CAM for CNC Router: Fusion 360 Beginner Tutorial

This video is the fourth in a series that will teach the fundamentals of modeling in Fusion 360. My goal is to be easy to understand for beginners and all ages. I focus on how to practically apply 3D modeling into your every day making. This video teaches you about the basics of how to convert a 3D model into GCode which you can run on a CNC Router
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Materials:
HatchBox PLA: amzn.to/2mio70v
HatchBox ABS: amzn.to/2kXqhSQ
HatchBox TPU: amzn.to/2lVIYG9
HatchBox PETG: amzn.to/2mibFh9
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Tools:
Fusion360: amzn.to/2ldBaLC
Raise3D N2+: amzn.to/2lHiTtF
Calipers: amzn.to/2lbsdCy
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[@bensoloart]

been on the internet looking for this specific combo while there are hundreds of how tos you sir are the most direct and educating ! ty!

[@bux49]

I'm a 70 year old machinist. Thank you for posting your example of Autodesk Fusion 360. Beats MDI and paper tape.

[@markhelms2287]

FINALLY!!! Finally somebody went from start to finishing in CAM with the kind of part I want to make. Thank you!

[@AudacityMicro]

+Mark Helms I'm glad I could help!

[@mtevans6196]

That's exactly what I just said -- thanks

[@ServiceProcess]

Beautifully and clearly explained. You got me where I needed to be, very very much appreciated.

[@markw1987]

Thank you so much!! This was EXACTLY what I needed to get me started with the CAM package and CNC milling in Fusion 360. Much appreciated.

[@paulattea989]

This video was so helpful, thanks for taking the time to do it!

[@onlyychevys]

I don't even use clamps anymore on small wood projects. 2 sided tape is super fast and works like a charm. You can cut a little deeper to go all the way through the part but never hit the spoil board. I've been using it on aluminum parts to and it does work. Nice video on Fusion360, I have vcarve pro and would never have purchased it if I found fusion first. Fusion is free and as good as vectric aspire that cost's around $2,000! what a joke. Thumbs up

[@swamihuman9395]

Hey AJ, thx for helping the community:) Here's a tip for avoiding the minor "gouge" along the top initially while also ensuring the thru cut goes all the way through the bottom, but w/o going too far into the spoilboard. 'STOCK TO LEAVE' is actually your friend:) Set 'Radial" to 0. Set 'Axial' to -0.020. Axial is up/down. Negative means go down below. 0.020 is "20 thousands" (or ~0.5mm). That's generally enough to cut through, but w/o going too far and abusing the spoilboard. Happy CNCing:)...

[@GospodinJean]

Excellent video!. how can I create a stock around the part I need to mill?

[@munawarsoomro7393]

Awesome video. I am just starting out with X Carve and this helped alot. So I am using Universal G Code Sender and once I learn the fusion 360 better, I just do GRBL post processor and open in UGS? PS, I also have Charley Thomas's (Triquetra) XYZ zero plate.

[@dougmccracken4833]

For A new CNc Operator what would you recommend use for making sides at plaques

[@Grat1616]

Thanks for the terrific video. Just learning Fusion 360. Followed your video and created my first G-Code file for a tablesaw push stick that I modeled. Very cool to watch the cutter simulation!! Thanks again for the information!!!

[@AudacityMicro]

I'm glad It helped!

[@philcharlesworth3542]

Very helpful. Thanks for posting it.

[@Stephen8454]

Thank you for going through ALL the details!

[@AudacityMicro]

+Savant PCs I'm glad I could help!

[@coffeecuppepsi]

thanks man this helped me a lot

[@Allan-mf1he]

Hi thanks dude helped to get me started with my 3d printer with a 3mm cutting tool! Instead of zeroing Z to low you can set stock (axial) to leave to a negative number.

[@thomasheisler]

great video, very easy for me to understand

[@renatocgiacomini]

Great video! Thank you so much!

