Getting from Idea to Part: CAD – CAM – Cutting

Concept

Getting from a conceptual idea to a realized part is an important process to understand, whether you’re a maker looking to invent something for the world or a design engineer looking to get a new project off the ground. Once an idea is developed, the process turns to CAD (computer aided design). Using programs like Fusion 360, OnShape, or Solidworks, 3D models are created to provide a virtual version of your idea.

Programming

With a finished CAD model, we turn to CAM (computer aided manufacturing), which is a type of software that helps to determine tools, tool paths, and the proper manufacturing process for your model. Are you looking to create a bunch of parts really fast? Or, are you concerned about the quality of the final finish? These are elements that get taken into consideration when developing a CAM program. Once the CAM program is complete, post-processing occurs, which correlates your CAM program to a specific machine. This creates the programming language that is understood by the machine tool controller (PathPilot), also known as G-code. During this process, the proper workholding must also be determined. Workholding is a vital, and often understated part of the product development process. Holding a part safely and efficiently can make an impacting difference in the end result. CAM has an intimidating appearance, but with the help of blogs like SprutCAM America, it’s a breeze for even novice users.

Making Chips

Arguably, this is everybody’s favorite part of the process – clamping a stock piece of material onto the machine tool and pulling a finished part off, while making piles of chips in between. Whether you’re building something, 3D printing layer by layer, or milling out material from a solid block of metal, holding your idea as a physical part is what it’s all about. CNC-Infographic-CAD-CAM-Poster-VS3