Trouble defining tool parameters in Fusion

[JappieMike (Michael Bawden)]

Hello again, I’ve decided to put all my bits into a Fusion cloud library and I notice there is no ability to enter the helix angle. Do I put this information into the tool description? How does the helix angle affect the feeds and speeds i.e. a 0 deg 4mm tool for plastic vs. a 45deg 4mm tool for wood?
Cheers
Mike

[Julien]

Hi Mike,

The helix angle does not really come into play in the mathematical formulas for feeds and speeds (which mainly link the feedrate, number of flutes, and RPM). Not to say that the helix angle does not matter, it very much does for the quality of the cut, chip evacuation, etc…, but just not for the feeds and speeds that Fusion360 manages (or at least not that I am aware of!)

There was an interesting discussion about the helix angle implications here recently:

Choosing Endmill Helix Angles

"Helix Angles— What Role Do They Play? Standard end mills are offered with helix angles as low as 15° to as high as 60° angles. General-purpose end mills are generally around 30°. Any increase in the helix angle increases the effective shearing action thus reducing cutting forces and the amount of heat generated during the milling process. Chip ejection is also improved. Lower helix angle end mills are used on more difficult to machine materials where maximum edge strength and rigidity are impo…

If you want to keep track of the helix angles for each endmill in your tool database, indeed the easiest is probably to just add that info in the “description” field for each tool. The tool Pros here will probably chime in, I’m just an enthusiastic amateur!

[JappieMike (Michael Bawden)]

Hi Julien, thanks for clearing that up, I didn’t want to have to spend extra time “blind chicken typing” edits into the database or finding out that fusion does use this information when calculating the gcode.
Cheers
Mike
PS I’ve still not sorted out my spindle speed problem even after having constant communication with Penny. Sigh