[@igetcha69]

Excellent tutorial mate! :D

[@AudacityMicro]

+igetcha69 thanks!

[@fueangladasrineul800]

Love following your videos.. Thanks for the time to do them. I'm new to CNC and CAM. Please can you tell me, will fusion know what tool you should use or select and at what speed it should be set at? I assume that you have to tell it the material you're milling? Thank you

[@hanspijpers2100]

Nice video, one question or remark,why not set the y axis in the preferences for once and for allways so it's always right? kind regards Hans

[@UDoIt2]

Great video. No problem following it at all. I have been using Fusion360 for 3d printing work. Are you going to MRRF in Goshen on March 23 '18?

[@munawarsoomro7393]

Hi. One more question. My simulation shows big ole tool holder thing, not a black cylinder like yours. How do I fix change that?

[@UzunKamis]

Thank you for the explanatory video. Is it possible yo update the video with a recent version of F360? There is no up-to-date tutorial on F360 CAM. Best regards.

[@GodFamilyCountryOfficial]

Do you plan on doing an update to this series, as the Fusion 360 interface has changed. The is no more CAM option.

[@danthefireman5229]

You mentioned there a more easier programs to understand for beginners? What are they?

[@benjaminusey382]

Thanks for the info on turning off G28. I couldn’t figure out why my z axis was going straight down. Turning off G28 fixed that. This was the only video that addressed that.

[@DIYBuilds]

The bit going down anx crashing is my problem too but if turning off fixes that i still have the problem he had of going from origin directly instead of going up and over and to not cut a line from starting origin to first plunge. Any thoughts on this?

[@AudacityMicro]

You can manually add some GCode at the beginning of your files that fix that. Something like: G91 G0 Z1 G90

[@danlatu209]

My fusion toolbar looks different than yours, maybe from update? Error, the finish feedrate is higher than the cutting feedrate. I'm lost at the moment.

[@botoepfer546]

Hello AJ i have enjoyed the cam video , I need ed a start for simple 2d cam work, I am a complete Noob, can you tell me how to nest parts to cut more at the same time?

[@Geeksmithing]

Thanks dude! Big help!

[@AudacityMicro]

+Geeksmithing glad I could help :)

[@pabloortiz9114]

how come i dont have any bits in the select tool library?

[@maxsmith2320]

Very nice tutorial , just what i was looking for.

[@AudacityMicro]

+Max Smith thanks!

[@eviebee4]

Thanks very much!

[@ruffalley]

Great video, thnaks. You mention there are easier ways for 2D stuff, can you suggest a few? I want to cut and inlay pearl on musical instruments.

[@AudacityMicro]

+Richard Newman if you are willing to spend some money, Vcarve works, but is really expensive. There's one called MakerCAM.com which is my favorite go to for 2D stuff, and is 100% free. Inkscape also has a plug-in but I don't have any experience with it.

[@burf2000]

Thanks for this video, it got me going with my first design :)

[@AudacityMicro]

That’s so cool! Thanks for telling me!

[@burf2000]

@@AudacityMicro Thank you for getting me to finally do it!

[@vantamhuynh2908]

Do you have any way to jig Stock on Plexture CNC machine to process milling to do it, We have a code-program, but when we on CNC Machine I haven't any solve to jig Stock on CNC, Anyone can help me, Plz

[@KAFA2020]

I'm really happy for your good work. Dear respected sir, I need your help. I can do 3D design and generate G-code for it. But to 2D drawing from Sketching, I can not generate my G-code. Please could you help me to generate G-code from 2D sketching? I will be grateful to you.

