The origin of the industrial revolution was first started by Britain in the 18th century. This has even marked the era for rapid industrialization known as the 2nd industrial revolution. Roughly in the age of the 19th century. There was a rapid advancement in electric, railways, steel, mass production and automobile industries.
Later with the birth of computers and digitized technologies, there comes the third industrial revolution. In the opinion of many people, the shift is from the 3rd revolution to the fourth where digital innovations such as automation, biotechnology, 3D printing, AI, and IoT are prevalent.
Having said that, CAM(computer-aided manufacturing) is an added advantage to this new wave. It’s already started to show the impact on construction, manufacturing and other sectors. This is the next highest thing that happened in the industrial machinery era mainly for packaging purposes. Driven by the growth, the global CAD market is set to indicate a CAGR of 7% and more by 2020.
CAM – Definition
CAM(computer-aided manufacturing) initially developed to ensure the transition from 2D design to 3D manufacture was more flawless and enables organizations to take advantage of a fast response. It is often used in subsequent to CAD(Computer-aided design).
It is basically described as the utilization of computer software for planning, managing and controlling the processes in a manufacturing plant. The main goal of CAM is to create a quicker production process, tooling and components with precise dimensions and consistency. In some of the cases, it is used only for the required quantity of raw materials thus reducing the waste. Simultaneously minimizing energy consumption and ultimately automating the processes.
Among various CAD services, Weldaloy offers Weldaloy custom forging a single source for machining providers and forging. From raw products to shipping, it integrates different process that allows to efficiently produce quality parts.
CAM-Working model
Basically, CAM uses automated software tools to transform drawings, data as detailed instructions. Do you know that every engineering process starts with CAD? Engineers make 2D or 3D drawings. In terms of CAD, these are called models that contain a specific set of physical properties that again used by CAM. After the model is designed for machining, the information gets sent to a machine through the physically produced part. For that, you need a machine’s language that converts machining information to a specified language referred to as G-code. This code instructs the tool about the procedure to make, where to move and how quickly. Ultimately which path to proceed with. Thus G-code is very easy to understand, once you know the format. After the G-code is loaded on to the machine and operator clicks on start, your job is done. It’s time for the machine to do the job of execution. G-code transfers raw material to a finished product.
Some of the manufacturing applications, that are controlled by CAM
- Laser cutting
- Bending
- Sawing
- Hole drilling and punching
- Pinning
- Plasma and flame cutting
- Spinning
- Milling and routing
- Placing and picking
Benefits of CAM
The olden days manufacturing process are complex. Gone the days where processes are resolved manually and replaced with CAM. This is cost-effective, productive, timely and effectively achieving aims of manufacturing features. Below are the essential uses of CAM which is applied to both large, medium and small manufacturing facilities.
Reduces wastes and costly mistakes
This software offers an efficient simulation feature. By this, there will be a variety of design options. The simulations check the errors by inspecting the machining procedures that involve tool gouges and machine tool. The simulation uses machines kinematics for simulating real machines motion, toolpath operations etc. Machine simulation allows visually viewing functionalities that eliminate wastes and minimizes expensive mistakes.
Increased productivity
This novel technology leads to advanced production revolutions by increasing productivity and cutting down costs. If you implement programming parts through CNC machines, the productivity maximizes by 50%. This production innovation results in more competitive products. In the past, there were hand-measured tool paths for machining but now the CAM software offers an easy solution.
Engineering and fabrication designs
Fabrication manufacturing utilizes various kinds of equipment embedded with CAM software. Take, for instance, lineal, building panels, vinyl and thermoplastic. These are fabricated using CAM for deciding density, durability and size of the materials based on specifications of engineering designs. Most of the organizations who are experts in precision fabrication utilizes CAD/CAM and design the layout of the products that are to be manufactured. In the case of engineering design manufacturing, CAM software provides manufacturers with reliable, durable equipment designs. To enumerate, let say the manufacturer has a project which requires steel or aluminium panels for a large enterprise. The manager then receives CAM software designs that comply with the customer designations. The design is downloaded from a computer with CAM software and initiates the process.
Managing overall production
In OTC pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing companies, CAm is the centre key to speed up the process. For instance, CAM specifies the number of raw materials utilized the chemical process. CAM minimizes the time taken in producing specific chemical products. In OTC pharmaceutical, CAM is included in the processing of tablets, powders, and liquids. CAM application offers accurate and safe measurements of ingredients to produce and particular kinds of packaging for dry and liquid OTC pharmaceutical items.
Linkage
This is one of the prime advantages of CAM. It designs unique processed application, machines, and equipment parts linked to offer a fast production process. Another benefit of CAM is producing high quality and higher quantities of goods manufactured with increased accuracy and precision. For various manufacturers, CAM results in cost-saving by decreasing the need for maximum quantities used in the processing and helps in reducing the waste.
Conclusion
Computer-aided manufacturing is easy for people who have engineering training for measuring plant’s outcome. CAM is utilized to improve the efficiency of the assembly process. It can increase the full range of production equipment like 5-axis turning, high-speed and electrical discharge. This can be helped to achieve advanced productivity tools such as simulation to leverage particular professional skills. It can be applied in industries like electrical, mechanical, aerospace and industrial engineering.
