CAD + CAM Flashcards
What did computer aided draughting lead to?
- Software engineers creating computer packages to allow product designers to create designs.
- The development of a special tools and functions so designers could quickly create and change the features of a design.
- Various types of CAD software emerged, allowing designers to create and develop designs in 2D and 3D forms.
How did CAD lead to product testing and what is the benefit of this?
Software engineers further developed the product information to give it a mess and volume, allowing designers to imitate various materials and conditions under which the product would function. This led to product testing. Product designers can now conceive, develop and test a product within a very short lead time. This has reduced the cost of developing new products.
Describe 2D
Create simple shapes in the X and Y directions. Does not show the Z direction (depth). Can be used for drawing, pattern draughting and for drawing images that appear to have three dimensions but are still in 2D.
Describe 3D modelling
Create shapes in three dimensions X, Y and Z. Uses intuitive tools such as dimensioning, extruding and rounding edges to create wire frame and solid models.
What are the disadvantages of CAD?
- Traditional skills may become obsolete.
- Requires skilled operators.
- Problems if system crashes.
- Takes time to learn.
- High initial cost of the software.
What are the advantages of CAD?
- Enables testing before manufacturing begins.
- Designs can be communicated electronically.
- Products can be manufactured directly from CAD drawings.
- Designs can be easily and quickly changed.
- Reduces product lead time.
What does CAM do?
Uses a computer to control manufacturing machinery.
What is computer numerical control – C.N.C?
When visual information from a CAD drawing is changed into numerical data to control the operation of a machine.
What are the disadvantages of using CAM?
- High cost to train operators.
- Requires skilled technicians.
- High initial cost of machinery.
- Puts labourers out of work.
- Requires regular maintenance – production stops during these times.
What are the advantages of using CAM?
- Can be fully automated.
- Saves time and labour costs.
- Productivity is increased due to less down time.
- Extremely accurate.
- Enables large numbers of identical products to be manufactured.
What is FANUC software and what does it do?
It is a special software language that many CNC machines use. It reads the CAD file and then produces machine code for the CNC machine to use. Much of this language is made up from information called G code - which provides the CNC machine with information about the direction of movement of the cutting tool – and M code - which refers to miscellaneous functions such as starting the cutting tool and turning on the coolant.
Why does a CNC machine need datum?
To know how far to move.
Name five types of CNC machinery
- Milling machine
- Router
- Lathe
- Laser cutter
- Vinyl cutter.
Describe a milling machine
This uses a rotating cutting tall to shape a range of metals and plastics. The work is clamped to a bed which moves in the X and Y directions. The cutting tool is placed in a chuck connected to a rotating spindle, this moves in the Z direction.
Describe a router
This uses a rotating cutting tool to shape a range of timbers. The work is clamped to a bed. The cutting tool is placed in the router chuck connected to a high-speed rotating spindle. The router moves in three axes on a complex arrangement of mechanisms.