[@j.jansen]

Like the video, as beginner it helps me a lot Just a good advice, next time wait untill your cold is over, the sounds that comes with it are not really pleasant Keep up the good work

[@danmay7619]

First off I would like to say ty for your video. it helped help me a lot. I am a first timer with Fusion 360. But now to my problem, I hope you can help me or maybe one of your subscribers can. When I cut out the clamp n the y-axis the cut is not 90 degrees. I have checked the table for squareness and the spindle is 90 Degrees to the table. Oh, and I have a Bob"s e3 router. Please, any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank You

[@angelooo23gr]

thank you

[@ShananaAllen]

Hi, I like this video, you mentioned there are much much easier ways to set up if its only 2 D pieces, which easier way do you recommend? I am new to this.

[@swamihuman9395]

See his answer at kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJmXlmt7ZdV2hLs&lc=Ugi0Ob6gdrJmsHgCoAEC.8OAVfZ0SyVt8OB31Vw_n89 .

[@swamihuman9395]

Looks like the link didn't work as expected. So, search " Richard Newman 2 years ago Great video, thnaks." Then see answer...

[@maxsmith2320]

so if i have to bore like 1000 1/4 hols how do i do that , you had to pick 3 bottom edges but i have 1000 edges, is there an easy way to do 2D pocket. thank you

[@AudacityMicro]

+Max Smith so if you are just drilling holes, there's a setting for "select all holes with same diameter" or something like that. But unfortunately I don't know if an easy way to do it with a regular pocket.

[@jeffersonjanaina3671]

I followed your instructions and had moderate success, think i'm doing it as you do but when I send the g code to my machine it first travels across the x and y plane to the first cut area ,then z axises strait up then back down and begins its routine and works properly from here on. can you think of anything I may have forgot in the set up to make it drag the cutting tool to the first cut instead of "jumping" to it ? thanks

[@AudacityMicro]

+jefferson janaina I’ve hit that same problem before. You can fix it by adjusting the safety and the travel planes in your set up, but I’ve found it’s easier if I just move the Z axis on my machine farther up, off of the work piece after I set my zero.

[@jeffersonjanaina3671]

ok that's what one of the guys on the fusion 360 forum had told me to do but I guess it never occurred to me that he ment after I zero it. thanks for that, pretty new to this stuff

[@Tisvam]

Can u name any other free software for 2d modeling simple curves cutout? Will be thankful

[@AudacityMicro]

Makercam.com is very simple to use, and will let you both make the drawing and generate the GCode. There is also Inkscape, which is a vector art program that will let you create a drawing that you can import into fusion360, or makercam.com.

[@ingDemurtas]

why not showing the machining operation?

[@danielsLL]

ty bud

[@WoodnMetalShoppe]

I have done everything you did in Fusion 360 on one PC in my office. My PC that runs my X-Carve is in the garage.. How do I send this to my X-Carve? Does Fusion 360 send the code directly to my X-Carve when I post it?

[@AudacityMicro]

+Wood'n Metal Shoppe for my CNC I load the GCode on to a thumb drive, move it to my CNC computer and then send to the CNC using Universal GCode Sender.

[@WoodnMetalShoppe]

Ok, thank you.

[@mustafasabri6430]

Nice video I want to know how can I CAM my design in 5 Axis

[@AudacityMicro]

+Mustafa Sabri I have to admit that I don't have any real experience with a 5 axis CNC, but I'm pretty sure fusion will do it. Once you know generally how the tools work, you should be able to extend that knowledge to something like a 5 axis. The same principals apply.

[@Blazzzy04]

I have the same problem with the cutter dragging across the workpiece on it's way to the first cut. Why doesn't the CNC move up prior to moving to the first cut path like it does in-between other cut operations? If I don't set the start point low enough it doesn't get all the way through the part. The only thing I have thought of is to add some artificial thickness to the part and then have the start position slightly higher than the part. Is there a CAM setting to fix this? Great Video.

[@Blazzzy04]

I already got it figured out. Even though I don't use G28, after I set zero start position on my CNC to be at the workpiece level or even slightly low, I can just move move Z up it all works great. For some reason I though the g-code moved the CNC based on start position. I think I'm all ready to start my first real project. Thanks.

