CAD/CAM: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing

• CAD/CAM means computer-aided design, and computer-aided manufacturing.
• CAD/CAM technology applies digital computers to design and manufacturing functions, moving toward greater integration and a fully automated factory.

Role of Computers in Industrial Manufacturing

• Products are characterized by customer requirements.
• Quality relates to the societal loss caused by a product throughout its lifecycle.
• Manufacturers must optimize product design and production to improve quality, reduce costs, meet delivery times, and facilitate variety and quantity.
• Pre-processing support includes computer-aided design and drafting, and finite element analysis.
• Computer-aided part programming, process planning, scheduling, tool design, and material requirement planning are further examples of pre-processing support.
• Monitoring the manufacturing process involves direct computer interface for observing and collecting data, while control implies computer-driven adjustments based on the data.
• Post-processing includes computer-aided assembly, inspection, cost analysis, packing, labeling, market feedback analysis, and billing.
• Utilizing computers is a methodological approach for product development and manufacture, requiring enabling technologies like CAD, CAM, and business functions.

CAD (Computer-Aided Design)

• CAD is a design process using computer graphics and software to aid analytical, development, costing, and ergonomic aspects of design work.
• The CAD process begins with a conceptual design, leading to a geometric model and analysis.

CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing)

• CAM involves using computer systems for planning, managing, and controlling manufacturing plant operations with either direct or indirect computer interface.
• The CAM process utilizes the geometric model from CAD as a basis.

Product Lifecycle

• A manufactured product has a lifecycle driven by customer and market demands, beginning with a concept that is refined into a design.
• Traditional manufacturing involves releasing part prints for production, assessing feasibility, planning processes to minimize cost, and making necessary redesigns.
• Key actions include tool creation, equipment acquisition, raw material procurement, and releasing instructions.
• The product lifecycle in computer-aided manufacturing starts with identifying customer needs, followed by design and manufacturing processes.
• Synthesis determines product philosophy, functionality, and uniqueness; information is qualitative and aids a conceptual design.
• Analysis evaluates the design using engineering sciences, constituting design modeling and simulation.

Manufacturing Industries Classification

• Manufacturing industries are grouped based on quantity, facility arrangement, and automation.
• Quantity classifications are job shop, batch, mass, and continuous flow production.
• Facility arrangement includes fixed position, process, and product flow layouts.
• Automation types are fixed, programmable, and flexible.

Types of Production

• Production activities are classified based on quantity: job shop, batch, mass, and continuous flow.
• Job shop production involves low volume, with manufacturing lot sizes being small, often one-of-a-kind.
• Batch production involves manufacturing products in medium lots and is often used to satisfy continuous customer demand.
• Mass production involves a very high volume of production, with equipment dedicated to a particular product.
• Continuous flow production involves continuous, dedicated bulk manufacturing in large amounts.

Types of Plant Layout

• Plant layout involves the arrangement of physical facilities in a manufacturing plant.
• Fixed position layout: the product remains at one location.
• Process layout: production machines are arranged into groups according to the type of manufacturing process used.
• Product flow layout: plant facilities are arranged to produce one product or class of product in large volumes.

Types of Automation

• Automation applies mechanical, electrical, electronic and computer-based systems to operate and control production.
• Fixed automation: The sequence of processing operations is fixed by the equipment configuration.
• Programmable automation: Production machinery can change its sequence of operations to accommodate different products.
• Flexible automation: Capable of manufacturing a variety of products or parts.

Applications of CAD/CAM

• Geometric modeling enables users to model complex products
• Design engineering analysis includes stress-strain, heat transfer, and dynamic analysis.
• Design evaluation and review includes automatic dimensioning and interference checking.
• A manufacturing database contains documentation for product design.
• Computer-aided process planning (CAPP) facilitates rational and consistent production planning.
• Interactive graphics NC part programming allows for G- and M-code development from product geometry.
• Finely tuned production planning involves computerized systems for forecasting and scheduling.
• Material requirements planning (MRP) determines when to order materials and components.
• Shop floor control involves a direct connection between the computer and manufacturing process.
• Computer-aided inspection and quality control help improve product quality.