Tool Paths
On this page, you can find the appropriate tool paths for your project. To create your tool paths, download the toolpath file that matches your material and the CNC type below, and import it into Fusion 360 by following the guide further down this page.
Foam (Roland CNC)
Wood (Roland CNC)
Wood (VHF CNC)
Uploading the Tool Path File
Upload the Tool Path file by clicking the file icon in the top left corner of Fusion 360 and press "upload". Find the location that you downloaded the "Tool Paths 2" file on your PC.
Once uploaded, press "Show data panel" and click on "Admin Projects" to find your uploaded file and double click on it. It may take a moment for the uploaded file to appear.
With the Tool Path file open, you can now copy and paste the tool paths directly into your own file which is now in another tab of Fusion 360. Right click on the toolpath you want and click copy.
Go into your own file, right click your setup and click paste.
Once your toolpath is pasted into your setup, you can right-click and select "edit" to select what to machine in the toolpath.
3D Roughing and finishing (same process)
After you have clicked edit on the tool path, choose the geometry tab.
Undet the Geometry tab, click on machining boundary. Choose the area or multiple areas of where the CNC should machine within and click "OK" in the bottom.
Contour cut
For Contour selection, select the outer or inner line you want to cut.
2D Pocket
In order to cut a pocket into your material, copy the tool path called "2D Pocket" from the Tool Path file and paste it into your setup.
Right click the 2D Pocket toolpath and click edit
Select the pockets you like to mill out. The selections should turn blue.
Bore/drill
Repeat the steps from “Contour Cut” or “2D Pocket,” but select the “Bore” toolpath instead. Choose the inner area or bottom circle of the holes you want to bore. Holes larger than 5 mm in diameter can be bored using a 4 mm bit.
Simulation
You can right-click your setup and select “Simulate” to preview your toolpaths before creating the .nc file.
Check that the tool doesn’t cut too deep or collide with any objects.
Move the slider to the right to increase the simulation speed.
Post Processor
To convert your toolpaths into G-code, which the CNC machine can read, you need to install a machine-specific preset called a post processor. If you haven’t installed it yet, click the link below and follow the installation instructions. Once installed, return to this guide and continue with the final step, “Post Process.”
Post ProcessorExporting a file for the CNC
When your toolpath is ready, right-click the setup and select “Post Process” to generate a .nc file.
Save the file to a USB drive and load it into the CNC machine’s CAM software.
Before running the file, follow the machine setup instructions in the next section.
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