Industry experts discuss the current state of the computer aided manufacturing (CAM) landscape and what role Autodesk can play in shaping the future of the industry.

What's old is new again. Standalone computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) has been the largest segment of CAM software for years, but many users are just now discovering what some veteran computer numerical control (CNC) programmers have known for decades—integration between CAD and CAM offers unique benefits that deserve serious consideration.

Get your hands on an amazing new computer aided manufacturing (CAM) solution from Autodesk. Learn how you can use this new milling CAM solution for your 2-1/2 axis (2.5D) machining projects.

Join us as we delve into the impact of AI in manufacturing and address the pressing question: will it replace your job? Through a blend of demonstrations and informative discussions, participants will gain a clearer understanding of AI's current applications in CAM, its readiness for implementation, and the practical benefits it offers.

This class is designed for existing users of the Fusion 360 3D CAD platform who are looking to take advantage of the CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) capabilities. Topics covered will include prototyping and production strategies, better use of 2-D operations, better use of 3-D operations, the workholding of best practices, and 3+2 and indexing strategies. This session features Fusion 360.

Product Manager Al Whatmough and Product Owner Mark Porsby will show what is to come into the CAM workspace.

You might be new to CAM. You might have an existing non-Autodesk CAM package. You might be an Autodesk CAM user who is exploring other products in the portfolio. Whatever your situation, if you are interested in Autodesk CAM products, this session will aim to help you. This class will introduce you to the range of Autodesk CAM products. Starting with the HSM products this class will look at product capabilities, and which CAM product to move to next, when your focus changes. So whether it’s the high level of automation and multi-tasking machining centre capability of FeatureCAM, or maybe the high-degree of toolpath and machine control of PowerMill you require, this class will help you make the right decision for your next CAM package.

This lab will give you a hands-on understanding of Fusion 360 CAM, the next generation CAM package. The lab will walk you through the setup and post processing of a basic component. Following this, you'll be tasked to tool up a new component using the skills you just gained, working with the speaker to get assistance where needed. This lab is perfect for users who are new to CAM and CNC programming.

We’ll take a look at common CAM programming workflows to analyze the repetitive steps within each. We’ll then walk through the steps to create a template that minimizes those repetitive steps to drastically reduce overall programming time. We’ll also take a look at the tools available to speed up iterations, with both native and imported CAD data. If you’re interested in efficient use of Fusion 360 software in a rapid prototyping manufacturing environment, this class is for you.

This class will be an overview of how managing production within the Autodesk manufacturing ecosystem lets seamless workflows and real-time insight into production status. We will demonstrate a workflow- starting in design within Autodesk CAD Solutions, moving to programming with Autodesk CAM Solutions, demonstrating production tracking and quality assurance in Fusion 360 Production, and showing how production data can be fed back into design and programming to increase overall production speed and efficiency. These clear communication channels can dramatically reduce the amount of overhead that job shops need to manage by presenting the right information to the right people at the right time. This is the benefit of operating within the Autodesk network.

Hear from a knife maker on how we capitalize on lathe functionality within Fusion 360 software—CAM (computer-aided manufacturing). In this class we will show how to use Fusion 360 Lathe to design parts, set up relevant tools, create toolpaths, simulate, and post the GCode. We will show several methods to design lathe parts, including extruding cylinders and stacking them, as well as drawing a profile sketch and revolving the object to create it. We will spend a lot of time in the CAM environment, showing real-world examples of how to set up many different kinds of tools in all orientations, how to create complex toolpaths to do exactly what you want, and how to use the simulation to your advantage. We will also go over several hidden tips and tricks that will really maximize what Fusion 360 software is capable of on a computer numerical control (CNC) lathe. On the postprocessor side of things, we will show what the GCode looks like and how it works in the real world. Lastly, we will have video demos of these exact parts being turned on our Tormach Lathe. This session features Fusion 360. AIA Approved

Meet the members from the Technical and development teams behind the Autodesk CAM Products.

CAM programming can be difficult—there are so many parameters and variables in both the software and at the machine! Luckily, Fusion 360 software includes some useful tools that can help us approach difficulties when creating and post processing CAM programs. This class will explain how to optimize performance and efficiency, decipher errors and warnings, and diagnose and resolve common problems by understanding the helpful tools available in the software. Toolpath generation and containment will be covered, along with many useful tips and tricks to shorten programming time and get parts made faster.

From quoting a workpiece, thru programming in CAM and operating on a CNC machine tool, to finished workpiece

Inspired by the integrated product-development capabilities in Fusion 360 software, this class will walk through the advantages of using the multidisciplinary workspaces (ECAD, modeling, CAM) of the product-innovation platform. You will learn how to save time and money while avoiding frustration by rapidly exploring iterations of a design to optimize a printed circuit board (PCB) and mechanical components for an electromechanical assembly. To fully encompass the design process, we will use ECAD and EAGLE to address basic PCB design principles. We will then use the PCB design to create a parametric electromechanical assembly in Fusion 360, after which, we will use the CAM workspace to develop machining operations for the mechanical components. Finally, we will make a design change to the base PCB component, and we will update the assembly model and CAM operations to illustrate the efficiency and interdisciplinary communication benefits of integrated product development in Fusion 360.

Explore the various components to protecting intellectual property using virtual desktop infrastructure. Learn about tiered security zones and today's technology tools that enhance the capability of securing proprietary CAD/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) data in a virtual desktop infrastructure environment.

Autodesk CAM for Educators, Students, Classrooms, Student Clubs, Maker Spaces, Non Profits, Learn about Autodesk’s learning resources, and how you can take advantage of the free integrated CAD/CAM software.

CAM Assist, a new software system from CloudNC, leverages AI to autocomplete much of the difficult work involved with programming a computer numerical control (CNC) machine to manufacture a component. The CAM Assist add-in for Autodesk Fusion 360 is newly available for Autodesk customers. In this session, CloudNC founder Theo Saville shows how CAM Assist generates machining strategies in one click, enabling any user to reduce their CAM programming time and operate at a more advanced level, with greater consistency. CAM Assist helps workshop operators fill the manufacturing skills gap and optimize their team to scale revenue by enabling less-experienced programmers to do far more and machine more-complex components.

This class is designed for existing users of the Fusion 360 3D CAD platform who are looking to take advantage of the computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) capabilities. Topics covered will include workholding, multiple setups, multipart setups, 3+2 machining, setup sheet customization, and post processing.

From cataloging tooling to final post processing, this class will walk through the world of Inventor CAM software. We’ll review several real-world examples to see the different machining operations and their options. For anyone from hobbyist to professional, Inventor CAM really is the one-size-fits-all software for your machining needs. We’ll then turn to Inventor Nesting and look at how Inventor quickly creates nested sheets from assemblies, as well as from other 2D profiles. Examples will include sheet metal and woodworking projects. In both workflows, we’ll modify the source files to show that the machining paths and nestings automatically update.