CAM, CAD, CAT & CNC

Question 1

cnc

Answer 1

computer numerically controlled

Question 2

what is cnc?

Answer 2

A computer converts the design produced by CAD into numbers. These can be considered coordinates and control the movement of the cutter.

Question 3

cam

Answer 3

computer aided manufacture

Question 4

give 3 advantages of cam

Answer 4

-faster than making by hand
-more accurate than making by hand
-repeatable yet accurate
-machines can run 24/7
-cam jobs generated straight from cad

Question 5

give 3 disadvantages of cam

Answer 5

-expensive to buy and set up all the machinery
-expensive to train people to fix and maintain the machines
-cam machines replace jobs

Question 6

cad

Answer 6

computer aided design

Question 7

give 3 advantages of cad

Answer 7

-designs can be saved and historic versions kept
-faster to draw designs and to make them
-designs easily copy and pasted, improves accuracy
-can be easily emailed
-designs can be simulated to see if they can be easily mad

Question 8

give 3 disadvantages of cad

Answer 8

-software can be complex and time consuming to learn
-software expensive
-files can be hacked
-software needs constant upgrades
-requires a lot of RAM
-can be lost if computer suffers a loss of power

Question 9

cat

Answer 9

computer aided testing

Question 10

what is cat?

Answer 10

Computer programmes that are built to test the effectivness of CAD files before they get manufactured.

Question 11

rapid prototyping

Answer 11

Using a CNC machine to make a working model of a part from a CAD programme. Can produce complicated 3D shapes, but the material used is not what would be used on large-scale production.