Note: This article is written and published in Spanish and is a translated version of the original that you can find here.
Introduction
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) in CNC manufacturing processes has come a long way since its first implementations in machine shops. For decades, the goal has been the same: to translate a digital design into safe, efficient, and accurate toolpaths. However, the way to get there has changed radically. What used to require hours of manual programming and in-depth knowledge of the software and the machine, is now beginning to transform into increasingly automated, intelligent and assisted processes.
The emergence of artificial intelligence, AI, marks a turning point. More than just an evolution, it's a real reconfiguration of the role of the CAM programmer—from a meticulous creator of toolpaths to supervisor of strategic decisions made by systems capable of learning and optimizing. In this context, Autodesk Fusion is positioning itself as one of the pioneering platforms, gradually integrating AI-based tools such as CAMAssist and the upcoming Autodesk Assistant, which redefine the experience of programming a part.
In this article we will explore what this journey has been like: from traditional CNC programming, through CAM software and reaching today's intelligent assistants; what tangible benefits this technology brings, what its current limitations are, and what the future of digital manufacturing looks like.
The evolution of CNC machining: From manual programming to intelligent assistance
The path of programming of numerically controlled machining processes can be divided into the following stages:
- Manual Starts
- It all depended on the programmer and his mastery of G-codeand knowledge about machine tool and cutting technologies.
- The learning curve was steep, and mistakes were paid for with faulty parts or even broken machines.
- Need for specialized niche technical personnel due to the wide range of machinery, controls and software on the market.
- The advent of CAM software
- Thefirst solutions appeared, making toolpath definition easier and reducing programming time.
- However,most parameters the user still had to manually set feeds, depths, finishes, etc.
- Optimization and automated strategies
- With improved algorithms,adaptive roughing, toolpath optimization, and realistic simulations emerged.
- Operation wizards for creating specific toolpaths such as deburring, drilling, or machining 3D.
- Intuitive multi-axis programming.
- The CAM began to guide the user, but always under the strict supervision of the technician.
- The leap to AI
- AI enters the scene not only to suggest toolpaths, but also to anticipate problems and propose solutions adapted to the context of the design, machine and tool.
- Here a new stage is born: that of the AI-assisted CAM, where the software acts as a co-pilot of the programmer.
- Professionals, thanks to the assistance of artificial intelligence, are able to be more productive, make fewer errors, follow much more standardized guidelines and get rid of the most tedious or repetitive tasks; among other advantages.
Autodesk Fusion: the natural integration of AI into the CAD/CAM environment
Autodesk Fusion is now a benchmark in this evolution. It's not just a CAD/CAM software, it has been able to integrate AI in a gradual and practical way, without breaking with the usual workflows. Here we would highlight two different solutions within Fusion:
- CAMAssist:
- Creates the toolpaths required to machine a model from a selection of a setup, machine, tooling list and stock.
- Introduced as a wizard capable of automatically analysing the model and proposing machining operations in 2D, 3D and 3+2 axis milling.
- It reduces the repetitive load on similar parts and frees up the programmer to focus on strategic decisions.
- A variety of customizable preferences as well as tools to assist with the creation of soft grippers.
- Autodesk Assistant (upcoming implementation):
- You'll take assistance a step further, by integrating a conversational AI system within Fusion.{ 1}
- It will allow you to consult doubts, generate recommendations in real time and learn from the user's behavior.
- Their goal is not to replace the coach, but to become an extension of their knowledge.
Impact for professionals
The implementation of AI in CAM opens up a range of possibilities:
- Greater accessibility: new users will be able to start machining with fewer barriers to entry and with a much more comfortable learning curve.
- Reduced time Less manual programming and more automation of repetitive tasks makes programmers more productive by delegating repetitive tasks to AI.
- Accumulated knowledge: AI can learn from the user's patterns, standardizing processes within a workshop while learning from the user through machine learning.
- Focus on the critical: the programmer focuses on key decisions, delegating the repetitive part to AI, thus achieving a greater focus on what is important, which favors the reduction of errors and the standardization of the different processes and forms of CNC/CAM programming.
The evolution of CAM teaches us a clear lesson: every technological advance does not eliminate the programmer, but redefines his role. With the advent of AI, the professional becomes more than ever a strategist, capable of making high-level decisions while delegating the most routine tasks to the software.
Autodesk Fusion, with CAMAssist and the upcoming Autodesk Assistant, is an example of how this integration can be natural, scalable, and beneficial. The future of CAM will be a space where human expertise and artificial intelligence work side by side, always bearing in mind that AI does not replace the professional, but rather enhances their productive capacity. Human expertise remains essential for validating processes, interpreting complex situations, and ensuring final quality.
Conclusions
Artificial intelligence is not a fad in manufacturing, but atransformative tool that is already redefining the way we program, plan, and produce. Recent developments show that we are not talking about a distant promise, but a tangible change that is already happening in workshops and companies around the world.
In this context, Autodesk Fusion,with its proposal forCAMAssist and the upcoming Autodesk Assistant, represents a decisive step towards a more intuitive, efficient, and accessible CAM. These solutions not only reduce programming times and errors, but also make the machining experience available to more professionals, democratizing access to advanced technology.
The future of AI-assisted machining isn't about replacing human knowledge, it's about empowering it. The experience, creativity and problem-solving skills of programmers and operators will continue to be irreplaceable, but now they will have tools that multiply their reach and productivity.
This balance between human knowledge and the power of AI will undoubtedly be the key to competitiveness in the coming years. Those companies and professionals who know how to integrate both dimensions will be better prepared to face the challenges of modern industry: from reducing costs and delivery times, to customizing products and adapting to an increasingly changing demand.
In short, we are witnessing the beginning of a new era in machining, where artificial intelligence ceases to be an aspirational concept to become a strategic ally in the day-to-day of manufacturing.
You can download CAMAssist for Autodesk Fusion and start adopting Artificial Intelligence in your CNC CAM programming processes through the following link:
https://www.cloudnc.com/cam-assist/fusion-360
For more information about the arrival of Autodesk Assistant, stay tuned and do not hesitate to attend the next Autodesk University 2025, where AI, without a doubt, will be one of the technologies that you will have the most minutes on stage:
https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/es
See you next blog!
Note: This article is written and published in Spanish and is a translated version of the original that you can find here.
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