// LEARNING PORTAL
CNC ROADMAP
3-Month Junior Programmer Learning Track
12 WEEKS
FANUC / HAAS
FUSION 360 CAM
INTERACTIVE
// PHASE 01
Foundations
W-01
How a CNC Machine Thinks
Key Concepts
X, Y, Z axis orientation on a vertical mill
Difference between absolute (G90) and incremental (G91) positioning
Machine home vs. work zero — this trips everyone up early
How the spindle starts at a known position before any program runs
How CNC reads a program top-to-bottom, one block at a time
Hands-On Exercises
Draw a 100×100mm square, place work zero at bottom-left, manually calculate every corner coordinate in absolute AND incremental mode
Open CNC Simulator Pro or Fusion 360 — jog a virtual machine to 5 different positions and record the coordinates
Learning Resources
PDF
G-Code Cheat Sheet (CNC Cookbook)
Quick reference for G-code commands
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PDF
MIT G Codes Reference
Concise G-code reference sheet
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Tool
CNC Simulator Pro
30-day free trial desktop simulator
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Tool
NCViewer
Free online G-code visualizer (no install)
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YouTube
CNC coordinate systems for beginners
Search YouTube — multiple tutorials available
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Article
CNC Milling Coordinate System Made Easy
Fusion 360 blog explaining coordinate systems
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W-02
Your First G-Code Program
Key Concepts
Anatomy of a G-code block:
N10 G0 X10.0 Y10.0G0 = rapid move (no cutting — this is where crashes happen)
G1 = linear feed move (cutting happens here)
F = feedrate (in/min or mm/min), S = spindle RPM
M3 = spindle on CW, M5 = spindle off
Safe start block: why every program opens with a reset line
Hands-On Exercises
Write a G-code program: move from home → rapid to X0 Y0 → feed along a 50mm line → retract → return home. Simulate it.
Find or write 5 intentionally broken G-code programs — identify and fix each one
Learning Resources
Reference
G-Code and M-Code Command List
Easy examples and tutorials for mills
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Tutorial
CNC Programming with G Code Tutorial
Complete beginner tutorial from CNC Cookbook
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YouTube
Writing your first G-code program
Choose a mill-focused tutorial
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YouTube
Using NCviewer to write and verify gcode
Practical demonstration of NCViewer
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W-03
G2/G3 Arcs and Intro to Canned Cycles
Key Concepts
G2 = clockwise arc, G3 = counterclockwise arc
I and J define the arc center relative to the start point — spend extra time here
R method as a simpler alternative to I/J
G81 = basic drill cycle (the simplest canned cycle)
What 'canned cycle' means and why they save lines of code
Hands-On Exercises
Write a program that cuts a full circle using G3 with R — simulate and verify the path
Write a G81 drilling program for 4 holes at corners of a 50×50mm square, ending with G80 to cancel
W-04
Work Offsets (G54–G59) Deep Dive
Key Concepts
G54 is the most common work offset — tells the machine where part zero is
G54–G59 allows multiple work offsets for multiple parts on one table
Difference between the offset stored in the controller vs. called in your program
How to use an edge finder or probe to set work zero on a real machine
What happens if G54 is wrong: wrong cut location or crash
Hands-On Exercises
In simulator: set G54 and G55, write a program that machines a simple square profile in each location
If you get machine time at work: practice setting G54 using an edge finder on scrap material
// PHASE 02
Real Programs
W-05
Tool Length Offsets (TLO) and Multi-Tool Programs
Key Concepts
Every tool has a different length — TLOs compensate automatically
G43 H1 = apply tool length offset #1 — must be called after every tool change
G49 cancels TLO — rarely used mid-program but important to know
M6 T2 = change to tool #2 — always return to safe Z height first
Why you always rapid to a safe Z before changing tools
Hands-On Exercises
Write a 2-tool program: Tool 1 (end mill) cuts a pocket, Tool 2 (drill) drills 4 holes. Include G43 calls and safe Z moves around each tool change.
