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Design for Manufacture, Quality and Safety

CAM and CIM

  • 3 things to know
  • AS 1 Paper 1

Overview

CAM from CAD to finished part, toolpaths and G-code, simulation, a router batch calculation, the drawbacks of CAM, CIM stock and quality control, robots and a reorder calculation.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Evaluation

State three advantages of CAM over manual manufacture.

Key term

What is computer-aided manufacture (CAM)?

Process

Describe the stages that take a design from CAD to a finished CAM part.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is computer-aided manufacture (CAM)?

    Model answer

    CAM is the use of computers to control machines that make parts, working from CAD data. Laser cutters, CNC routers and 3D printers are all CAM machines.

  2. 2

    Describe the stages that take a design from CAD to a finished CAM part.

    Model answer

    The CAD model is imported into CAM software, where tools, speeds and cutting paths are set. The software simulates the cut, converts it to machine code and sends it to the machine.

  3. 3

    What is a toolpath?

    Model answer

    A toolpath is the route the cutting tool follows to machine a part, generated by CAM software. The toolpath allows for the diameter of the cutter, the depth of cut and the feed rate.

  4. 4

    What is G-code?

    Model answer

    G-code is the programming language that tells a CNC machine where and how to move. The command G01, for example, makes a straight cutting move at a set feed rate.

  5. 5

    Why is a toolpath simulated on screen before machining?

    Model answer

    Simulation shows collisions, missed areas or gouges before any material is cut. Mistakes are corrected without scrapping material or damaging the machine.

  6. 6

    A CNC router cuts 12 parts from each sheet in 18 minutes, and each sheet takes 4 minutes to load and unload. How long does a batch of 240 parts take?

    Model answer

    The batch takes 440 minutes, which is 7 hours 20 minutes. The working is 240 ÷ 12 = 20 sheets, and 20 × (18 + 4) = 440 minutes.

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