This course introduces you to the foundational knowledge in computer-aided design, manufacture, and the practical use of CNC machines. In this course we begin with the basics in Autodesk® Fusion 360™ CAD by learning how to properly sketch and model 3D parts. Before we program any toolpaths, we’ll explore CNC machining basics to ensure we have the ground level foundational knowledge needed to effectively define toolpaths. Finally, we explore the basics of setting up a CAM program and defining toolpaths to cut simple geometry. This is the same basic process that gets repeated for the design and manufacture of any part and is a critical step in learning and understanding the process.
This course is part of the Autodesk CAD/CAM for Manufacturing Specialization
Introduction to CAD, CAM, and Practical CNC Machining
Offered By
About this Course
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Course 1 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Advanced Level
Approx. 17 hours to complete
Suggested: 7 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English
What you will learn
Explain the CAD design process as applied to prismatic parts.
Summarize the workflow of digital manufacturing.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills in basic Fusion 360 CAM.
Recall foundational knowledge of practical CNC machining.
Skills you will gain
Manufacturing Process ManagementComputer-Aided Design (CAD)Computer-Aided ManufacturingAutodesk Fusion 360Mechanical Engineering
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 1 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Advanced Level
Approx. 17 hours to complete
Suggested: 7 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
Autodesk
Today's challenges will be solved by tomorrow's designers. That's why Autodesk gives students, educators, and educational institutions free access to our design software, creativity apps, and learning resources. A market leader for more than 30 years, Autodesk offers the broadest and deepest portfolio of products in the design world. Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
6 hours to complete
Autodesk Fusion 360 Foundational Design concepts
In Week 1, we’ll dive right into Autodesk® Fusion 360™ to learn all the basics of navigating, sketching, and modeling. This foundations of computer-aided design with Fusion 360 are the first steps to having a digital model that can be programmed and ultimately machined. We’ll focus our energy on learning the best practices for sketching geometry, creating 3D models, and understanding basic assemblies while designing our first part.
6 hours to complete
26 videos (Total 104 min), 7 readings, 2 quizzes
26 videos
Get the software2m
Week 1 overview47s
The Fusion 360 User Interface10m
What is a workspace2m
Fusion 360 on the web8m
How to create a sketch9m
Editing a sketch4m
Sketch parameters3m
Toggling the visibility of sketches and their dimensions2m
Extruding a sketch into 3D2m
Spinning a sketch to make a solid2m
Exploring surface creation4m
Understanding modification and direct editing tools5m
Using draft and shell features3m
Creating bodies and components6m
Creating a simple detailed drawing6m
How to add symbols and notes5m
Drawings for Assemblies6m
Customizing a drawing6m
Practice exercise 1 video instructions19s
Practice exercise 1 solution1m
Practice exercise 2 video instructions21s
Practice exercise 2 solution1m
Practice exercise 3 video instructions21s
Practice exercise 3 solution4m
7 readings
Fusion 360 Foundational Design Concepts resources2m
About the discussion forum5m
Online learning communities and social media5m
Practice exercise 1 instructions30m
Practice exercise 2 instructions30m
Practice exercise 3 instructions30m
Week 1 challenge exercise2h
2 practice exercises
Pre-course quiz4m
Week 1 quiz10m
4 hours to complete
CNC and machining basics
In Week 2, we’ll expand our knowledge by exploring the basics of machining. This course can’t replace hands-on training and practical knowledge at a physical machine, but there are some basics we should really cover before we dive into programming toolpaths. We'll cover topics like coordinate systems, work holding devices, tools, and types of cutting.
4 hours to complete
16 videos (Total 35 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
16 videos
Common materials4m
Using T slots and clamps2m
Basics of Vises1m
Vise squareness1m
CNC Machine Safety2m
How typical CNC mills move5m
How typical CNC lathes move4m
Types of milling tools2m
Types of lathe tools1m
Practice exercise 1 video instructions18s
Practice exercise 1 solution47s
Practice exercise 2 video instructions17s
Practice exercise 2 solution3m
Practice exercise 3 video instructions20s
Practice exercise 3 solution1m
5 readings
CNC and Machining Basics resources2m
Practice exercise 1 instructions30m
Practice exercise 2 instructions30m
Practice exercise 3 instructions30m
Week 2 challenge exercise2h
1 practice exercise
Week 2 quiz10m
5 hours to complete
Setting up CAM programs
In Week 3, we’ll explore all the details that go into setting up a CAM program. This involves defining stock, locating a coordinate system, and creating a digital tool library. We’ll also take a look at machine configurations, which allow us to digitally define the CNC machine and its parameters.