Simulate — watch the Z path during tool change and verify it never dips into the part
W-06
Feeds, Speeds, and Depth of Cut
Key Concepts
RPM formula: RPM = (Cutting Speed × 12) ÷ (π × Diameter) for imperial
Chipload = how much material each flute removes per revolution
Feedrate = RPM × number of flutes × chipload
Too fast = broken tool; too slow = rubbing, heat, bad finish
Aluminum vs. steel vs. plastic behave very differently — start conservative
Depth of cut affects tool life dramatically — don't go deep on first programs
Hands-On Exercises
Use FSWizard to calculate RPM and feedrate for a 1/2" 4-flute end mill in aluminum — then repeat for steel and compare
Learning Resources
Tool
FSWizard (Web)
Free feeds/speeds calculator - web version
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YouTube
How To Calculate Speeds and Feeds (Inch)
Haas official tutorial - imperial units
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YouTube
How To Calculate Speeds and Feeds (Metric)
Haas official tutorial - metric units
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YouTube
Calculate Feeds & Speeds — Haas Mini Mill + Fusion 360
Practical beginner-friendly walkthrough
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PDF
Kennametal Master Catalogue (Metric)
Official Kennametal catalogs & literature page
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W-07
Canned Cycles: Drilling, Tapping, Boring
Key Concepts
R-plane = the height where the cycle starts feeding (not the same as clearance height)
G83 peck drilling breaks chips — critical for holes deeper than 3× diameter
G84 tapping requires synchronized feedrate: F = RPM ÷ threads-per-inch
G80 must always cancel canned cycles — forgetting it causes unexpected drilling on rapid moves
Modal vs. non-modal codes — canned cycles are modal (repeat until cancelled)
Hands-On Exercises
Write a program with 6 holes: 2 with G81, 2 peck-drilled with G83, 2 tapped with G84. Simulate and check R-plane behavior.
Intentionally omit G80 from a program — simulate it and write exactly what goes wrong. Build the habit.
W-08
Subprograms, Comments, and Program Organization
Key Concepts
M98 calls a subprogram, M99 returns — great for repeated features
Using subprograms keeps main programs clean and reduces errors
Comments in G-code use parentheses: (THIS IS A COMMENT) — use them liberally
Professional start/end block best practices
Variable programming (macros) exists — you don't need it yet, but know it's there
Hands-On Exercises
Convert a repeated pattern from Week 7 into a subprogram using M98/M99 — compare code length before and after
// PHASE 03
CAM + Capstone
W-09
Fusion 360 CAM Fundamentals
Key Concepts
CAM generates G-code — you still need to understand the output
Setting up stock (the raw material block) is step one
WCS in Fusion = your G54 in real life — they must match
Tool library setup: end mill diameter, flutes, parameters
Post processors: Fusion needs the right 'post' for your specific machine (Haas, Fanuc, etc.)
Hands-On Exercises
Model a 75×75×25mm block in Fusion 360, set up CAM job, define facing op, post to G-code — then open the file and locate G54 call and tool change lines
Compare CAM-generated code to a program you wrote manually — identify similarities and differences
W-10
Advanced CAM Operations
Key Concepts
Facing, 2D pocket, 2D contour, drilling operations in CAM
Simulating toolpaths before posting
Post processing for the correct machine controller
Setting up stock and WCS properly
Hands-On Exercises
Create a complete part with 3+ operations in Fusion 360 CAM and post to G-code
Learning Resources
YouTube Series
Fusion 360 CAM Playlist
Complete CAM operations walkthrough
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W-11
Capstone Project: Complete Part from CAD to Cut
Key Concepts
Design a part from scratch in Fusion 360
Set up full CAM workflow with multiple tools and operations
Dry run procedure and single-block verification
Verifying work offset and tool offsets before cutting
Feed hold vs. Emergency Stop — when to use each
Capstone Deliverable
Produce a complete, commented G-code program for a real-world part with documented setup sheet
W-12
Core Concepts Review & Job Prep
Final Checklist
Work offsets G54–G59 and how to set them
G0/G1/G2/G3 — motion codes and proper usage
Tool Length Offsets: G43/G49, H-word
Canned cycles: G81, G83, G84, G80
RPM formula and chipload calculation
Subprograms: M98/M99
M-codes: M3/M4/M5, M8/M9, M30
Full CAM workflow in Fusion 360
Career Activity
Browse 10 CNC Programmer job postings on Indeed/LinkedIn — match required skills against your checklist
MASTER RESOURCE VAULT