Chapter 5. CAM: Make Toolpaths
Computer-aided manufacturing, or CAM, programs are used to define toolpaths—the roadmap a CNC follows to physically cut a digital design file.
Toolpaths are (typically) created by importing a 2D CAD or vector graphic or a 3D model into a CAM program, and then applying operations and parameters to that file. Parameters are user-entered values, such as the diameter of your cutter, speeds and feeds, and cut depth. These values are applied to operations, or cutting types, creating the instructions (made up of coordinates), that tell the machine how to move and cut.
Like 2D and 3D design software, 2D and 3D CAM programs are completely separate software packages. They import different file types and have different features ...
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