CAM programming Module Works brings Smart Roughing add-in to Autodesk Fusion

Autodesk Fusion users now have access to Module Works’ physics-based Smart Roughing technology. The add-in is designed to reduce manual toolpath optimisation and help CAM programmers achieve shorter cycle times in 3-axis roughing.

Module Works has announced the availability of its Smart Roughing technology as an add-in for Autodesk Fusion. The add-in provides direct access to physics-based roughing within the Fusion 3-axis workflow, enabling cutting conditions to be optimized automatically rather than manually tuned.

Smart Roughing is a physics-based 3-axis roughing solution designed to reduce manual optimization and guesswork in CNC programming. By analyzing part geometry together with machining physics and tooling data, Smart Roughing optimizes toolpaths for maximal material removal rates while maintaining balanced chip loads and stable cutting conditions. This helps CAM programmers achieve faster cycle times without overloading the machine and cutting tools.

The Smart Roughing add-in combines Module Works toolpath technology with a physics engine developed by Manufacturing Automation Laboratories Inc. (MAL) and lab-tested tooling data and expertise from Kennametal Inc. The system predicts cutting forces, accounts for real spindle power and torque limits, and automatically varies cutting parameters across the toolpath rather than relying on a single conservative setup.

The technology is designed to reduce the need for trial-and-error optimization and help CAM programmers of all experience levels to safely run machines closer to their productive limits. In testing across a range of materials and machine tools, Smart Roughing demonstrated cycle time reductions of 20–61 percent compared to conventional adaptive roughing.¹

Dr. Yavuz Murtezaoglu, Founder and CEO of Module Works said: “We’re proud to see Smart Roughing available in one of the industry’s leading CAM solutions. By allowing users to predict machining behavior before a program reaches the machine, the add-in helps reduce risk, shorten setup time and improve repeatability. These capabilities are becoming increasingly important as manufacturers face tighter margins and ongoing skilled labor shortages.”

“Autodesk Fusion is built to help customers move quickly from concept through execution,” said Alexander Freund, Autodesk Director of Product, Autodesk Manufacturing. “Our partner ecosystem plays a critical role in advancing these workflows, supported by APIs and an integrated App Store that allows add-ins like Module Works Smart Roughing to deliver production-ready workflows directly within Fusion. This allows customers to adopt powerful technology that integrates seamlessly into their existing workflows.”

Dr. Christoph Gey, Vice President of Metal Cutting Technology at Kennametal said: “Kennametal and Module Works have been aligned from the beginning by a shared commitment to innovation. As customer expectations continue to evolve, Kennametal remains focused on delivering high-performance, leading-edge technologies and digital machining solutions that are both powerful and easy to use. That approach strongly complements Module Works’ mission to accelerate how customers turn ideas into reality.”

The Smart Roughing add-in is available for download from the Autodesk App Store and can be installed directly into Autodesk Fusion. A time-limited free trial is available. Documentation and training videos can be found on the Module Works website.

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