Fusion 360 for Designing 3D CAD Models & the Machining Extension for Turing Operations Resulted in Significant Savings

Malnad Alloy Castings Pvt. Ltd. is a trustworthy name as the manufacturer of alloy steel, stainless steel, and nickel base alloys, and the manufacturing of valve components, hydraulic components, pump components, and general engineering equipment. Required tasks start from pattern development through production machining. Due to a minimum budget, they were looking for a multiple tasks software solution within a single package.

Malnad Alloy Castings Pvt. Ltd. were exploring a solution with the following primary project goals:

1. Implementing a cost-effective solution for machining a specific critical turning component.
2. Designing the models in a single software package with CAM programming at a very effective price. 
3. The Company already had deployed the Autodesk PowerMill standard; however, they needed a solution for turning and designing the models with 2d drawings provided by the customers.

During the Autodesk PowerMill renewal period, the Malnad Alloy Production Team's head stated their concerns and budget constraints.  As a result, they were exploring other software solutions with all CAD/CAM functionality required in a single package. Once the Autodesk Solution Provider Acuity Engineering team discovered their concerns, the Acuity team visited Malnad Alloy and discussed their situation further. Consequently, the team understood their requirements fully and suggested Autodesk Fusion 360 with the Machining Extension along with PowerMill which they already owned.

The Acuity team immediately scheduled a training session for the new Fusion solution that included the processes for designing, drafting the drawing and turning. The training introduced to the Malnad Alloy CAD engineers how easily they were now able to draw and prepare 3D models inside the Fusion solution in a very effective way. The team also explained the drafting of the 3D models from 2D drawings with very minimum time required.

After the day 1 training, their CAD team experienced the Fusion designing and drafting process as very easy compared to other software solutions. They were very excited to know additional capabilities enabled with the Fusion solution to further optimize the model design process. 

During day 2 training, they discovered a few more details about the improved design process and also were trained on creating the turning toolpath inside Fusion with the Machining Extension. The team also learned how to get post-processors for turning machines inside the Fusion Post Library.

The Malnad Alloy team discovered Fusion 360 as a very user-friendly software solution as compared to other software and they started to use Fusion continuously.

After implementing the Fusion 360 solution at Malnad Alloy, the team started using the software successfully. They are now able to design the CAD models in-house and eliminate the process of outsourcing for CAD models. The innovative solution also saved lots of money for them. They are also able to reduce the manual programming process for their turning machines. The software solution combines organic shapes modelling, mechanical design, and manufacturing in one comprehensive package. It also adds value to help estimate the cycle time of new projects and improves productivity.

The Malnad Alloy team will always be grateful to Acuity Engineering who helped them to save the purchase of other CAD software, and helped them to utilize and optimize the Fusion 360 solution which they already owned with their existing PowerMill subscription. The enhanced solution ultimately helped to optimize the team's CAD to CAM processes and minimized time required significantly. 

“Autodesk Fusion 360 with the Machining Extension saved lots of cycle time by eliminating manual programming, helped in-house CAD modelling, and saved economically by the elimination of outsourcing processes."