CAM
CAM - Computer-Aided Manufacturing. It is 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 plant's production resources [1].
Computer-Aided Manufacturing is an idea that surrounds the use of computers to support every production process. CAM (similarly to CAD) works best when product programming is automatically performed from the geometry of the model created during the CAD process. Complex 3D geometry can be easily and quickly programmed for machining [2].
Success in manufacturing system can be obtained to make sure that the machines and people are utilized to the maximal possible extent. In this case, CAM must be connected for the following two reasons [3]:
- To achieve technology-based improvement in manufacturing
- To get successive improvements in quality and productivity
Among the reasons for conversion from a manual process to a CAM can be distinguished [4]:
- Easy modification of plans as required
- Respond quickly to customer needs by shortening the production cycle
- Being able to more accurately analyze a wide range of design attributes before selecting the optimum one
Support provided by the computer
Computer-Aided Manufacturing is a support that can be provided by the computer in the manufacturing of any given product. This role may be broadly classified into manufacturing support applications that deal essentially with the preparations for actual manufacturing and post-manufacture operations [5].
CAM refers to any computer applications to manufacturing problems, i.e.: mechanical and electrical testing, machine monitoring, facilities, and environmental control, machine control, plant communication [6].
It should be mentioned that all the support functions that computers can provide for the successful completion of manufacturing are : computer-aided scheduling, computer-aided tool design, computer-aided process planning, computer-aided design and drafting, computer-aided material requirement planning [7].
Footnotes
| CAM — recommended articles |
| CAE — Software development projects — Quality by design — CMM model — Technological factors — Total productive maintenance — Organizational techniques — Computer department — Resource plan |
References
- Elanchezhian C., Sundar G.S. (2007)., Computer Aided Manufacturing, Firewall Media
- Janardan R., Smid M., Dutta D. (2003)., Geometric and Algorithmic Aspects of Computer-aided Design and Manufacturing: DIMACS Workshop Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing, American Mathematical Soc.
- Kundra T.K. (1993)., Computer Aided Manufacturing, Tata McGraw-Hill Education
- Leondes C.T. (2003)., Computer Aided And Integrated Manufacturing Systems (A 5-volume Set) - Volume 5: Manufacturing Processes, World Scientific
- Madsen D.A. (2011)., Print Reading for Engineering and Manufacturing Technology, Cengage Learning
- Xun X. (2009)., Integrating Advanced Computer-Aided Design, Manufacturing, and Numerical Control: Principles and Implementations: Principles and Implementations, IGI Global
Author: Klaudia Szydłowska
