CAM for Production Machining

Extending CAD/CAM Associativity To Suppliers
Many product manufacturers today are asking for suppliers' help in cutting costs and shortening the product development cycle. These companies know that someone intricately familiar with the machining process can evaluate a product design to minimiz...

Transferring CAD/CAM Files
Importing and exporting CAD files is a fundamental function of CAM software. An understanding of this process can help you know what to expect and will aid you when making a CAM purchase.

Smart And Efficient
Deft use of macros for 'family-of-features' NC programming allows this compressor manufacturer to do in minutes what once took hours, and get more consistent machining processes in the bargain.

Tying It All Together
This combination product line manufacturer and job shop is a classic example of an environment that calls for a fully integrated CAD/CAM system.

The Flow Through CAM
The route from CAD to CAM to CNC can meet blockage both upstream and downstream from the programmer. However, this shop cleared away most of the obstacles to efficient electronic transfer just by updating its CAM system. The results include a new le...

Taking The Broad View On CAD/CAM Functionality
It is a complete CADD through CAM system that includes the SolidWorks solid modeler, multiple-surface milling, tool path simulation and verification, photorealistic rendering and animation

New CAM Technology Links Knowledge And Solid Modeling
Some CAM developers are beginning to integrate the power of solid modeling with intelligent manufacturing applications that "know" how shops want to machine their parts.

Interpolating Curves
The ability to import complex curves into CNCs promises to let shops finally get beyond old limitations imposed by contouring with linear interpolation. Faster and smoother cutting will be the result.

Programming For High Speed Machining
You'll have to change your NC programming strategy for high speed machining. Here are some quick tips, and some features to look for in your CAM system.

Pushbutton NC Programming
With numerical control (NC), shops learned how to automate the machining process. Now, with today's CAM software, they are learning how to automate the NC programming process.