Comments on: What Are the Differences Between Cad and Cam?

By: Ms G

Ms G — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:37:18 +0000

Computer-aided design (CAD) a wide range of computer-based tools that assist engineers, architects and other design professionals in their design activities. It is the main geometry authoring tool within the Product Lifecycle Management process and involves both software and sometimes special-purpose hardware. Current packages range from 2D vector based drafting systems to 3D solid and surface modellers.
CAD is sometimes translated as “computer-assisted”, “computer-aided drafting”, or a similar phrase. Related acronyms are CADD, which stands for “computer-aided design and drafting”, CAID for Computer-aided Industrial Design and CAAD, for “computer-aided architectural design”. All these terms are essentially synonymous, but there are a few subtle differences in meaning and application.
CAD was originally the three letter acronym for “Computer Aided drafting” as in the early days CAD was really a replacement for the tradition drafting board. But now is the term is often interchanged with “Computer Aided Design” to reflect the fact that modern CAD tools do much……
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is the use of a wide range of Product Lifecycle Management computer-based software tools that assist engineers, Tool and die makers and CNC machinists, in the manufacture or prototyping of product components. 3D models of components generated in CAD software are used to generate CNC code to drive numerical controled machine tools. This involves the user in selecting what type of tool, machining process and paths that are to be used.
Sometimes the CAM software is integrated with the CAD system, but not always. Every piece of CAM software must first solve the problem of CAD data exchange where in the CAD system which is producing the data often stores it in its own proprietary format, much as is the case with word processor software. Usually it is necessary to force the CAD operator to export the data in one of the common data formats, such as IGES or STL, that are supported by a wide variety of software. The output from the CAM software is usually a simple text file of G-code, sometimes many thousands of commands long, that is then transferred to a machine tool using a direct numerical control (DNC) program.
While it has long been the dream to make the CAM software that can run on its own, it generally requires a human operator with much knowledge and skill of machining to select the Milling cutters and define the necessary parameters and strategies that will generate an effective tool path.

By: THE ONE

THE ONE — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:24:05 +0000

To make it simple, CAD ‘creates’ or as you said, ‘designs’ a program
CAM, ‘manufactures or ‘produces’ the product as he/she specializes in the proper tools, Molds, etc. in computer technology
They are alike because they are both a step in the creation of the product

By: Mosype

Mosype — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:45:52 +0000

In 2D CAD, the construction of the part can be in any order and does not to have all lines and intersections complete or exact or even drawn in the same direction. It is a picture and 2D CAD software doesn’t automatically trim or demand perfect intersections. Higher forms of CAD that is true 3D model building software does generate perfect mathematical models.
CAM however, is a graphical representation of a tool path. The CNC (computer numeric control ) that drives the machine with the code generated from the CAM software requires all line intersections and tangents to be mathematically perfect and in a continuous path. Most good CAM software is capable of making corrections to CAD files within defined limits. Cam software requires definitions like start points, speed, feed, depth of cut, tool geometries. The key component of CAM software is called the post processor. When the part is completely defined, the post reads the geometry and generates the code in a series of instructions beginning with where the part is in relation to it’s work area, which tool to pick up( if it has an automatic tool changer) and where and how fast to move.
I was a bit more technical than the wikiup blurb below, hope you found it an informative answer.