CAD/ CAM

Question 1

What is meant by Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM)?

Answer 1

Using machines that are controlled by computers.

Question 2

What is meant by computer numerical control (CNC)?

Answer 2

Strings of numbers that control the machine, which provide all the commands needed e.g. Which direction to move, how fast etc

Question 3

What are the different parts of a CNC machine?

Answer 3

• THE VICE - holds the material to be cut
• THE GUARD - protects the person using the CNC
• THE CHUCK - holds the material that is to be shaped
• THE MOTOR - rotates the chuck at high speed
• THE LATHE BED - the base of the machine
• THE CUTTING TOOL - cuts the material to be shaped

Question 4

How do you use a CNC machine?

Answer 4

1. Material to be shaped is taped onto a block with double sided tape
2. The block is then placed in the vice inside the CNC
3. The guard is placed in position
4. The CNC is turned on and the shape is cut from the material and when the cutter has stopped the shaped material can be removed from the vice.

Question 5

What are some disadvantages of CNC machines?

Answer 5

• CNC machines are much more expensive than manually operated machines
• means that traditional skills are being forgotten
  -less workers are required to operate CNC machines which can lead to unemployment

Question 6

What are the advantages of CAM?

Answer 6

• manufacture is less labour intensive and saves labour costs
• machines are accurate, and manufacturing can be repeated consistently with large batches
• requires minimum supervision

Question 7

What are disadvantages of CAM?

Answer 7

• high initial investment and start up cost
• may result in loss of workforce with high- level manual skill
• machine maintenance is also costly.

Question 8

What are advantages of CAD?

Answer 8

• scaling, re-scaling modification in drawings and models is easier and automatic and accurate
• storage and retrieval of models is easier
• increases the speed of production and requires less labour

Question 9

What are disadvantages of CAD?

Answer 9

• power cuts and viruses can be problematic for the computerised system
• complex versions of the software could be very expensive to buy, especially for the start-up costs.
• traditional drafting skills will be lost as they become unnecessary.