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What you need to know? �”be able to select and use tools, equipment and processes, including computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD/CAM), to shape and form materials safely and accurately and finish them appropriately (for example, using CAM software linked to a cutter/plotter, lathe, milling machine or sewing machine) ��

CADCAM�Computer Aided Design – �Computer Aided Manufacture

What is CADCAM?

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CADCAM�Computer Aided Design – �Computer Aided Manufacture

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CAD (Computer Aided Design):�(CAD) means using computer software to help draw and design your products. Examples of CAD programs used in schools include:

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CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture):�(CAM) means using computers to output and control the machine tools to make your products. Examples of CAM used in schools include:

Cutter/Plotter

Router / Milling Machine

Laser Cutter

3D Printer

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CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacture)

If a product has been drawn using CAD, computer software can analyse the drawing and create the control program . This can be downloaded straight to the CAM machine to make the part. This linking of CAD and CAM is called Computer Integrated Manufacture (CIM) and is what most schools use to control their CAM machines. CIM combines all the advantages of CAD and CAM and eliminates the need for time to program the machine.

CADCAM�Computer Aided Design – �Computer Aided Manufacture

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CNC (Computer Numerical Control)

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, use �numbers and code to control them. They are normally�used to make batches of products and need to be �programmed from a CAD drawing.

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CADCAM�Computer Aided Design – �Computer Aided Manufacture

Advantages of CADCAM:

CADCAM has several advantages over manual machines:

  1. CADCAM machines can work faster and more accurately;
  2. They can do a job again and again and the product will be the same every time;
  3. They do not need to take breaks – they can work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;
  4. They can produce shapes that are difficult to manufacture using manual machines.�

Disadvantages of CADCAM:

There are two main disadvantages of using CADCAM machines:

  1. They are more expensive than manual machines. This means that they are normally only used when there are lots of parts to be made;
  2. It can take a long time to write the program to operate them.

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What you need to know? �”be able to select and use tools, equipment and processes, including computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD/CAM), to shape and form materials safely and accurately and finish them appropriately (for example, using CAM software linked to a cutter/plotter, lathe, milling machine or sewing machine) ��

What does CAD stand for and what is it?

CADCAM�Computer Aided Design – �Computer Aided Manufacture Plenary.

1

CAD (Computer Aided Design):�(CAD) means using computer software to help draw and design your products. Examples of CAD programs used in schools include:

​

​

​

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What does CAM stand for and what is it?

2

CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture):�(CAM) means using computers to output and control the machine tools to make your products. Examples of CAM used in schools include:

Cutter/Plotter

Router / Milling Machine

Laser Cutter

3D Printer

3

CNC (Computer Numerical Control)

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, use �numbers and code to control them. They are normally�used to make batches of products and need to be �programmed from a CAD drawing.

What does CNC stand for and what is it?

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What are the Advantages of CADCAM:

CADCAM has several advantages over manual machines:

  1. CADCAM machines can work faster and more accurately;
  2. They can do a job again and again and the product will be the same every time;
  3. They do not need to take breaks – they can work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;
  4. They can produce shapes that are difficult to manufacture using manual machines.

What are the Disadvantages of CADCAM:

There are two main disadvantages of using CADCAM machines:

  1. They are more expensive than manual machines. This means that they are normally only used when there are lots of parts to be made;
  2. It can take a long time to write the program to operate them.

What does CIM stand for and what is it?

4

CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacture)

If a product has been drawn using CAD, computer software can analyse the drawing and create the control program . This can be downloaded straight to the CAM machine to make the part. This linking of CAD and CAM is called Computer Integrated Manufacture (CIM) and is what most schools use to control their CAM machines. CIM combines all the advantages of CAD and CAM and eliminates the need for time to program the machine.