CADCAM Review

CAD/CAM: Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing

 

CAD Software:

  • AutoCAD
  • Inventor
  • SolidWorks

 

CAD/CAM Software:

  • Fusion 360
  • Esprit
  • MasterCAM
  • EdgeCAM
  • GibbsCam
  • BobCADCAM

 

Make Anything

Assume you can make anything as long as you can:

  • Hold The Workpiece
  • Cut It

But is it worth the time?

Is it safe?

 

Time IS Money

 

Machining Two Factors

Tool Life

Cycle Time

 

Machining Challenges

  • Chatter or deflection
  • WorkHolding
  • Machine & Tool Limits (Rigidity & Horse Power)

2D Geometry AKA Wire Frame:

  • DXF Files
  • DWG Files

 

Geometry (Wireframe or 2D Geometry)

  • Entity(Elements)
  • Lines 
  • Circles
  • Points
  • Rectangles
  • Arcs

Geometry Reference Tools

  • Workplane (Construction Plane)
  • Snap Points
  • Endpoints
  • Center Points
  • Reference Lines

 

Each individual segment is called an entity or an element.

A series of entities forming a rectangle is also considered an entity

 

3D Tools

  • Extrude
  • Revolve
  • Radius
  • Chamfers

 

Feature: a distinctive aspect of the geometry, shape or form of a component. 

Ex: A hole pattern, pocket, face, thread and etc.

 

Toolpath: The path that a tool moves about in the machining process.

 

Axis:a real or imaginary line on which something rotates, or a straight line around which things are evenly arranged. An example of axis is an imaginary line running through the earth on which the earth rotates.

 

Concentricity/ Concentric: 

 

What is the part used for? (Application & functionality)

What are the critical dimensions and features?

 

Making Parts:

  1. What are you making? (size,dimensions, tolerances)
  2. What stock material are you using? (size + material = grade)
  3. What machine are you going to make it on.
  4. Tools used
  5. Manufacturing process (order of operations/ workholding).

 

 

Also See: