lean manufacturing<\/a> and Just-in-Time manufacturing.<\/p>\nComputer-aided manufacturing can significantly reduce cost, wastage, lead times, and errors. It improves accuracy, surface finish, consistency, and manufacturing speed. These features make CAM an indispensable part of the automotive industry.<\/p>\n
Other Industries<\/h3>\n
Besides the examples above, CAM finds many applications in industries such as computer and smartphone hardware manufacturing, biomedical devices, the pharmaceutical industry, and so on.<\/p>\n
In short, almost all modern-day mass manufacturing setups apply computer-aided manufacturing to increase productivity. As CAM automates pretty much all the main processes already, there is little possibility of any large-scale production while avoiding the computerised nature of contemporary manufacturing technology.<\/p>\n
CAD vs CAM<\/h2>\n
An important step that precedes computer-aided manufacturing is computer-aided design (CAD). Using CAD, designers can create, modify, and analyse product designs. It can also check the functionality and application of these designs.<\/p>\n
The difference between CAD and CAM is distinct, but this topic can be a source of confusion for many people. This is because, besides the differences, they have many similarities.<\/p>\n
In simple terms, CAD is concerned with the designing and drafting part of a product whereas CAM is concerned with the manufacturing aspect. The engineering design created in CAD is translated into machine language (usually G-codes and M-codes) and then fed to the CNC-powered machines. Following the code, the machine instructs machine tools to carry out the machining as needed.<\/p>\n
CAD\/CAM tools consist of different components. CAD tools are only computer and CAD software. With the two of them, a graphic artist\/technician\/designer can effectively create a drawing. This drawing can then be viewed as an orthographic or an isometric view. Various operations can be performed to improve the drawing’s readability.<\/p>\n
CAM tools consist of a computer, a CAM software package, and a CAM machine for the machining process. A CAM machine may be, for example, a three or a five-axis control machining centre.<\/p>\n
CAD to CAM process<\/h2>\n
It is quite evident that the process begins with CAD and then reaches the computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) stage. But there’s more to it than that. The limitations of CAM machines are important factors that designers must consider at the design stage itself.<\/p>\n
Let’s see the sequence of events that takes place in the design and manufacture of components through computer-aided design and manufacturing.<\/p>\n
Design process<\/h3>\n
This is the first stage known as the design process. In this process, the designer creates the models in CAD software. The focus is on the functionality, manufacturability, and aesthetics of the part. CAD can create extremely complex designs but if it can’t be manufactured by the CAM systems at hand, it is of no use.<\/p>\n
The designer creates a 2D or 3D design in CAD software. These designs are known as CAD models. The properties of the product’s material will determine the extent of complexity in the design.<\/p>\n
Creating coordinates<\/h3>\n
In this stage, the designer processes the model into coordinates. Assigning the coordinates to our source models enables us to use the software’s coordinate transformation features.<\/p>\n
Manufacturing simulation<\/h3>\n
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