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2026-2027 College Catalog

MAC 258 - Computer Aided Machining (CAM) Programming II

6 Contact Hours, 4 Credits
2 lecture periods 4 lab periods


Intermediate use of the Computer Aided Machining (CAM) environment used for programming for CNC mills with an introduction to the CAM programming environment for CNC lathes. Includes wireframe, surfaces, and solid model geometries to create 3D cutting operations in milling applications. Also includes solid model importing, with a focus on 3D milling applications from solid models. Includes a review of shop safety, CNC operations, and basic 2.5D CAM functions.

Prerequisite(s): MAC 257  
Information: Students with industry experience should see a Machining faculty member for more information about the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.
Button linking to AZ Transfer course equivalency guide    button image Prior Learning and link to PLA webpage

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Create and edit three-dimensional (3D) profile surfaces.
  2. Create 3D surfacing toolpaths for CNC mills from solid models.
  3. Exhibit the ability to generate code for different numerical control machines.
  4. Demonstrate use of CAM software to create and organize 2.5D milling tool paths to machine a part.
  5. Create and execute a CAM process to complete 3D surfacing projects in CNC mills.
Outline:
  1. Review of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD)
    1. Safety procedures
    2. Cartesian coordinate system review
    3. Absolute vs Incremental positioning
    4. Order of operations and documentation
    5. 3D drafting language and 3D geometric construction
  2. Introduction to 3D CAM Environment
    1. Rough Machining Strategies used for 3D machining
    2. Absolute vs Incremental in 3D milling
    3. Overview of 3D CAM icons
    4. Finishing Strategies for 3D milling operations
    5. Use of Stock Models
  3. Creating 3D Geometry
    1. Use of 3D Modeling and Surfacing Tools
    2. Solid Models
    3. Surfaces
    4. Extracting Wireframe from Models
    5. Projecting Wireframe Geometry
    6. Extracting wireframe geometry from solid models
  4. Cutting Operations for 3D Milling
    1. Determination and use of 3D milling roughing strategies
    2. Determination and use of 3D milling finishing operations
    3. Containment Boundary usage
    4. Toolpath Optimization
    5. Cutting Tool Selection for 3D milling operations
    6. Verification of tool path
  5. CAM for Lathe
    1. Chuck setup
    2. Stock setup
    3. General operations
    4. Tools
    5. Canned cycles
    6. Verification of Tool Path
    7. Posting
  6. Code Generation
    1. Machine Definition and Selection
    2. Code Optimization with Arc Filtering
    3. Posting code for different machining centers
    4. CAM Process analysis and verification before going to the machine
  7. Machining Part
    1. Relating programming decisions made in CAM to program responses in the machines
    2. Use of DNC functionality to run larger programs
    3. Identifying differences between manually generated G/M Code and CAM generated G/M Code