Introduction to CAD / CAM

What is CAD/ CAM?

CAD / CAM is a term, which means computer-aided design and computeraided manufacturing. It is the technology concerned with the use of computers to perform certain functions in design and manufacturing.

 CAD can be defined as the use of computer systems to perform certain functions in the design process. CAM is the use of computer systems to plan, manage and control the operations of manufacturing plant through either direct or indirect computer interface with the plants production resources.

Design Process
The process of designing is characterized as an interactive procedure: * Recognition of need. * Definition of problem. * Synthesis. * Analysis and optimization. * Evaluation. * Presentation.

Design Process
Engineering designers require effective means of collecting, storing, retrieving, processing, communicating, distributing, displaying, plotting and printing large quantities of information.

Model of Design
To every design problem corresponds, in principle, an number of solutions. there infinite

Role of computers in design process

CAD / CAM

Task of a CAD system

Geometric modeling. Engineering analysis. Design review and evaluation. Automated drafting. Parts classification and coding.

CAD Tools Required to Support the Design Process Design phase

Design conceptualization

Required CAD tools

Geometric modeling techniques; Graphics aids; manipulations; and visualization Same as above; animation; assemblies; special modeling packages. Analysis packages; customized programs and packages. Customized applications; structural optimization. Dimensioning; tolerances; BOM; NC. Drafting and detailing

Design modeling and simulation Design analysis Design optimization Design evaluation Design communication and documentation

Definitions of CAD Tools Based on Their Constituents

Computer graphics concepts

CAD tools

Design tools

Geometric modeling

Definition of CAD Tools Based on Their Implementation in a Design Environment

Design tools + Computer

Hardware (control unit; display terminals; I/O devices

= CAD tools

Software (graphics; modeling; applications programs

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)

CAM can be defined as the use of computer systems to plan, manage, and control the operations of a manufacturing plant through either direct or indirect computer interface with the plants production resources.

Applications of CAM
Computer monitoring and control. These are the direct applications in which the computer is connected directly to the manufacturing process for the purpose of monitoring or controlling the process. Manufacturing support applications. These are the indirect applications in which the computer is used in support of the production operations in the plant, but there is no direct interface between the computer and the manufacturing process.

From CAM definition, the application of CAM falls into two broad categories: 1. Computer monitoring and control . Process data Process data Computer
Control signals

Computer

Process

Process

2. Manufacturing support application . Process data Mfg Computer Control signals operations

Examples of CAM
Numerical control part programming: control programs are prepared in computer for automated machine tools. Computer-automated process planning: the computer prepares a listing of the operation sequence required to process a particular product or component. Computer-generated work standards: the computer determines the time standard for a particular production operation.

Examples of CAM
Production scheduling: the computer determines an appropriate schedule for meeting production requirements. Material requirements planning: the computer is used to determine when to order raw materials and purchased components and how many should be ordered to achieve the production schedule. Shop floor control: in this CAM application, data are collected from the factory to determine progress of the various production shop orders.

Definition of CAM Tools Based on Their Implementation in a Manufacturing Environment Hardware (control unit; display terminals; I/O devices Mfg tools + Computer Software (CAD; NC; MRP; CAPP) = CAM tools

Networking

Definitions of CAM Tools Based on Their Constituents

Networking concepts

CAM tools

Mfg tools

CAD

Definitions of CAD/CAM Tools Based on Their Constituents

Mfg tools Design tools

CAD/CAM Geometric tools Networking modeling Computer graphics concepts

Definition of CAD/CAM Tools Based on Their Implementation in an Engineering Environment Hardware

Design and + Computer Mfg tools

Software

= CAD/CAM tools

Networking

Implementation of a Typical CAD Process on a CAD/CAM system

Delineation of Design changes Design and geometric model Analysis algorithms Definition translator Geometric model Interface algorithms Drafting and detailing Documentation To CAM Process

CAM Tools Required to Support the Design Process

Manufacturing phase Process planning Required CAM tools CAPP techniques; cost analysis; material and tooling specification. NC programming CAQ; and Inspection software Robotics simulation and programming

Part programming Inspection Assembly

Typical Utilization of CAD/CAM Systems in an Industrial Environmen

Geometric modeling and graphics package

Geometric modeling of conceptual design Yes

Process planning
CAPP package

Is design evaluation Possible with available Standard software?

No

Are there manufacturing discrepancies in CAD databases?

Design package

Yes Design testing And evaluation

Develop customized programs and packages Programming package

No NC programming Machining Inspection Assembly

Inspection And Robotics package NC package

No

Is final design Applicable? Yes Drafting Documentation

Advantages of CAD/CAM systems

Greater flexibility. Reduced lead times. Reduced inventories. Increased Productivity. Improved customer service. Improved quality. Improved communications with suppliers. Better product design. Greater manufacturing control. Supported integration. Reduced costs. Increased utilization. Reduction of machine tools. Less floor space.

Product Cycle in a Conventional Manufacturing Environment

Summary
The main tasks of computer application in manufacturing systems are: 1.Generation and management of design information describing products. 2.Monitoring and control of manufacturing system, which makes the products.