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Unit 11 Automating Manufacturing Systems
More recent practice accepts CAD as standing for all drafting,
design, and analyzing functions.
CAM is the use of computer technology in the manage-
ment and control of manufacturing operations. CAM
operation is concerned with one or both of the following:
✲ Computer process control. This is the process of
using mechanical and electronic means (NC machines
and robots, for example) to change the shape, size, or
composition of materials.
✲ Manufacturing support. This is the processing of data
including such things as machine status, part counts,
and processing variables.
CAM uses a computer to assist in monitoring and con-
trolling either or both components of manufacturing oper-
ations. See Figure 34-8. Computers may be used to direct
machines through a series of steps to process materials.
Also, computers may gather and process data about the
effectiveness of an operation.
Much more may be said about CAD and CAM opera-
tions. They will be the focus of the next two chapters of this
book.
computer-aided
manufacture (CAM).
A system that uses
computer technology
in the management
and control of
manufacturing
operations.
Figure 34-7. Computer-aided design is used for engineering design, design analysis, and design presentation
activities.
Controlling Manufacturing Processes
Providing Manufacturing Support
Figure 34-8. Computer-aided manufactur-
ing involves controlling operation and
processing manufacturing data.
(Battenfeld Inc., AT&T Co.)