Manual vs. CAM generated toolpaths, which one do you trust more for small runs?

I had a job last month for 50 parts in 6061 aluminum and I debated between hand coding the g-code on the floor or using Fusion 360 to generate it. Hand coding took me about 2 hours but I caught a potential crash before it happened because I visualized every move. The CAM software did it in 20 minutes but I had to edit out a weird entry move on a 3/8 endmill. Which method has saved you more time and headache on low quantity work?

2 comments

2 Comments

beth_green12d ago

Huh, I used to be all about hand coding but a CAM crash on a prototype changed my mind.

lucas6312d ago

Same here. One bad crash and I switched to CAM and never looked back.