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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sit down with the HSM CAM development team to discuss the current road map and share your needs and requirements for the HSM-based CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) offerings at Autodesk, Inc. We will cover HSMWorks software, Inventor HSM software, and Fusion 360 software. This session features Inventor HSM and Fusion 360.

When computer numerical control (CNC) machining parts, it is often desirable to create parts with a fine or smooth surface finish. This becomes even more important when machining for the mold-making or die-making industries. This class will provide tips and strategies for getting the highest-quality surface finishes from your CNC machining. Some areas of discussion will include tooling and holders for maximum rigidity, mill and control parameters to check for optimum surface finish, CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) software parameters and strategies that lead to better finishes, and milling tolerance and point distribution. This class is designed to capture the best practices for the industry, and would be applicable whichever CAM product you are using, such as Delcam’s PowerMILL and FeatureCAM software, HSMWorks add-in, Inventor HSM software, or Fusion 360 software. This session features PowerMill and FeatureCAM.

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

This class will cover a complete design process inside Fusion 360 software using different modeling tools and discovering tip and tricks for using the Freeform commands in a better way. As you know, there are many differences between classic NURBS modeling and T-spline. Especially for consumer goods parts, it is important to integrate the process with solid modeling features like shell, ribs, and bosses. During the lesson we will cover 10 golden rules for speeding up and increasing the quality of Freeform modeling and creating a good integration with solid modeling stuff. We will do all the process using Fusion 360 software. In the last part of the class we will show the workflow from the model to the first prototyping product and to the integrated computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) for mold making.

See this AU expert’s work in the gallery

Feature-based computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems enable users to automate their manufacturing processes to minimize the learning curve for new users, as well as help even the newest user to produce reliable toolpaths quickly and efficiently. Learn how Delcam’s FeatureCAM can automatically select the tooling as well as feeds and speeds required, enabling you to standardize your manufacturing processes.

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.

Professional drone racing is now and the market is hungry for new dynamic designs to feed the sport! This class will go in depth with Fusion 360 software in tandem with Flow Design wind-tunnel simulator to demystify the working fundamentals of mainstream racing drones. Attendees will learn essential steps in creating a CAM (computer-aided manufacturing)-ready, aerodynamic airframe around imported component files. This session features Fusion 360 and Flow Design.

Most CAD/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) tools are designed to enable engineers to design and manufacture products. From the very beginning ArtCAM software has been developed to enable artists and designer to create whatever they can imagine. ArtCAM is used in a variety of sectors from jewelry and coin minting, to the design and manufacture of architectural cornicing and facades. The common theme across these sectors is the desire to produce intricate artistic forms with incredible detail that can then be quickly and easily machined or 3D printed. This class will introduce you to the process that will enable you to take a simple 2D drawing and convert it into a complex decorative relief and machine it.

This class will describe the workflows that Optomec uses to translate CAD designs into printed features on existing parts or surfaces. We will cover specific additive-manufacturing challenges that are related to Aerosol Jet printing and how we have used Autodesk, Inc., packages to address our needs. We will further explore the subtle differences between additive and subtractive manufacturing and how Autodesk has worked to address the philosophical differences in an easy-to-understand way. Attendees will develop a deeper knowledge of the use of Autodesk products for additive manufacturing and how they can be adapted to suit their specific additive requirements. Attendees will also learn about the differences between additive and subtractive methodologies and how they apply to CAD and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) development as a whole. This session features AutoCAD and FeatureCAM.

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.

This class provides not only the techniques but the actual working methods and workflows that are used by the top performers in the woodworking and fabrication industry. Software and processes exist that, when working properly together, can perform the tedious steps in a fraction of the time. This class focuses on the how-to, and provides actual workflows that are not out-of-the-box. Learn about unique construction procedures that use the latest versions of AutoCAD® software, Revit®-based software, Inventor® software, and computer-aided manufacturing tools (CAM). Through demonstration and lecture, the class presents methods for the wood trades—tasks that usually take days for architects, designers, engineers, fabricators, and model makers to complete can be cut down to hours. Also using the latest tools in solid-assembly modeling and woodworking-specific feature-recognition technology, we demonstrate how to get from a completely assembled 3D model to machine-ready, nested, NC code with almost no user intervention (controlling machinery).

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.