CAM software for CNC Machining

Improve and automate computer-aided manufacturing workflows for CNC machining with Fusion 360, professional design and CAM software.

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What is CAM software?

CAM stands for computer-aided manufacturing. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software helps people create programs for various CNC machines to support different manufacturing processes. These include milling, turning, turn-mill, cutting, probing, part inspection, additive manufacturing, and more.

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What is the difference between CAD and CAM?

CAD stands for computer-aided design. Much like CAM, CAD uses computational power and software to help designers create more complex and capable designs than they could have by hand. CAD and CAM are different. CAD helps designers create digital representations called 3D models while CAM helps write code to drive CNC machines that create physical parts.

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Why is computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software important?

CAM unlocks tons of automation and powerful capabilities that simply wouldn’t be possible using conversational or handwritten NC code. High-efficiency roughing toolpaths use algorithms that require computers to calculate. Creating toolpaths for complex geometry can be near impossible to do by hand, making CAM software necessary.

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Fusion 360 is software for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)

Fusion 360 includes a full suite of CAM tools and toolpaths to support many processes including milling, turning, cutting, and additive manufacturing. Fusion 360 integrates CAD, engineering, documentation, and collaboration tools directly with CAM to improve workflows and address the entire product development process.

What industries use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)?

Automotive

From high strength billet machined parts to the mold and die used to produce fiberglass shells for a wide range of car bodies.

 

Industrial machinery

Whether it’s sheet metal fabrication or bringing castings within tolerance, CAM software is used widely in industrial machinery.

 

Life sciences

Both additive and subtractive manufacturing are used to make dental implants, prosthesis, and even joint replacement parts.

 

Aerospace

Aerospace requires CAM to make high-strength, tight tolerance parts where billet machined aluminum and titanium are common.

 

What is computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software used for?

Creating subtractive manufacturing toolpaths

Often called machining, this process removes material from an initial block or casting of stock to make the final product. This process often uses mills, lathes, or more complex machines.

 

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Creating additive manufacturing toolpaths

Additive manufacturing is the process of creating parts by depositing material. There are many specific processes under the umbrella of additive manufacturing, but all require CAM software.

 

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Creating NC code or G-code for your machine

Once toolpaths have been created, CAM software creates the NC code used to drive the CNC machine. Code tailored to a specific machine can take advantage of special configurations and options.

 

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Benefits of using Fusion 360 for CAM

Integrated CAD/CAM software

Make quality parts faster with truly integrated 3D CAD/CAM software for machinists.

Powerful strategies at an affordable cost

Make complex parts quickly and accurately at a fraction of the cost of similar solutions.

Seamless collaboration across teams

Collaborate with shared tool libraries, post processors, custom defaults, and more, syncing best practices across your team.

How CAM software for CNC machining is used

Autodesk Fusion 360 - Professional CAM software for CNC machining

Fusion 360

Cloud-based 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software for product design

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Fusion 360 Machining Extension

Gain access to advanced manufacturing functionality

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Fusion 360 for Manufacturing

Expand your advanced manufacturing capabilities

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Resources for CAM software

Learn what Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) is and how it uses toolpaths, G-code, and CNC machines to turn 3D CAD models into products.

 

Dives into the benefits of integrated, cloud CAD + CAM software, including collaboration, automation, and organization.

 

Identify the key daily challenges machine shops face and how integrated CAD/CAM software like Fusion 360 can solve them.

 

Learn about how Autodesk Fusion 360, a cloud-based, integrated CAD/CAM software, can transform your design process.

 

Learn how to use the CAM workspace inside Fusion 360 to go from a design model to a programmed part that is ready for manufacture.

 

View video tutorials on how to get started with CAM in Autodesk Fusion 360.

 

Best CAM software free download

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on CAM software

Find answers to frequently asked questions about CAM CNC software.

What is CAM software used for?

CAM software is used to create a set of instructions for different machines. Often these instructions are in the form of G code or a similar coding language that tells the machine what to do, where to go and how to get there. This language is not very friendly to humans, and CAM software acts as a mediator between how humans work and how a machine receives instructions. This basic framework can apply to a variety of applications, including milling, turning, mill/turning, Swiss machining, fabrication, robotics and additive manufacturing.

How much does CAM software cost?

The cost of CAM software can vary greatly. Entry level packages may be affordable, it’s common for specialised CAM software to climb to the cost of $25,000 USD or more. Legacy CAM software also has maintenance fees required to receive yearly updates. Other hidden costs like post processors apply to most CAM packages, to allow use with the CNC machine. Fusion 360 offers a low cost but comprehensive alternative, starting at $2000/year for access to our entire manufacturing portfolio. There are no additional maintenance costs, and there's a library of fully customisable post processors for free.

How does CAM software work?

Generally, computer-aided manufacturing software is used to create toolpaths. These aptly named operations define the path the cutting tool will take while removing or adding material. Specific parameters like cutting speed, spindle speed, type of motion, stepover, stepdown and more are defined in the CAM software to fit the user's specific application, which the computer uses to generate the actual toolpath. Then the post processor translates the toolpath data into NC code that the machine can understand.

What are the advantages of computer-aided manufacturing?

CAM software has several advantages over handwritten code or conversational (at the control) programming. First, complex toolpaths that would be impossible to write by hand can be created using CAM software. This includes complex tool motion found in high efficiency roughing toolpaths that leverage high computation algorithms or complex tool motion created from complex part geometry. CAM software like Fusion 360 is associative to the CAD model, so changes to the model automatically update the toolpath, saving time and reducing rework. CAM also allows programs to be created while a job is running on the machine, increasing overall productivity.

Can Fusion 360 generate G-code?

Yes, Fusion 360 can generate G-code for many CNC machines thanks to its large library of post processors. G-code is a language that many CNC machines use to operate and how programmers and operators feed instructions to the machine. While it may seem antiquated, generating G-code is an important part of the programming workflow for the large majority of machinists today.

Does Fusion 360 have CAM?

Yes, Fusion 360 includes a full suite of CAM software to program a variety of CNC machines. Fusion 360 manufacturing has a modern interface and helpful tips built in to make programming easy to learn and CAM easy to use. It’s a great low-cost option to start automating your machining and programming processes.