UNIT I

INTRODUCTION
TO CAD-CAM

General Introduction
The machine tool automation really began only with the
development of numerical control in the 1950s.
We will consider manufacturing in three broad areas:
Continuous-process production.
Mass production.
Job-shop production.
Continuous-process
production:
Product that flows in a continuous stream falls into this
manufacturing category.
Typical processes include petroleum, cement, steel
rolling, petrochemical, and paper production, as well as
many others.
An obvious attribute of these processes is that the
production equipment is utilized for a relatively
small group of similar products.

Mass production
Attempts to emulate the characteristics of continuous-
flow production for discrete products that are produced
in high volumes with relatively small variations in
product. As a result, mass production has historically
realized many benefits from mechanization and
automation.


Discrete-item production is
used for such goods as
automobiles, television
sets, refrigerators,
electronic components, and
so on.
Produces a large number
of different discrete items
that require different
sequences through the
production equipment.
Because of the large
number of different
products and demands for
those products, scheduling
and routing problems are
enormous.
As a result, automation has at best been restricted to
individual components of the job shop, and there
have been few attempts to automate the entire facility
by integrating the islands of automation.
CAD and CAM are more
applicable to mass production of
discrete items, where segments
of the production line are often
quite automated, but not the
entire line. For example, spot
welding and painting in an
automobile line may be
completely automated using
robotics, but much assembly
work is accomplished by human
labor.
CAD, at its most basic, is a
geometric modeling system
used to produce two
dimensional or three
dimensional engineering
drawings in a computer. CAD is
the use of a computer to aid in
the total design process.
CAD, at its most basic, is a geometric
modeling system used to produce two
dimensional or three dimensional
engineering drawings in a computer.
CAD is the use of a computer to aid in
the total design process.

The primary use of CAD is in the three-dimensional
models from which engineering drawings and CNC part
programs are produced almost automatically. A
drawing is developed in the computer aided design
process, without the need to fabricate a prototype.

Increase productivity and create
a database for manufacturing.
Helps the designer or drafts
person to visualize a design on
the computer screen.
Software allows for analysis and
testing of components before
manufacturing the actual part.T


The increased use of CAD- based engineering analysis tools
such as "finite element analysis" has increased the quality
of product world wide. The automobile industry can make
cars that last longer, run cooler, and provide more
power/economy due - in great part - test models in a
computer before making the first part.
A cathode-ray oscilloscope was driven by a Lincoln TX2
computer to allow graphical information to be
displayed on a screen. Pictures could be drawn on the
screen and then manipulated using a light pen. Besant
calls this the inception of interactive graphics and Ivan
Sutherland the father of computer graphics.

Bert Sutherland at the
console of the TX-2.


Looking down the memory
bank to the console of the
TX-2 Computer.


The Evolution of CAM
There are two main applications for Computer-Aided
Manufacturing:
Where the computer directly controls a
manufacturing operation.
Where the computer is used to support the
manufacturing process.
The application most commonly associated with CAM is
CNC part programming.
The roots for automation of discrete-item production are
firmly embedded in the mass production concepts
developed by Henry Ford early in the twentieth century.

Digital computers have been used to control
manufacturing functions for more than 30 years:
Automobile traffic control
Product testing and quality control
Foundry control
Numerical control equipment interface
Space engineering research
Research
Others

Any form of control requires information to be gathered
from what is being controlled-say, the process; the
information gathered has to be analyzed to determine if
corrective action is needed; the process has to be
adjusted if corrective action is needed. This three-stage
control sequence comprises sensing - analysis - actuation.
1909: Ford production line. The original conveyorized
line set the pace for mass production concepts.
1923: Automatic transfer machines, was the key to a
completely mechanized production line, such as is used
for the manufacture of engine blocks.


1953: Numerical control (NC). Machining operations
are now widely controlled by numerical control
operations whereby tool positioning is accomplished
through computer commands.
1959: Control digital computer.
1960: Robot implementation. These innovations were
the precursors for the later widespread use of robots
in manufacturing processes.

1965: Production-line computer control. The line was
designed to use a control computer to supply
numerical control data for inserters and testers.





1970: Multiple-machine computer control. This brings
up the concepts of direct numerical control (DNC) and
computer numerical control (CNC).
1970-1972: Computer numerical control. The memory
capability led to the advent of distributed numerical
control.
1975-1980: Distributed numerical control. Is a concept
that is key to todays computer-aided manufacturing
advances in manufacturing cell control and flexible
manufacturing systems.
1980s: Manufacturing cells. The determination
of families and applicable equipment is most
often done by a technique called group
technology.
The evolution of CAD and CAM has taken place
over a relatively short time span. The
technological capabilities are awesome.
Machines have long had the capability of
changing their own tools, thus allowing a diverse
grouping of parts to be produced automatically.
The integration of all such
equipments requires the networking
of information, both design and
manufacturing. Further, to optimize
the cost/profit situation
automatically requires other
functions to be brought into the
picture, such as cost accounting.
All planning has to be in terms of
known customer orders and sales
forecasts.
Management decisions based on
expected orders lead to long-term
The aggregate planning function.
The master schedule is affected by
current status conditions,
The material requirements
planning (MRP)

Computer-aided design
Process planning
Dispatching
Production and assembly is accomplished with NC-
related equipment.
Finally, the shop-floor information systems.