time the automated processes could provide a better result than I could, but Iām not willing to waste the time waiting. I can usually have my solution and be cutting before deepnest provides a solution.
The other thing I can do is add things (like more plain stakes) because thereās room where the automated processes are constrained to only manipulating the objects they start with.
Tin that was a great video. I know you have said this before: āI could spend my whole day just answering questions on the forum with referencing the answers I have given in the past!ā
My reply to you: āYes. We would like it if you did just that!!!ā 
Having a job is often overrated!!! 
Definitely hard to keep up with the retirees.
The gray army as Iāve heard it referred to before
My time is very thin and Iām off and burning the candle light both ends.
Itās too bad my generation will never get to retire. Iām pretty much resigned just slugging away till they bury me
Mind you Iām taking probably the hardest road possible to get to retirement. Self-employed trying to do everything myself.
That is exactly what happened with those stakes. My first cutting was without the simple tongue depressor shaped stakes and had all this wasted space. I thought, I could make use of that space. It might cost a bit more metal but lots more useable stakes.
My daughter takes all the stakes I give her and likes them both. You has/had a cut flower business and was marking all the different varieties of bulbs that were planted.
I can only imagine. I thought my job was hard but it wasnāt physically demanding but so very mentally taxing. I had the option to own a Physical Therapy clinic and did not want anything to do with that.
We do appreciate the time you give here. Thank you!
Well this thread is now a saved one for me. So much great information in it. Huge thank you guys!
