| Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) refers to an | | | | Some of the major applications of the CAM system |
| automation process, which accurately converts | | | | are glass working, woodturning, metalworking and |
| product design and drawing or the object into a code | | | | spinning, and graphical optimization of the entire |
| format, readable by the machine to manufacture the | | | | manufacturing procedure. Production of the solids of |
| product. Computer aided manufacturing complements | | | | rotation, plane surfaces, and screw threads is done |
| the computer aided design (CAD) systems to offer a | | | | by applying CAM systems. |
| wide range of applications in different manufacturing | | | | A CAM system allows the manufacturing of |
| fields. CAM evolved from the technology utilized in | | | | three-dimensional solids, using ornamental lathes with |
| the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines that | | | | greater intricacy and detail. Products such as |
| were used in the early 1950s. CNC involved the use | | | | candlestick holders, table legs, bowls, baseball bats, |
| of coded instructions on a punched paper tape and | | | | crankshafts, and camshafts can be manufactured |
| could control single manufacturing functions. CAM | | | | using the CAM system. CAM system can also be |
| controlled computer systems, however, can control a | | | | applied to the process of diamond turning to |
| whole set of manufacturing functions simultaneously. | | | | manufacture diamond tipped cutting materials. |
| CAM allows work instructions and procedures to be | | | | Aspheric optical elements made from glass, crystals, |
| communicated directly to the manufacturing | | | | and other metals can also be produced using CAM |
| machines. A CAM system controls manufacturing | | | | systems. |
| operations performed by robotic milling machines, | | | | Computer aided manufacturing can be applied to the |
| lathes, welding machines and other industrial tools. It | | | | fields of mechanical, electrical, industrial and aerospace |
| moves the raw material to different machines within | | | | engineering. Applications such as thermodynamics, |
| the system by allowing systematic completion of | | | | fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, and kinematics can be |
| each step. Finished products can also be moved | | | | controlled using CAM systems. Other applications such |
| within the system to complete other manufacturing | | | | as electromagnetism, ergonomics, aerodynamics, and |
| operations such as packaging, synthesizing and | | | | propulsion and material science may also use |
| making final checks and changes. | | | | computer aided manufacturing. |