Seth Madore
Seth, an accomplished machinist on the Autodesk Fusion team, explains three ways to create setup sheets in Fusion —NC Program, HTML, and Excel—so machinists get clear tools, feeds, speeds, and runtime details at the machine.
Elevate your design and manufacturing processes with Autodesk Fusion
Autodesk Fusion gives CAM programmers three reliable options for generating repeatable, machinist-friendly setup sheets—and the best choice depends on how your shop prefers to work. In this post, we’ll walk through each method to create set-up sheets in Fusion, step by step and show you how to customize the output so your setup sheets match your shop’s standards.
Why setup sheets matter
Setup sheets are the critical link between programming and the shop floor. They capture the essential details—tools, feeds, speeds, workholding—so operators can set up confidently without chasing the programmer for clarification. Done well, setup sheets in Fusion reduce mistakes, shorten setup time, and make it easier to train new operators on complex parts.
A good setup sheet in Fusion should include:
- Tool list with numbers, descriptions, diameters, and flute counts
- Feeds, speeds, and coolant details for each operation
- Estimated cycle time and maximum feed rate
- Workholding/WCS notes and any special instructions
Before you start, make sure you have:
- A completed Setup in the Manufacture workspace
- Regenerated toolpaths ready to post
Method 1: NC program setup sheets (Recommended default)
This is the modern Fusion workflow. It ties documentation directly to NC programs, creating a single source of truth for both code and setup data.
Steps:
- In Manufacture, right-click your Setup and choose Create NC Program.
- In the dialog, select your machine, post processor, program name/number, and output options.
- Click OK (don’t post yet). This creates an NC Program node in the Browser.
- Right-click the NC Program and choose Setup Sheet.
- Name the sheet, choose a location, and save. Fusion calculates operations and opens the sheet.
What you’ll see:
- Part name and setup identifier
- Number of operations and estimated cycle time
- Maximum feed rate
- Full tool list with key parameters
Use the configuration dropdown to switch between tools-only views, compact summaries, or image-heavy layouts. Because these sheets are stored with your Fusion document, they’re ideal for remote machinists or teams using tablets on the shop floor.
Method 2: Legacy HTML setup sheets
HTML setup sheets are simple, file-based reports that open in any browser. They’re great if your shop relies on printed sheets or shared network folders.
Steps:
- From the Setup, use the classic Setup Sheet command (separate from NC Program).
- Save the file to your hard drive. Fusion generates an HTML sheet and opens it in your browser.
Best for:
- Operators who expect printed documents
- Shops that store setup docs in shared folders
- Lightweight reporting that mirrors older CAM workflows
Method 3: Excel-based setup sheets via post
If your shop tracks tools, runtimes, and setups in spreadsheets, this method is powerful. These sheets are generated by specialized post processors that output structured data to Excel or CSV.
Steps:
- Open Post Process from a Setup or NC Program.
- Browse the Fusion post library for “setup sheet” posts (HTML, XLS, XLSX, CSV variants).
- Select an Excel-type post and click OK to generate the output.
- Save and open the file in Excel.
What you’ll get:
- Tool table with parameters
- Operation table with strategies, feeds, speeds, and cycle times
- Fields ready for sorting, filtering, and reporting
Because these use the same post engine as G-code, you can customize exactly which fields appear and how they’re formatted.
Customizing setup sheet posts
HTML and Excel setup sheets are driven by specialized post processors, so you can edit them to match your shop’s standard forms.
Common customizations:
- Match the look of legacy paper sheets
- Add columns for inspection checkpoints or sign-off initials
- Align tool numbering and descriptions with shop standards
- Create operator vs. programmer views with tailored detail
Standardized setup sheets save time, reduce errors, and improve communication between programming and the shop floor. Whether you prefer NC Program-based sheets, HTML reports, or Excel-driven workflows, Fusion gives you the flexibility to choose—and customize—the method that fits your shop best.