5 hours to complete
13 videos (Total 47 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
13 videos
Setting up stock5m
Locating and orienting a coordinate system3m
General setup parameters4m
Creating a custom tool11m
Utilizing a tool library5m
Create a machine configuration10m
Practice exercise 1 video instructions20s
Practice exercise 1 solution1m
Practice exercise 2 video instructions20s
Practice exercise 2 solution55s
Practice exercise 3 video instructions17s
Practice exercise 3 solution1m
5 readings
Setting up CAM programs resources2m
Practice exercise 1 instructions30m
Practice exercise 2 instructions30m
Practice exercise 3 instructions30m
Week 3 challenge exercise2h
1 practice exercise
Week 3 quiz10m
10 hours to complete
Creating our first CNC program
In Week 4, we’ll start creating toolpaths by exploring 2-axis cutting and 2.5-axis cutting operations. Starting with 2-axis cutting allows us the opportunity to learn about tool motion without focusing on too many parameters at once. With a solid foundation creating toolpaths for a waterjet machine we can begin learning about milling operations that position the Z-axis depth and cut only in X and Y. In these lessons, we’ll learn some of the most common operations needed to program prismatic parts.
10 hours to complete
22 videos (Total 98 min), 5 readings, 3 quizzes
22 videos
Creating a CAM setup for waterjet3m
Filtering the sample tool library2m
Selecting edges and faces for an operation10m
Simulating a toolpath7m
Reviewing a CAM setup for a CNC mill4m
Creating a facing toolpath9m
Creating an external contour11m
Modifying a Machine configuration7m
Identifying types of pockets2m
Roughing a closed pocket4m
Roughing an open pocket4m
Rest machining pockets8m
Spot drilling holes5m
Creating a peck drilling toolpath3m
Posting G code for a basic CNC program4m
Practice exercise 1 video instructions18s
Practice exercise 1 solution1m
Practice exercise 2 video instructions16s
Practice exercise 2 solution2m
Practice exercise 3 video instructions18s
Practice exercise 3 solution1m
5 readings
Creating our first CNC program resources2m
Practice exercise 1 instructions30m
Practice exercise 2 instructions30m
Practice exercise 3 instructions30m
Week 4 challenge exercise2h
2 practice exercises
Week 4 quiz10m
Course assessment30m
Reviews
4.9
TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO CAD, CAM, AND PRACTICAL CNC MACHINING
by PLFeb 24, 2020
Extremely helpful introduction into Fusion 360. When you are done with this course you'll be able to create a design, prep for manufacturing and initial setup of your CNC (or whatever your using).
by NGApr 5, 2020
Well, structured course. Super useful for someone who designs customized machines and wants to manufacture parts for the same. Learned a lot from the Manufacture workspace of Fusion 360.
by HHDec 2, 2019
The course is interactive and well managed in the system. It helped me easily learn higly demanding cad/cam best practices and fusion 360 capabilities.
by AHNov 4, 2019
A comprehensive introductory course that covers all the content efficiently and have completed the first course with imbedded knowledge.
by SBApr 5, 2020
Wonderful course. A must learn for individuals looking to enter the future of manufacturing and prototyping.
by NJan 2, 2020
best plateform to learn about CNC machines working with the code generation with no cost investments.
by DKMar 26, 2020
the best course for cad and cam learn lots of thing in design and manufacturing related work.
by GPMar 26, 2020
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About the Autodesk CAD/CAM for Manufacturing Specialization
Manufacturers are under more pressure than ever to deliver better products faster, at lower cost, and with less waste.
The “throw-it-over-the-wall” approach to product development worked well enough in the past. But to compete in the future, you’ll need to connect and automate design and manufacturing processes. Bringing the studio and shop floor together can reduce iterations and errors, enabling you to deliver better products faster.
Computers can handle complex tasks to achieve things that are time consuming or in some cases impossible for the human mind. This is the case when we use digital data to create complex tool motions. As we learn how to use technology in this way, we unlock the potential of computer aided manufacturing (CAM).
Through this specialization, you'll learn the foundations of CAD and toolpath generation, while developing your technical skills in Autodesk® Fusion 360™.
Plus, by completing this Specialization, you’ll unlock an Autodesk Credential as further recognition of your success! The Autodesk Credential comes with a digital badge and certificate, which you can add to your resume and share on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Sharing your Autodesk Credential can signal to hiring managers that you’ve got the right skills for the job and you’re up on the latest industry trends like CAD and CAM.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
How to I access Autodesk® Fusion 360™ as a student or educator?
How to I access Fusion 360 as a professional?
Will I earn any type of achievement by completing this course?
What are the system requirements for Fusion 360?
How do I get installation support for Fusion 360?
How do I share my designs on the Autodesk Fusion gallery?
How do I become an Autodesk Certified User?
How do I continue building my Fusion 360 knowledge and skills once I complete the course?
Do I have the option to access these learning materials for free?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.