CAD
CAD
stands for Computer
Aided
Design
The
computer is a tool that helps you design your
product. There are many different types of software
programs on the market, but they are all similar
in that they are designed for drawing 2D or
3D images. The advantage of CAD is a drawing
can be modified quickly on screen without having
to re-draw it all again.
In
school our main software programs we use are
Techsoft 2D Design and Pro DeskTop.
Techsoft
2D Design is a drawing program which can be
linked to our CAM 1 or CAM 2 machines.
Pro
DeskTop is software which allows us to draw
things and transform them into 3D shapes. We
can also add textures, colour and lighting effects
to the 3D objects.
These
Pro DeskTop drawings could be sent to industry
and output to a CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture)
machine and actually made.
CAM
CAM
stands for Computer
Aided
Manufacture
Many
production processes can now be done by machines.
These machines are controlled by computers.
Automated manufacture is quicker and safer and
far more reliable than traditional techniques.
In
school we currently use the Roland CAMM 1 for
cutting out vinyl stickers and for cutting and
scoring packaging nets.
In
the workshop we use the Roland CAMM 2 for engraving
into plastic, wood and metal.
Some
schools have a laser cutter now which is very
fast and accurate.
CNC
CNC
stands for Computer
Numerical
Control
Everything
that an operator would be required to do with
conventional machine tools is programmable with
CNC machines. Once the machine is setup and
running, a CNC machine is quite simple to keep
running.
The
CNC control will interpret a CNC program and
activate the series of commands in sequential
order. As it reads the program, the CNC control
will activate the appropriate machine functions,
cause axis motion, and in general, follow the
instructions given in the program.
Along
with interpreting the CNC program, the CNC control
has several other purposes. All current model
CNC controls allow programs to be modified (edited)
if mistakes are found. The CNC control allows
special verification functions (like dry run)
to confirm the correctness of the CNC program.
The CNC control allows certain important operator
inputs to be specified separate from the program,
like tool length values. In general, the CNC
control allows all functions of the machine
to be manipulated.
CIM
CIM
stands for Computer
Intergrated
Manufacture
Computer-Integrated
Manufacturing (CIM) in engineering is a method
of manufacturing in which the entire production
process is controlled by computer. Typically,
it relies on closed-loop control processes,
based on real-time input from sensors. It is
also known as flexible design and manufacturing.
RAPID
PROTOTYPING
Wikipedia
descibes Rapid prototyping as the automatic
construction of physical objects using solid
freeform fabrication. The first techniques for
rapid prototyping became available in the late
1980s and were used to produce models and prototype
parts. Today, they are used for a much wider
range of applications and are even used to manufacture
production quality parts in relatively small
numbers. Some sculptors use the technology to
produce complex shapes for fine arts exhibitions.
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