Introduction to CAD/CAM

Computer-Aided Design and Manufacture

(CAD/CAM) - Definition
CAD/CAM is a collection of computer-based techniques
that perform various functions of product cycle.

Computer-Aided Design and Manufacture

(CAD/CAM) - Benefits

Use of computers for any of the design and manufacturing

functions results in quality and productivity enhancements. Quality
improves through (a) precise operations (b) several design
iterations in given time; productivity improves through fast
operations of the machines.

However, the most important benefits of CAD/CAM are due to the

integration and concurrency of these functions that minimize the
time for design iterations (not their number). This is possible due
to the centralized and distributed databases (viz., geometric,
alphanumeric and knowledge) with reliable access control.

This also changes the attitude and improves interpersonal

relations.

Integration of CAD/CAM through

Common Databases

Geometric Modeling unifies all CAD/CAM activities; in other words, it

is the foundation for CAD/CAM implementation.
Ironically, the first function for which CAD was developed itself is
being eliminated.

Integration of CAD/CAM through

Common Databases

Relationship between Design and

Manufacture Before CAD/CAM

Relationship between Design and

Manufacture After CAD/CAM

Evolution of CAD/CAM to CIM

Eventually CAD/CAM evolved into Computer-Integrated

Manufacturing (CIM) by incorporating upstream (market
survey, dealer network, customer order processing etc.)
and downstream (sales and service) functions.

The three things that lead to such an integration are

i. Computer control of all functions
ii. Networking of all these computer systems
iii. Communication protocols and access control

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Creation, analysis/ synthesis, optimization and

modification of a design with the aid of computer systems.

CAD Loop

A typical feedback loop

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Design Evaluation Techniques
(CAE in ill-defined modern terms!)

Structural analysis
Fluid and heat flow analysis
Dynamic analysis
Kinematic analysis
Interference analysis
Tolerance modeling (Analysis and Synthesis)
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Design for X (DFX = [DFM, DFMA, ])
X = [Manufacture, Assembly, Disassembly, Maintenability,
Green Env. ...]

Computer-Aided Manufacture (CAM)

Manufacturing physical realization. Planning, managing and control
of the operations of a manufacturing plant with the aid of computers.
Shop Floor Functions

Managerial Functions

Direct

Indirect supportive

Primarily geometric data driven

Primarily alphanumeric data driven

Diffrent strategies for prototype and

mass manufactures

Different techniques for productionizing

and regular production.

-CNC, Robotics, RP&T

-GT
-CAPP
-Tool Design
-Inspection and QC
-

-Scheduling
-Inventory control
-Shop floor control
-Quality management
-Make/ buy decision
-Vendor development
-Plant layout
-

CAD/CAM CAD/CAM/CAE

CAD GM + CAE. However, GM is no longer an exclusive subset of CAD

since it is the first step in CAM and CAE also.

CAD/CAM GM + CAE for some people. Instead of CAD/CAM, the term

CAD/CAM/CAE is increasingly being used, CAD here actually referring to
GM. Terms like 3C/P and CAX are also liked by many.

Evolution of CAD/CAM and ERP

CAD/CAM
- Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD)
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
-Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
-NC, CNC, Robotics, CAPP (CAM)
-Codes and packages for FEA, Kinematic and
dynamic analyses
-Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing
(CAD/CAM)
-Computer-Aided Design, Manufacturing and
Engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE)
-CAS/CAD/CAM/CAE CAX
-Product Data Management (PDM)
-eCommerce
-Cooperative Product Commerce (CPC)
-CAD/CAM/CAE/PDM (3C/P)

ERP
-Material Requirement Planning (MRP-I)
-Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP-II)
-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
-Supply Chain Management (SCM)
-Business Process Re-engineering (BPR MRPIII)
-Interfaces between ERP and PDM
-Integrated ERP/PDM system or
-Product Life Cycle Management (PLM)

Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS)

Computer-Integrated Manufacturing System (CIMS)
Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS)

Packages for CAD/CAM and ERP

Geometric Modeling

AutoCAD, SolidWorks, SolidEdge, (Alias, ArtCAM from DelCAM etc. for styling)

Styling

Alias

Finite Element Analysis

ANSYS, NASTRAN, Pro/Mechanica

Kinematic and dynamic

analysis

ADAMS, Pro/Mechanica

Casting simulation
packages

MoldFlow (for plastics), CMold (for metal), AutoCAST

Note: None for Investment Casting so far!

NC simulation

VeriCUT, VirtualNC

DFX, Synthesis and

Optimization

Generally these are specialized packages custom-built for specific applications

CAM

SmartCAM, DelCAM, SurfCAM, MasterCAM

CAD/CAM/CAE

Pro/E, NX (formerly competitors as UG and I-DEAS), CATIA

ERP

- Simple database systems like Dbase, FoxPro

- Relational database systems like Oracle
- ERP packages like SAP, BAAN, IFF, DEdwards

PDM/ PLM

Windchill (PTC), TeamCentre (formerly Metaphase (SDRC), I-MAN (EDS)),

Ennovia (Dassaults), Matrix One (Dassaults), SAP PLM

ERP
Enabling best management practices
Lean enterprise
Kaizen
TPM

Condition-based preventive scheduled maintenance

Activity-based costing
Competency-based appraisals
Enterprise integration and standardizing processes and data
BPR
Performance measurements
Intelligent enterprise