CAM Strategies for 3 Axis Milling

Course overview

Creating toolpaths for a 3-axis design is only a part of the CAM process. Learn how to prepare a design, set up supporting documentation, and improve efficiency using Fusion. Gain best practices in digital fixturing and workholding, roughing and finishing a part, creating supporting documentation and learning about templates and operational data reuse.

After completing this course, you'll be able to:

Prepare a design for manufacture.
Set up soft jaw fixturing.
Define a digital CNC Machine.
Create 3-axis roughing and finishing operations.
Create templates and define operation reuse options.
Create supporting documentation for a CAM setup.

Course downloads

These downloadable resources will be used to complete modules in this course:

cam-3x-strg-resources.zip - (264 mb)

Course outline

10 min.

Getting started

Discover what you'll learn in this course and download the software and resources you need.

Module outline

Discover what you'll learn in this course and download the software and resources you need.

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2 hr. 10 min.

Job preparation for 3-axis milling

Learn the workflow and setup needed for 3-axis CAM parts.

Module outline

Learn the workflow and setup needed for 3-axis CAM parts starting with deriving a component from a bigger assembly down to creating a digital machine definition to be used during program validation.

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

Create a derived design.
Import a vise or fixture.
Import a tool library.

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2 hr. 10 min.

Toolpath creation for 3-axis milling

Learn how to create the various operations needed to rough and finish a 3D part while exploring various finishing strategies.

Module outline

Learn how to create the various operations needed to rough and finish a 3D part while exploring various finishing strategies.

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

Create 3D adaptive clearing operations.
Use 3D contour.
Use 3D scallop.
Use 3D pencil.

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1 hr. 40 min.

Operational efficiency for 3-axis milling

Learn ways to increase productivity when programming parts for manufacture through the use of CAM expressions, templates, patterns and derived operations.

Module outline

Learn ways to increase productivity when programming parts for manufacture through the use of CAM expressions, templates, patterns and derived operations.

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

Modify a CAM expression.
Create a toolpath template.
Duplicate and derive operations.
Create toolpath patterns.
Create a named view.

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1 hr. 15 min.

Documentation and output

Learn the how to create documentation, output NC code and review options for creating outputs with multiple WCS positions.

Module outline

Learn the how to create documentation, output NC code and review options for creating outputs with multiple WCS positions.

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

Create a setup sheet
Discuss WCS offset vs pattern
Create an NC program
Understand post processor options

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1 hr. 30 min.

Course challenge exercise

Now that you've completed the learning material in this course, you can take the challenge exercise to measure your skills on the topics covered in this course.

Module outline

Now that you've completed the learning material in this course, you can take the challenge exercise to measure your skills on the topics covered in this course. Follow the assignment directions or download the PDF to follow along at your own pace.