The CamAlign Add-In is a tool for Autodesk® Fusion® designed specifically for CNC mill users to simplify part alignment for machining. It automates the process of positioning a part in the design workspace to match how it will be secured in a vise or milling fixture on a CNC mill. By aligning planar faces, circular edges, or arcs to the XY plane with normal downward and centroid at (0,0,0). It offers optional X-axis edge alignment, a "Skip X-Axis Alignment" option for circular parts, and logs data to CSV with a temporary directory fallback. The add-in ensures the part is oriented correctly for CAM setup, saving time and reducing errors in toolpath generation.

Purpose for CNC Mill Users

As a CNC mill operator, you often need to secure a part in a vise or fixture with a specific face or feature against the fixture's base (the XY plane in the machine) and a reference edge aligned with the machine's X-axis for consistent work coordinate system (WCS) setup. This add-in automates these alignments in Fusion, ensuring the part’s digital orientation matches its physical setup on the mill. This is particularly useful for:

• Vise setups: Aligning a flat bottom face of a part to the vise jaws or parallels, ensuring the part sits flush.
• Cylindrical stock in fixtures: Aligning a cylindrical part’s bottom circular edge (e.g., the base of a turned part) to the fixture’s XY plane.
• Edge alignment for WCS: Orienting a linear edge parallel to the X-axis to match the machine’s coordinate system, simplifying toolpath programming.
• Repeatable setups: Ensuring consistent part orientation across multiple setups or parts for batch production.

The add-in streamlines the process of preparing parts for milling by aligning them in a way that mirrors how they will be clamped in a vise or fixture, reducing manual adjustments in both the CAD model and the physical setup.

Prerequisites:

• Software: Fusion with the CamAlign Add-In installed.
• Workspace: The add-in operates in the CAM Environment of Fusion. 
• Part Requirements:
  • The part must have a planar face or a circular edge (e.g., from a cylindrical feature) to define the bottom surface.
  • A linear edge on the part for X-axis alignment (e.g., a straight edge or feature to align with the machine’s X-axis).
• Hardware Context: A CNC mill with a vise or milling fixture where the part will be secured. The add-in assumes the bottom face or edge will rest against the vise jaws, parallels, or fixture base, and a reference edge will align with the machine’s X-axis.