CAD/CAM Curriculum for Mastercam Educators
Mastercam is proud to announce a new partnership with camInstructor to bundle introductory classroom-ready curriculum with Mastercam Educational Suite – at no additional cost.
Tailored Curriculum for Mastercam Educators
This camInstructor 101 bundle is now available for US-based educational customers on Mastercam CONNECT. It provides step-by-step lesson plans, project-based instruction, and complete teacher resources that, paired with Mastercam Educational Suite, help educators spend less time on lesson planning and more time on preparing students for real-world manufacturing challenges as they enter the workforce.
camInstructor has all the essentials I need to streamline the preparation process for Mastercam training, both in the classroom and CNC machining lab.
Project-based Instruction
Mill
Step-by-step mill project instruction to show students how to learn 2D toolpaths, contour, and drilling.
Lathe
Help students create a simple lathe part featuring common 2x lathe operations.
SkillsUSA
Teach complex mill parts from competitions using multiple setups, 2D and 3D toolpaths to help students level up.
5 Axis
Show students how to program complex parts like this one with an outer face forming a mobius strip.
What is included in camInstructor 101
| Lesson Type | Steps | Video Minutes | Overview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mill 2D Lesson | 17 | 40 | Square flat plate with a recessed pocket and four corner holes, suitable for a basic 2D milling operation. There are 2 exercise drawings included in this lesson, along with teacher resources that include a timed lesson plan, PowerPoints, a complete part file and an additional exercise. |
| Lathe Lesson | 19 | 62 | Stepped cylindrical shaft with multiple diameters and turned features. There is 1 exercise drawing included in this lesson, along with teacher resources that include a timed lesson plan, PowerPoints, and a complete part file. |
| 5 Axis Lesson | 22 | 73 | Complex 3D contoured component mounted in a rotary setup, programmed using OptiRest Flow and Curve and machined on a UMC 750. There are 2 exercise drawings included in this lesson, along with teacher resources that include a timed lesson plan, PowerPoints, and a complete part file. |
| Dynamic Mill Toolpaths Lesson | 10 | 26 | Dynamic milling tool engagement, focusing on how a cutting tool interacts with material during a high-efficiency roughing operation. |
| CNC Programming Mill Lesson | 11 | 87 | Concepts of Absolute & Incremental positioning in manual CNC mill programming, fundamental for writing and understanding G-code. The answer keys are provided within the teacher resource. |
| CNC Programming Mill Lesson Exercise | 1 | — | 40-minute timed multiple-choice quiz. Answer keys are provided within the teacher resource. |
| CNC Programming Lathe Lesson | 12 | 58 | Absolute & Incremental Positioning on a CNC Lathe, focusing on how tool movements are defined along the X and Z axes during manual G-code programming. The answer keys are provided within the teacher resource. |
| Setup & Operate CNC Mill Lesson | 17 | 28 | Learn how to setup a Haas VF2. Assemble tools, tool holders, materials and work holding device. Learn how to power up, load tools, load materials into a vice, measure tool lengths and offsets, load program and check program and run the part etc. Lesson files are available within the provided teacher resource. |
| Setup & Operate CNC Lathe Lesson | 14 | 23 | Learn how to setup a Haas ST20Y. Assemble tools, tool holders, materials, and learn how to power up, load tools, measure, load and check program and run part etc. Lesson files are available within the provided teacher resource. |
| Tesla CyberTruck Design Lesson | 7 | 66 | Create wireframe geometry, solid modeling, swap between 2D and 3D drawing modes, and use offset chains etc. |
| SkillsUSA 3 Axis Mill Lesson | 21 | 176 | Download the part from the 2025 SkillsUSA Competition and learn how to create the toolpaths to machine the part on a 3 Axis CNC milling machine. Great practice for any student entering Skills Competitions. |
camInstructor’s textbooks and video content allow me to focus on lecture and lab preparation. The curriculum is also a great resource for our students, especially when we are teaching online or if a student needs help when an instructor is unavailable. It is very important to have different learning tools for our students and camInstructor gives me the tools to achieve this.
Request camInstructor 101
Complete this form to request your free camInstructor 101 curricula. Upon verifying your Mastercam Educational Suite license and active Mastercam CONNECT subscription, we will send you the details on how to get started.
At this time, camInstructor 101 is available to U.S.-based institutions only.
Success Stories
Explore how schools are using Mastercam to develop the next generation of CNC programmers.
Calhoun Community College
Established over 70 years ago in North Alabama, Calhoun Community College serves more than 10,000 students from Decatur, Huntsville, and surrounding communities. The college offers 49 associate degree options, as well as 52 certificate programs, including the popular Machine Tool Technology program.
Mastering the Future
In a world where technical education is often overlooked, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School is proving that machining is not just a trade—it’s a transformative career path. With Mastercam at the core of its cutting-edge curriculum, Diman is shaping the next generation of manufacturing leaders and making waves on the national stage at SkillsUSA.
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The camInstructor partnership is just one way we're helping instructors and their students see what potential really looks like. Explore our full suite of educational resources.
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