.FM File Extension
FeatureCAM Part
| Developer | Autodesk |
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An FM file may also be a part file created by Autodesk FeatureCAM, a computer-assisted manufacturing program used to produce machining instructions for mechanical parts. It contains a set of features that define a part's shape. Using FeatureCAM and an FM file, machinists can export instructions that allow a computer numerical control device to produce a real-life version of the part the FM file describes.
More Information
Machining shops use computer-assisted manufacturing (CAM) and computer numerical control (CNC) applications to help them design and produce mechanical parts. FeatureCAM is a CAM application that allows machinists to design mechanical parts and output NC codes, which a CNC device can use to produce the part.
The parts machinists design in FeatureCAM are saved as FM files. Each FM file is comprised of a set of features, which contain instructions about how a CNC application should machine them.
FM files are often linked to several ancillary files, which use the same filename as the FM file but different extensions, such as .TXT, OP, TL, TDB, FDB, and CDB. FeatureCAM uses these ancillary files to load an FM file more quickly. However, you can open an FM file in FeatureCAM even if you do not possess its linked ancillary files. FeatureCAM will recreate the ancillary files when you open your FM file.
After a machinist finishes adding features to a FeatureCAM part, they can produce an NC code for that part (usually saved in a TXT file). The machinist can then transfer their NC code to a CNC device, which will use the code to produce a real-life version of the part.
NOTE: FeatureCAM was previously developed by Engineering Geometry Systems and DelCam.
How to open an FM file
You can open an FM file in Autodesk FeatureCAM (Windows). To do so, select [m]File → Open[/] from the program's menu bar. Then, navigate to and open your FM file.