• Fusion

Creating Toolpaths for a CNC Lathe

Setup and create toolpaths for a CNC lathe.


Course overview

While CNC machines have a lot of flexibility with the geometry they can make, there generally isn’t just one machine that can do it all. A CNC lathe is fundamentally different than a CNC mill. One turns the tool, the other turns the part. From a fundamental level ,we’ll review the coordinate system, tools and their relative positions, and then build upon cutting geometry with turning toolpaths.

After completing this course, you'll be able to:

  • Recognize unique setup options for a CNC lathe.
  • Create roughing and finishing turning toolpaths.
  • Simulate toolpaths for a CNC lathe.
  • Output machine readable code.

Course downloads

These downloadable resources will be used to complete modules in this course:

Course outline

10 min.

Getting started

Discover what you will learn in this course and download the software and resources you will need.

Discover what you will learn in this course and download the software and resources you will need.


1 hr. 10 min.

Set up and cut a profile

Learn how to set up and create turning toolpaths in Fusion.

Learn how to set up and create turning toolpaths in Fusion.

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

  • Recognize unique setup options for a lathe.
  • Practice creating a CAM setup.
  • Identify lathe tool orientation.
  • Create roughing and finishing operations.
  • Understand lead and transition settings.


1 hr.

Internal and external grooving toolpaths

Create single and multiple groove operations on the inside and outside of turned parts.

Create single and multiple groove operations on the inside and outside of turned parts.

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

  • Create a single groove toolpath.
  • Create multiple groove toolpaths.
  • Create internal and external toolpaths.


1 hr. 5 min.

Threading, chamfering, and C-axis operations for turning

Create chamfer operations to break sharp edges on turned parts. Then learn about threading, tapping, and C-axis machining operations.

Create chamfer operations to break sharp edges on turned parts. Then learn about threading, tapping, and C-axis machining operations.

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

  • Create a chamfer toolpath.
  • Create external threading toolpaths.
  • Create internal drilling and tapping operations.
  • Create C-axis milling toolpaths.


1 hr.

CNC lathe stock handling

Learn how to finish a part with a manual part-off operation or while using multiple spindles to handle stock transfers.

Learn how to finish a part with a manual part-off operation or while using multiple spindles to handle stock transfers.

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

  • Explain the need for stock transfer.
  • Create parting toolpaths.
  • Create stock transfer and sub-spindle operations.


1 hr. 30 min.

Course challenge

This challenge brings all the skills covered in this course into a final exploratory assignment.

This challenge is designed to help you to explore the tools you have learned. There's no single correct solution. Instead, use this as an opportunity to practice skills to creatively solve a design challenge. You can either use the output of the previous challenge or upload the provided dataset parting – lc.f3d to a location inside your project. Perform a stock transfer using a Turning toolpath sequence of Spindle Chuck, Part, and Spindle Return. For the Turning Part toolpath, use an OD Groove tool from the Fusion Library, or create a custom tool.

The following steps/items are required:

  • Create a Turning Secondary Spindle Chuck operation.
  • Create a Turning Part operation with the specified tool.
  • Create a Turning Secondary Spindle Return operation.
  • Verify that the Turning operations are executed correctly by using the Simulate tool.


45 min.

Practice test

Now that you have completed the course lessons, exercises, and challenge assignments, take this practice exam to test your knowledge before taking the Autodesk Certified Associate in CAM for Turning exam.

Now that you have completed the course lessons, exercises, and challenge assignments, take this practice exam to test your knowledge before taking the Autodesk Certified Associate in CAM for Turning exam.