[@AudacityMicro]

+Blazzzy04 yup! That's one way to do it. You can also manually add some GCode into the beginning your file. A simple G0 Z1 would lift the spindle so it can move.

[@scotthall3700]

So when i try to use 2D pocket for the rivet holes in my L bracket, the error "Tool not supported for 2D pocket operation" pops up. Its a 1/4 high carbon bit. What am I doing wrong?

[@AudacityMicro]

+Scott Hall the first thing I would check is your bit. Make sure you have all the settings correct in the tool library. Something weird might be happening if it thinks it’s a V-bit or ballmill or something. I’m also assuming that your bit is smaller than the hole, if it’s larger, there will be issues. Lastly, you can always just use one of the standard endmills in the library. It doesn’t have to be exactly the same, as long as the diameter and length are correct.

[@scotthall3700]

Design The Everything ok ill look into that. Also before I select a tool, it shows the cutting rate and all that stuff. But when I pick a bit, all of that disappear. Then finishing rate is zero and when I out in a number, it says the finishing rate is higher than the cut rate, And shows a exclamation point sign. Why does the cutting rate disappear after choosing a bit?

[@scotthall3700]

Design The Everything excuse my typing as I sausage thumbs lol

[@askal916]

At the end of your tutorial you show where the tool dragged across the part to the first cut position. That is my problem. Can you please tell me the best place to make that adjustment? Also thanks for the G28 OFF hint. Really helped. But let me ask you also...can you show how and where you clamped the workpiece down with the X & Y origins shown, relative to your machine origin (please show that as well) Then if you jog your machine away from home could you show that process. Please explain if you zero out any of the machine coordinate systems and which coordinate system you use. Did you specify that in Setup? I know this is a lot but I seem to be spatially challenged and can't seem to visualize this in the process. Thank you in advance. If I can get this important wedding present part cut I would be so grateful. I will send you a photo of the finished part.

[@AudacityMicro]

+Gaylord Livingston this will be hard to do over KZbin comment. Can you send me an email at [e-mail]? We'll get you sorted out over email.

[@jimgreene3863]

OK fine good until you finish the last window before showing the "G" code then you have a finished part HOW AND WITH WHAT SOFT WARE ? I knew just about all you showed needed HOW to get it to my CnC router? Please elaborate on this small but missing bit of info please thank you

[@AudacityMicro]

So the GCode is just a text file, it’s just a series of instructions for your CNC. This gets fed into your controller. I recommend checking with your CNC’s manufacture to find out what Controller they recommend, but at this level it’s general Mach 3, Linux CNC, or GRBL/UGS. At the time I made this video, I was using GRBL with UGS, now I’m using Linux CNC. I can’t claim to be an expert in those controllers, but there is a lot of good information on other Channels.

[@maxsmith2320]

hi, you mention in this tutorial that this is not for the beginners and there is a lot easy way to do this , do you have any videos to do it easy ways. thank you

[@AudacityMicro]

+Max Smith I don't have any videos on it, but go check out MakerCam.com. That's the easiest cam I've ever found. Some of the really expensive CAMs like Aspire are also easier, but they are too expensive for most people (at least at this level) to use.

[@crchisholm1]

I've learned a lot from this tutorial. That being said, I have a problem. I have three identical parts that I want to cut. By following this tutorial, I have a pretty good handle on everthing...except: For whatever reason, the 2d contour wants to cut inside the part perimeters rather than on the outside. I don't know if it has something to do with the three parts in the same job or something else.

[@AudacityMicro]

I've been asked this a couple times in the last couple weeks, I'm going to go ahead and make a video about it right now. In short: when you select the profile, there is a red arrow on each profile, if you click that arrow, it will cut the other side.

[@AudacityMicro]

Here's the video with the full explanation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6TLomV-eJycp9U

[@susa4727]

Thanks man. You look like Nikola Jokic btw

[@trialnterror]

Tabs?

[@LeMortso]

Dude... stop wiggling the mouse when you talk!~ :) otherwise GREAT video!

