Fusion 360 CAM tutorial for CNC beginners | How to

In today’s video today we cover how to cut more complex shapes on your CNC using fusion 360. Thanks Inventables for sponsoring this video. You can do cool stuff like curves, slopes, and complex layers, even if you’re a beginner! 👇 helpful links and time-stamps below! 👇

(affiliate links)

TIMESTAMPS
0:37 Types of cuts
1:08 Process overview
2:00 CAM
2:29 CAM - setup
2:41 CAM - setup - stock tab (material)
3:14 CAM - setup - setup tab (orientation and zero)
4:07 CAM - tools
4:11 CAM - tools - cloud libraries
4:21 CAM - tools - add new tool
4:38 CAM - tools - speeds and feeds
5:21 CAM - toolpaths
5:39 CAM - toolpaths - passes we use
6:28 CAM - toolpaths - customize toolpath
6:36 CAM - toolpaths - customize toolpath - tool tab
6:43 CAM - toolpaths - customize toolpath - geometry tab
7:35 CAM - toolpaths - customize toolpath - heights tab
7:42 CAM - toolpaths - customize toolpath - passes tab
8:31 CAM - toolpaths - customize toolpath - linking tab
8:51 G-code
9:42 Machine Controller
9:58 Carve!

For more detailed Fusion 360 tutorials check out:

TOOLS / MATERIALS (affiliate)

FILMING GEAR (affiliate)

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MUSIC
Flix and Chill by Joakim Karud

THANK YOU TOP PATREON SUPPORTERS!
■ Katelyn’s Mom
■ Kit Low
■ Corey Ward
■ Brooke Boen
■ Matt Baker
■ Jason Kaczmarsky
■ Cameron Dorsey
■ Allen Canterbury
■ George Partin
■ Sam Atkins
■ Thistledoo
■ Richard Johnson
■ Jim Greene
■ Calli Blanchette
■ Jon Schwartz
■ Chris Hayes
■ David Bellhorn
■ Ryan Erskine
■ SeaBass
■ Timothy Van Colen
■ Kyle Hord
■ Evan’s parents
■ Nick Biederman
■ Chuck Burgmuller
■ Pamela Toh

There are 3 different types of carving a CNC can do: outlines and flat surfaces are the most comment, but you can also get complex 3D shapes like curves, slopes, and very detailed layers. With Fusion 360, you can do the complex shapes, and we’ll walk you through how to do that today.

We’ll start with an overview. Generally speaking, the steps to doing this are: 1) CAD, 2) CAM (comprised of details for your setup, tool, and tool path), 3) G-Code, 4) Machine Controller, 5) CNC.

We’ll skip over CAD because that’s a whole tutorial on its own, and we’ll jump straight into CAM. CAM is basically showing the CNC how to carve your model out of your stock material. But Fusion 360 can’t read your mind, so you have to input all this information. Open your model in Fusion and click on the CAM tab. You’ll start by creating a new setup. This is where you’ll define 1) what the raw material is, 2) how your model is oriented, and 3) what you want to end up with.

[EvanAndKatelyn]

Did y'all know we have *4 channels* now? This main one, plus:
🎮 Evan and Katelyn Gaming
(us playing games and chatting, enhanced by epic editing and a heavy dose of memes)
🎙️ Evan and Katelyn Podcast
(chatting about life, YouTube stuff, and playing games you can play along with)
😹 Evan and Katelyn Too youtube.com/evanandkatelyn2
(still figuring this one out 😂)

[danzizzle]

You know it's a great tutorial when you watch the whole thing and you don't even have a CNC carver. Keep up the amazing work!

[tocov]

Man I don't own a CNC machine and have never even been in close proximity to one, but I found this video very enjoyable and informative. Way to go guys.

[EvanAndKatelyn]

Hey y'all! One additional quick tip: we recommend conventional (as opposed to climb) milling for machines like the x-carve or carvey (found in passes tab).

Also, if there's enough interest, we could do a YouTube Live walk-through of the process start-to-finish, answering questions along the way. Let us know if that's something you'd want, and if enough people are down, we're down! -E&K

[taydll]

I just bought a cnc and i was just searching around for some good tutorials for making my models/whatever they are called. I have been familiar with 3d printing for a while and thought why not do woodworking with the cnc so i use fusion 360 some.. and can i tell you how OVERLY excited i was when i found this EvanAndKatelyn video... Super hype!

[MacPennington]

I finished my CNC build last fall, just in time to make everyone signs for Christmas. They were a big hit, but now I'm ready for some 3D or at least 2.5 D and Fusion 360 ! It's been a little more than two years since you made this video and Fusion 360 has changed names and locations of things you point out in your video - so that adds to the challenge. You make it look so easy - Wish me luck!

[beeleywood]

I could watch this type of video all day. Such an easy way of showing us noobs. More please

[georgikrastev]

I am quite uncertain which is the cutest - Kevin, the cat or you guys as a couple. Whichever it is, this is an amazing and helpful video. And it is highly appreciated by a CNC total noob such as me.

[AdamOravetz]

That was by far the easiest explanation of CAM I have found so far. Thanks!

[CCcummins]

I know this is 3 years old and you guys probably won't see this but you should totally bring Kevin into your streams and throw back to this video since we are the Kevins. :D Is so cute!

[Poolboy]

"The devil is in the details" You apologized for the screen shots but it was within those shots and your dialog that I learned about "additional offset". I have been fighting the cutter not going to the base of the part for some time and couldn't find out why. You saved me! Thank you for the screenshots and the step by step to understand why I was having an issue that most would see as "elementary".

[barefootlyrooted]

I really like how you illustrated you're entire workflow. It helped pull some concepts together!

[not_riley]

I don't know who those deranged people are that gave you guys 111 dislikes, because this is the most helpful guide i've come across for getting started with my cnc. There was a section where i was a bit lost around the management of the cuts (the 3d adaptive clearing), but that's mainly because I'm working with a simple 2d cut. I eventually got it. Again, this is the best guide for beginning with cnc's on youtube. Thank you.

[harldave]

Wow. Out of the hundreds of videos I've watched, this was the most lay men's video I've seen for a total and I do mean total newbie. You have a subscriber

[joecnc]

Great work Evan & Katelyn! I am amazed at how the Fusion 360 interface has changed (and actually - it's not for the better - the old interfaces were nicer.) You should maybe consider doing a re-make with the latest interface.

[gaudywidget]

Ive had the Xcarve for almost a year and just carved my first relief carving from watching this video! Thanks guys and keep it up!!

[JimValentine]

All I have to say is THANK YOU! This got me over the hump going from model to cam. Tool paths now make sense.

[alexmartir]

You guys are so awesome. Great chemistry between you two, and really instructive/funny videos. Make more!!

[furthernorthfab]

Thanks, guys. This is great! You can really unlock the capabilities of a CNC like the XCARVE once you figure out CAM

[kumarrohitsoin]

You Guys Are Awesome! Learning went from boring to 'FUN' with you guys.