CAD - Computer Aided Design, CAM - Computer Aided Manufacturing, FMS - Flexible Manufacturing Systems, CIMS - Computer Aided Maufacturing Systems - CIMS

CAD - Computer Aided Design, CAM - Computer Aided Manufacturing, FMS - Flexible Manufacturing Systems, CIMS - Computer Aided Maufacturing Systems - CIMS

CAD (Computer-aided design) The use of a computer- to interact with a designer in developing and testing product ideas without actually building prototypes.

CAM (Computer-aided manufacturing ) The computer control of the manufacturing process, such as .determining tool movements and cutting speeds. NC is an old form of CAM ; robotics is a modern example. A robot is a programmable machine designed to handle materials or tools in the performance of a variety of tasks. CAD and CAM are separate disciplines.

In reality, CAD/CAM is a marriage of many engineering and manufacturing disciplines. It is computer-hardware oriented, but equally dependent upon specialized software united through a common data base.

Hardware: The component parts used to build a computer system.

Software: The information fed to a computer system (as distinct from its hardware) in the form of programs, languages, procedures, rules and associated documentation used in the operation of a data processing system.

Data processing: The performing of a systematic series of calculations or other logical operations or information in order to extract further information from them or to put them into a form suitable for controlling a numerically controlled machine or other equipment

Data base: A collection of data that is fundamental to an enterprise. Made up of comprehensive files of information Having  predetermined structure and organization and able to. be communicated, interpreted or processed by human or by automatic means.

CAD/CAM is a unified software system, in which the CAD portion is interfaced inside the computer with the CAM system. The end result of current CAD/CAM systems is usually a part program in the form of a list or a punched tape. In advanced CAD/CAM systems, part programs can be directly fed into the control computers of CNC machines and inspection stations.

The main concept of CAD/CAM systems is the generating of a common data base which is used for all the design and manufacturing  activities. These include (i) specifications of the product (ii) conceptual design (iii) final design (iv) drafting (v) manufacturing and (vi) inspection.

At each stage of this process, data can be added, modified, used and distributed over networks of terminals and computers. The single data base provides a substantial reduction in human errors and a significant shortening of the time required from the introduction of a concept of a product to the manufacturing of the final physical product. The size and capability of the required computer system depend on the complexity of the product.

When a CAD system and a CAM system share a common data base, the term CAD/CAM is often used. The integra­tion of CAD and CAM allows for important coordination between design and manufacturing and many benefits are. achieved through such integration. FMS

(Flexible Manufacturing System - FMS) Production with machines capable of making a different pro­duct without retooling or any similar changeover. Flexible manufacturing is usually carried out with numerically controlled machine tools, robots and conveyors under the control of a central computer. In FMS, two or more computer controlled machines are linked by handling devise The union of CAD, CAM and FMS represents the latest development in manufacturing, which is referred to as Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)