Applications of CAD/CAM

There are tons of applications of CAD and CAM, and together both of them can do wonders! Let’s look at the importance of CAD first. Other than giving a platform to your ideas, CAD has many other functions too, like Solid Modelling, Surface Modelling, Assembly, Drafting Detailing, Reverse Engineering, etc. 

1. Solid Modelling – It is a set of principles that remain consistent, for mathematical and computer modeling of three-dimensional solids. It is the modeling of a three-dimensional object on a computer. It allows the design, creation, visualization, and animation of 3D models. 
2. Surface Modelling – It is a mathematical technique for solid appearing objects. The process requires you to convert between different 3D modeling types, such as converting the 3D object to show procedural surfaces, validate imperfections, and apply smoothness.
3. Assembly – Assembly modeling is a technology and method used by computer-aided design and product visualization computer software systems to handle multiple files that represent components within a product. The components within an assembly are represented as solid or surface models.
4.  Drafting Detailing – This process is used to create the 2D drawings of components or assemblies; usually directly from a 3D model, although 2D CAD can create 2D drawings directly
5. Reverse Engineering – It is the process of drawing a 3D design of an already ready product. It sometimes instruments like laser scanner, white light scanner, CMM is also used. 

CAM also has many important functions. Some of them are – Plotter/cutters, Laser cutting, 2.5D Milling, 3D Milling, Turning.

1. Plotter/cutters – Using a 2D CAD drawing, these machines can cut out 2D shapes on paper, cardboard, etc
2. Laser cutters – they can cut out 2D shapes on harder materials like the card, plywood, acrylic sheet, textiles, glass.
3. 2.5D Milling – A 2.5D machine possesses the capability to translate in all three axes but can perform the cutting operation only in two of the three axes at a time due to hardware or software limitations, or a machine that has a solenoid instead of a true, linear Z-axis
4. 3D Milling – This type of milling has no limitations and can perform the cutting operation in all three axes. 
5. Turning – It’s the process to remove material, to reduce the diameter of an object. It can be successfully done with the help of CAM. 

The key benefits of CAD/CAM 

• increased range of design ideas 
• improved accuracy 
• ease of modification 
• repeatability of output
• quality of output
• reduction of wastage

Some industries where CAD/CAM software is used are – aerospace, dentistry, automobile, fashion design, and forensics.