Sequence №1:

Introduction to CAD/CAM

Lecturer Dr. Ahmed Shammari

 1.1 CAD Defined

What does CAD stand for ?

Computer – aided design is a term which
means many things to many people.
To some, it means computer – aided drafting
or drawing (CADD).
To others, it means computer-aided analysis
And to still others, it suggests totally
automated design where the engineer
need specify only the function of a part
and the computer arrives optimal design
1.1 CAD Defined

Actually, CAD is all of the above

(CAD) can be defined as the use of computer

system to assist in the creation,
modification, analysis, or optimization of
design.
1.2 CAM Defined

❑ Computer - aided manufacturing (CAM)

can be defined as the use of computer
systems to plan, manage, and control the
operation of a manufacturing plant
through either direct or indirect computer
interface with the plant‘s production
resources.
1.3 An overview of CAD/CAM

What does CAD/CAM stand for ?

CAD/CAM is a term which means

computer – aided design and computer –
aided manufacturing. It is the technology
concerned with the use of digital computers
to perform certain functions in design and
production.
1.3 An overview of CAD/CAM

CAD/CAM technology is moving in direction of

greater integration of design and
manufacturing, two activates which have
traditionally been treated as distinct and
separate functions in a production firm.

Ultimately, CAD/CAM will provided the

technology base for the computer-integrated
factory of the future.
1.4 historical perspective

When was CAD/CAM developed ?

One of the significant initial project in the area

of computer graphics was the development of
the APT language at MIT in the middle and late
1950s.
This project was concerned with developing a
suitable way to define geometry elements for
numerical control part programming using the
computer.
1.4 historical perspective

• During the early 1960, Ivan Sutherland work

on a project at MIT called “ Sketchpad
• Sutherland presented a paper on some of his
results at the Fall Joint Computer Conference
in 1963s.
• The sketchpad project is significant because
it represents one of the first demonstrations
of the creation and manipulation of images in
real time on a CRT screen.
1.4 historical perspective

When was CAM developed ?

Conventional NC is based largely on the

pioneering work of a man named John T.
Parsons. In the late 1940s, Parsons
conceived a method of using punched
cards containing coordinate position
data to control a machine tool.
1.4 historical perspective

• And this machine was directed to move in

small increments, Thus generating the
desired surface of an airfoil.

• In 1948, Parsons demonstrated his concept

to the U.S. Air Force, which subsequently
sponsored a series of research projects at
the Servomechanisms laboratory of the
MIT.
1.5 The applications of CAM

The applications of CAM fall into two broad

categories:

❑ Computer monitoring and control. These are

the direct applications in which the computer is
connected directly to the manufacturing process
for the purpose of monitoring or controlling the
process.

❑ Manufacturing support applications. These are

the indirect applications in which the computer is
used in support of the production operations in the
plan, but there is no direct interface between the
computer and the manufacturing process.
 Process data

Computer Process

Fig. 1.1 Computer monitoring

Process data

Computer Control signals Process

Fig.1.2 Computer control

 Process data

Control signals Mfg

Computer
Process

Fig. 1.3 CAM for manufacturing support

1.6 The product cycle and CAD/CAM

For the reader to appreciate the

scope of CAD/CAM in the operations
of a manufacturing firm, it is
appropriate to examine the various
activities and functions that must be
accomplished in the design and
manufacturing of a product. We will
refer to these activities and function
as a product cycle.
 Product Design Drafting
Concept engineering

Customers Order new

and Equipment Process
Markets and Planning
Tooling

Quality Production Production

Control Scheduling

Fig.1.4 Product cycle (design and manufacturing)

1.7 Automation and CAD/CAM

Automation is the technology

concerned with the application of
complex mechanical, electronic, and
computer – base systems in the
operation and control production.
1.7 Automation and CAD/CAM

Production automation activity can be

divided into four categories:

❑ Continuous – flow processes

❑ Mass production of discrete products
❑ Batch production
❑ Job shop production
1.7 Automation and CAD/CAM

Continuous process industries involve the

continuous production of a large amounts of
a products such as continuous chemical
plants.
This technology is fully computer automated
plants with use sensor technology to
measure important process variables and
optimization strategies.
 1.7 Automation and CAD/CAM

The major characteristic of mass production is

large volume production runs of relatively few
products. All products are highly standardized.
Typically, demand is stable for the products
and the product design change very little over
the short to medium term. Examples of this
system include automobiles and engine block.
 1.7 Automation and CAD/CAM

Batch production ‘s main characteristic is

medium volume production runs a range of
products. Examples include book, clothing, and
certain industrial machinery. Numerical control
and computer numerical control are used in
this system of automation .
 1.7 Automation and CAD/CAM

The main characteristic of jobbing shop

production is very low volume production runs
of many different products. These products
have a very low level of standardization.
Examples include prototypes, aircraft, machine
tools
Numerical control, direct numerical control,
computer numerical control are used in this
system of automation .
 Continuous
– flow
processes
Production Mass
quantity production

Batch
production

Job shop
production

Product
variety

Fig. 1.5 Four production types related to quantity and product variation
1.8 Benefits of CAD/CAM system

• Improved engineering productivity

• Improved accuracy of design
• Shorter lead time
• Reduced engineering personal requirements
• Improved productivity in tool design
• Better knowledge of cost provided
• Reduced training time for routine drafting tasks and NC part
programming
• Fewer errors in NC part programming
• Save materials and machining time by optimization algorithms
• Assistance in inspection of complicated parts.
• Better communication interfaces and greater understanding
among engineers.
 Summary

✔ CAD/CAM is the technology concerned with the

use of digital computers to perform certain
functions in design and production.
✔ CAM have on - line application which called
computer monitoring and control
✔ CAM also have off – line application which called
Manufacturing support applications
✔ The foundation for the application of computers
in the product development process is the
development of models of products using (CAD).
Information from these models then forms the
basis for design analysis, for planning of the
manufacturing activity, and for the control of
machines which manufacturing the products.