CAD & CAM

CAD & CAM

1. CAD

   • Computer Aided Design
   • Can produce a 2D or 3D model of a product
   • Can create a 3D model from a 2D image
   • The model can be manipulated, viewed from any angle and adjusted
   • Used by architects and designers
   • Uses a wire frame drawing and then it gets rendered
   • Makes suggestions about which materials to use and saves time and money
   • Quicker,cheaper and more effective than normal designs
   • Sometimes errors may occur
   • Need software skills
   • Needs to run on a powerful computer

2. CAM

   • Computer Aided Manufacture
   • Creates real life versions of designs created in CAD
   • Used to control a wide range of machinery
   • Data from CAD is downloaded to contol unit
     • Control unit uses Computer Numerical Control (CNC) to guide the movement and function of the machine tool
   • Makes manufacturing quicker, cheaper and more efficient
   • Puts traditional machinists out of work but creates other jobs for technicians