CAM and Design Manufacturing for Mechanical Engineers with Autodesk Fusion 360

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/cam-design-manufacturing-mechanical-engineers

Introduction

### Course Review: CAM and Design Manufacturing for Mechanical Engineers with Autodesk Fusion 360 If you’re a mechanical engineer or an aspiring designer looking to deepen your understanding of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and the intricate relationship between design and manufacturing, the course **"CAM and Design Manufacturing for Mechanical Engineers with Autodesk Fusion 360"** on Coursera is an excellent choice. Offering a comprehensive blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, this course is both applicable and relevant to professionals in the field of mechanical engineering. #### Course Overview The course emphasizes a crucial aspect of mechanical engineering: designing with manufacturing in mind. By integrating manufacturing considerations into the design phase, the course advocates for an approach that minimizes post-production issues, ultimately leading to more cost-effective and efficient designs. Throughout the course, participants learn how to break down end products into manageable assemblies, considering the tolerances of each piece and how they interact during production. #### Syllabus Breakdown The course is structured into four informative weeks, each focusing on a unique aspect of design and manufacturing: 1. **Week 1: Drafting for Manufacture** - This week serves as an introduction to creating detailed drawings intended for production. It emphasizes the importance of identifying critical features and understanding how to accurately customize drawings. This foundational skill is crucial for ensuring that manufactured parts meet design specifications. 2. **Week 2: Design for Manufacture** - Participants delve into the nuances of modifying existing designs for manufacturability. Topics include tool accessibility, the design of fixturing, and material removal processes. This week is pivotal in understanding the costs associated with part setup and raw material preparation, equipping learners with the skills to optimize design for production. 3. **Week 3: Setting up a CNC Milling Program** - This week focuses on the practical aspects of creating CNC milling programs. Students will learn to create and manage a tool library, establish setups, and create essential milling and drilling toolpaths. These skills form the backbone of practical machining processes, making this week particularly valuable for aspiring machinists and engineers. 4. **Week 4: Machining Complex Geometry** - In the final week, students tackle machining complexities involved in roughing and finishing 3D shapes. The course covers various toolpaths and their applications based on geometry, allowing learners to make informed decisions on machining processes. #### Course Strengths - **Hands-On Learning**: The course is well-structured, with a balance of theory and hands-on applications using Autodesk Fusion 360, a leading tool in the field of design and manufacturing. - **Expert Instructors**: Courses on Coursera often feature industry experts, and this one is no different. Learning from seasoned professionals adds immense value to the educational experience. - **Flexible Learning Pace**: With the ability to learn at your own pace, this course accommodates busy schedules while ensuring a thorough understanding of each topic. #### Recommendations I highly recommend **"CAM and Design Manufacturing for Mechanical Engineers with Autodesk Fusion 360"** for anyone looking to enhance their design and manufacturing skills. Whether you are a student, recent graduate, or a professional seeking to refine your abilities, this course provides critical insights into the manufacturing process. Taking this course will equip you with the knowledge necessary to design effective manufacturing solutions, making you a more competent and competitive player in the mechanical engineering field. The skills you acquire will not just apply to Autodesk Fusion 360 but are transferable to various design and manufacturing software and practices. ### Conclusion Overall, this course is a must for anyone interested in the intersection of design and manufacturing. If you’re ready to elevate your mechanical engineering skills, sign up today and start learning how to create designs that are not only innovative but also manufacturable. Your journey to mastering CAM through Autodesk Fusion 360 begins here!

Syllabus

Drafting for Manufacture

In Week 1, we’ll focus on the creation of detailed drawings for production. Understanding not only how to create or customize a drawing, but also how to identify critical features or aspects of a design on a drawing is key to helping ensure the parts you get are the parts you want.

In Week 2, we’ll discuss topics surrounding the review and modification of designs for manufacture. From tool accessibility, to understanding the required tools and the design of fixturing and soft jaws for vises, this week will help prepare for programming toolpaths. We explore and understand the cost associated with part setup, raw stock, and material removal to better identify design changes for production.

In Week 3, we’ll focus on setting up and creating a CNC milling program. We’ll lay the foundation for all programs by creating and managing a tool library, defining a setup, and creating milling and drilling toolpaths. The setup and creation of these will be the basis for nearly every milling program.

In Week 4, we’ll cover additional toolpaths required to help rough and finish complex 3D shapes. Understanding the toolpaths available and the types of geometry they can be used on will help you to make informed decisions on any part. Toolpaths often have strengths and weaknesses based on the geometry and we'll identify some of these to help get your parts to the shop floor quicker.