[@CharleyThomas2016]

I like your video's but you are hard to follow because you are moving your mouse all over the place while you are talking. That makes it difficult to keep up with your instructions. Please don't be offended as I mean no disrespect. People like you who take the time to help those of us in need is what makes learning new concepts possible so please don't stop, just get your mouse under control. I used to do the same thing until it was pointed out to me as well. When I began to control my mouse, my viewers were much more positive in their comments.

[@venturion2010]

Very good info but impossible to follow due to the unnecessary mouse movement!

[@Elimoore4gtv]

Thanks can you make 1 out of fiberglass?

[@AudacityMicro]

+ELI MOORE I'm sure you could, but I don't have a ton of experience with composites. If you try one send me a picture!

[@Elimoore4gtv]

will do thanks ...

[@danlatu209]

Thank you for the video, going to start cutting some carbon fiber.

[@AudacityMicro]

+danlatu I've never tried cutting CF before. I heard it really tears up your machine.

[@danlatu209]

bought a cheap 3040 cnc router to cut frames and need to make prototypes. Failure is eminent, but I am motivated. Fixing a 3d printer right now. I like to tinker.

[@AudacityMicro]

+danlatu Nice!

[@JerrysThisandThat]

Good stuff but I got lost on my drawing and it was cutting the 2d contour around the inside of the design not the outside. Going to have to figure out what I did wrong there Lol

[@AudacityMicro]

+Jerry's This and That do you mean on the CAM phase or the modeling phase?

[@JerrysThisandThat]

When I was running the simulation in the CAM program. It appeared to be cutting around the inside of the clamp instead of the outside.

[@AudacityMicro]

+Jerry's This and That ah, I see. There's a drop down box that says "sideways compensation". That might fix it. You also want to make sure you are doing a contour operation and not something strange like a pocket or something.

[@JerrysThisandThat]

Thanks AJ. I will give the sideways compensation a try

[@munawarsoomro7393]

Oh one more thing. My F360 doesn't allow me to name the CAM file with text just numbers.

[@MrDaniell1234]

that is machine-dependent

[@1bulldog998]

i would like to make these could i get the file

[@AudacityMicro]

+1bulldog998 absolutely! Unfortunetly My computer just died. It will be at least a week before I can get the files to you. It will be much faster if you just use the dimensions I have in the model and design your own.

[@1bulldog998]

oky will try iam new at this

[@kevinroach9380]

Have you seen this come up before? I am not able to generate a tool path. I am wanting to mahine some slots(pockets in a 1/8" piece of plastic Warning: Lifting feed plane to topmost ramp. Warning: Lifting retract plane to feed plane. Warning: No passes to link. Generation completed with 3 warning(s) in 232.9ms. Warning: Empty toolpath.

[@johng1707]

CAM stands for Computer Aided Manufacture

[@xiivo]

I'm starting to fall in love to you

[@jamesriviello1292]

I have to agree... your gesturing with the mouse as you're talking, and makes it too difficult to follow...

[@EverydayADV]

Maybe in future videos move your "facecam" over to the left where there is no info.

[@AudacityMicro]

+Jerry Jerryness you mean put my head off center so I can use the words/animations in the same frame? You know, I did this in one of my videos, but I didn't think too in this video until I started editing. I agree though, and probably will in future videos.

[@AudacityMicro]

Oh! I got my videos mixed up. I thought you were commenting on my newest video. Yeah, I'll fix that when I do more tutorials.

[@LouAdzima]

You need to move that mouse faster

[@AudacityMicro]

I believe KZbin has an option to watch the video on double speed. If not you can find browser extensions that do the same thing.

[@pixelpadre]

um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um umumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumumummumumumumumumumumu

[@AudacityMicro]

+Steve Patco yeah, I get better at editing in later videos. This is one of my earlier ones.

[@alterra2]

STOP move mouse and object, is too annoing to watch.